A gilded elephant stands on top of the cast iron machinery of this unique Victorian well at Stoke Row, Oxfordshire, an amazing gift from an Indian prince.

The 368-foot deep well, under its domed canopy (made by a foundry in Wallingford), was paid for by the Maharajah of Benares (now Varanasi). He had met the young Edward Reade, the local squire, who spent many years in India where among other work he helped to sink a well for a village in Benares. He told the Maharajah that drought conditions also occurred on parts of the Chilterns.

Mark Boden

May 13, 2020

Road cycling

The well sits in the pretty little village of Stoke Row.

The 368-foot deep well, under its domed canopy (made by a foundry in Wallingford), was paid for by the Maharajah of Benares (now Varanasi). He had met the young Edward Reade, the local squire, who spent many years in India where among other work he helped to sink a well for a village in Benares. He told the Maharajah that drought conditions also occurred on parts of the Chilterns.

The Chilterns Cycling Guide

May 31, 2020

Road cycling

At Stoke Row you will find The Maharajah's Well. Opened in 1864 and dug mostly by hand; it took over a year to complete and is deeper than double the height of Nelsom's Column.

Routes here

Best Hikes to Maharajah's Well and the Golden Elephant Statue

4.4

(9)

hikers

1. English Farm Barns – English Lane Bridleway loop from Stoke Row

6.57km

01:45

70m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.8

(5)

hikers

2. The Crooked Billet, Stoke Row – Stoke Row Store & Coffee Shop loop from Checkendon

8.17km

02:10

80m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

5.0

(6)

hikers

3. The Cherry Tree Inn – Moss-Covered Horse Sculpture loop from Stoke Row

9.63km

02:33

90m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 170 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 28 January

8°C

1°C

17 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

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Location: Stoke Row, South Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, South East England, England, United Kingdom

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Maharajah's Well and the Golden Elephant Statue

1. English Farm Barns – English Lane Bridleway loop from Stoke Row

2. The Crooked Billet, Stoke Row – Stoke Row Store & Coffee Shop loop from Checkendon

3. The Cherry Tree Inn – Moss-Covered Horse Sculpture loop from Stoke Row

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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