Ashwell Springs

An attractive natural feature are 'The Springs', a perennial source of the River Cam. The cool water of the chalk springs contain a rare species of stenothermic flatworm (Platyhelminthes; Tricladida) associated with cold surface waters or subterranean groundwater that is only known from this location within East Anglia. The springs now depend upon artificial flow augmentation during drier periods, due to the impact of local groundwater abstraction from the chalk aquifer for public water supply. Once a thriving local brewery had enough water to produce beer for Fordhams, and that source still remains. An opportunity for the village of Ashwell to compete with its water on a global thriving bottled water market.