Salt'S Hole

Salt's Hole is a salt spring well house built in 1859. It is constructed of brick, rendered and lined to resemble ashlar above a brick plinth, and features a slate roof. The building is octagonal in shape and has small side buttresses. The central door has a two-centred arch, with trefoil-headed windows on either side, all framed with ashlar surrounds. The bargeboards are intricately carved and have timber pendents at the angles. At the apex of the roof, there is a turned wood finial. Inside, there is a simple fireplace on the back wall and a flat plaster ceiling. At the rear, there are two 2-light windows located above the ceiling. The well is situated in the center and is capped with iron-bound stone. An inscription above the door reads: "THE ANCIENT /SALT'S HOLE/SULPHATED AND BROMO-IODATED/SALINE WATER/ANALYSED BY D VOELKER 1860." This building, along with the adjoining Spa Cottage in Purton, is based on the saline spring that is rich in phosphate of lime.