Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, the Physic Well is currently closed.
The Physic Well comprises a seventeenth century underground well chamber, over which a Tudor-style building was erected by the Council in 1937. Over the years this fell into disrepair, and between April and November 2018, extensive restoration work was overseen by Barnet Museum, funded by Barnet Council and Historic England, with support from the Heritage of London Trust.
The Physic Well comprises a seventeenth century underground well chamber, over which a Tudor-style building was erected by the Council in 1937. Over the years this fell into disrepair, and between April and November 2018, extensive restoration work was overseen by Barnet Museum, funded by Barnet Council and Historic England, with support from the Heritage of London Trust.
The refurbishment work included replacing rotten timber, installing a rainwater collection system, fitting glass window panes, replacing the roof with handmade clay tiles and installing lighting. Barnet Physic Well is a mineral water spring which was thought to have therapeutic qualities. It was popular from the later seventeenth century through the eighteenth century, and its visitors included Samuel Pepys, who wrote about the visit in his diary.
In 2019 the Well will be open on the third Saturday of each month and admission is free. We can also open the Well for group visits. Please email physicwell@barnetmuseum.co.uk to find out more. The Well is managed by volunteers from Barnet Museum who run regular public openings, giving everyone free access to this little known part of Barnet's heritage.
Please be aware that the Physic Well is in a relatively small underground room and is reached by steep stone steps.
Please be aware that the Physic Well is in a relatively small underground room and is reached by steep stone steps.
Barnet Physic Well is on the corner of Well Approach and Pepys Crescent.