A few more photos of the incredible well discovered on the Universal Studios UK site… and yes, someone actually commented asking if it was AI!
Just to clear things up — I don’t create AI images of the site. Every photo I share is taken by me. I may colour grade them and occasionally crop them to improve the image, but the photos themselves are never manipulated or generated.
This discovery really is as fascinating as it looks.
The well dates back to 1873, a time when the Bedford Cow Meadow racecourse was still active, although it was nearing the end of its life. Interestingly, just one year later in 1874, the area was also used as the Royal Horticultural Society’s showground, so there is a possibility the well could have been connected to that use of the land.
The well itself is around 24 metres deep, making it an incredible piece of history hidden beneath the ground for over 150 years.
Sadly, it’s likely that once the archaeological work is complete, the well will be capped and preserved underground rather than remaining visible. Its location appears to be close to, or possibly within, the future route of the road linking Kempston Hardwick station with Ampthill Road, which is planned as part of the wider infrastructure improvements.
It’s amazing to think that while one of the biggest construction projects in the UK is taking place, we’re also uncovering little pieces of Bedfordshire’s past along the way.
