Across a small bridge, there’s an entrance to Nine Wells. This isn’t just any bridge. This is the Nine Wells Bridge. Today we are going to explore the fascinating story of the Nine Wells Bridge. It connects us to a place of natural springs and historical significance.
Nine Wells is a Local Nature Reserve east of Trumpington. It lies on the southern outskirts of Cambridge. The Nine Wells Bridge allows us to cross over to this special place. It’s a small area of woodland surrounded by agricultural land. Multiple springs issue from the base of a chalk hill here. They feed Hobson’s Conduit. This watercourse was built between 1610 and 1614. Thomas Hobson and other benefactors created it. They wanted to bring fresh water into the city of Cambridge.
The springs at Nine Wells were crucial. They provided clean water to Cambridge for over 250 years. Water still flows into the city today. It even waters the lake in the Botanic Garden.
In 1265, a defensive channel called the King’s Ditch was excavated around Cambridge. By the early 17th century, this ditch had become an open sewer. Andrew Perne, Master of Peterhouse, had an idea in 1574. He wanted to construct a channel to bring water to the ditch. Hobson’s Conduit was constructed from 1610. It used the natural springs at Nine Wells to create a flow of water. This flow flushed the King’s Ditch. This not only sanitised the city but also became its principal water supply.
The dominant trees at Nine Wells are beech trees. They were originally planted for firewood. However, their acidic leaf fall in autumn is detrimental. It causes heavy silting and changes in oxygen levels. The hedgerow enclosing the reserve was planted after the Great Shelford Inclosure Act 1834. It comprises native species like hawthorn, spindle, and field maple. A survey found that 108 plant species grow here. The area also contains numerous mature ash trees and blackthorn. Scented sweet violets and bluebells bloom early in the year. Cowslips and deadly nightshade appear later.
Nine Wells was once a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It was known for its relic aquatic invertebrates. The drought of 1976 and increased water abstraction caused some extinctions. Nine Wells lost its SSSI status. Efforts are underway to recreate favorable conditions. They aim to re-establish a richer invertebrate fauna. New building in the area potentially threatens this habitat patch. Active management is needed. This keeps the streams suitable for bullhead fish. These fish provide food for kingfishers. Beech leaves must be cleared from the streams. This stops the water from becoming too acidic.
These woods are home to various bird species. They include chaffinch, robin, yellowhammer, greenfinch, and blackbird. Chiffchaffs visit during the summer. The site is an important refuge for birds. Sparrowhawks, green woodpeckers, and long-tailed tits have been recorded here. Bullfinches and redwings are also seen. It’s a good site for butterflies including peacocks and brimstones.
Within the reserve stands a monument to Hobson’s Conduit. It was erected in 1861 by public subscription. The monument records the benefactors to the water course and conduit. They include Thomas Chaplin, Stephen Perse, Thomas Hobson, Edward Potto, and Joseph Merrill. The obelisk is a Grade II listed building.
Nine Wells is south of Addenbrooke’s Hospital. It is east of the railway line and the genome cycle track. It is near the village of Great Shelford.
Nine Wells is a Local Geological Site. It was designated because of its unique blend of geology, geomorphology, hydrology, ecology, history, and education value. It is also a Local Nature Reserve managed by the Cambridge City Council. This ensures conservation and public access. Nine Wells springs are a good example of those in the south of the county. They occur along the spring line at the level of the Totternhoe Stone, locally known as the Burwell Rock.
The landscape here is marked by a change of slope. It lies between the chalkland to the south and the flat land to the north. The rocks are the source of spring waters. They rise from fissures in a hard band of Totternhoe Stone.
The Nine Wells Bridge offers more than just a crossing. It offers access to a place where history and nature intertwine. As you cross the Nine Wells Bridge, remember the stories it holds. Think of the people who worked to bring clean water to Cambridge. Consider the unique geology and ecology that make this place special. The Nine Wells Bridge connects us to a vital part of Cambridge’s past and present.