Foxton Softwell Pump

Image: © Roger Greenhalgh Taken: 31 Dec 2022

The Foxton area has always had many fresh water springs. A well to the east of the village has long been famous for its supply of soft water. A pump was installed at the well for village use many years ago, and the road leading to it became known as Softwell Lane. This pump not only supplied residents with fresh water, but it was also used by the many laundries established in Foxton. This was to cater for the numerous wealthy visitors to the village who came for the Fox Hunting Season after the arrival of the railway in the 19th century. The original pump fell out of use at the end of WW2, after the village houses had become connected to the mains water supply. This replica pump has been installed at the site of the original as a feature of the Softwell Lane Nature Reserve in memory of Derek Lewin, local historian and village benefactor. Derek fetched water from the soft well when he lived in Foxton as a little boy. Work on the replica pump and nature reserve has been carried out by volunteers from Foxton village, the Conservation Volunteers and with advice from Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.

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