How often have you sighed and said: ‘I wish…’ Well, has it ever come true? Of course, there’s always some killjoy who’ll say: ‘Be careful what you wish for.’

Well, you never know, you could be lucky. So, if there’s something you really wish for, you might like to try this. Pop into the Bridewell Tearoom at Wymondham Heritage Museum for some refreshment. As you enter, you’ll see the wishing well. Drop a coin in, make your wish then relax with your cuppa and homemade scone. It may not come true straight away so be patient. I’ve tried it and I’m waiting with eager anticipation.

The well is four feet in diameter and 23 feet deep. It was sunk in 1848 when that part of The Bridewell was built to accommodate the town’s constable and his family. It was rediscovered in 1995 during restoration work.

Nineteenth century prisoners probably had little or no money, but if they had, they would probably have dropped a halfpenny in the well and wished they could have escaped. The well is emptied regularly and the spoils go into museum funds. Sums of around £50 have been dragged from the depths together with assorted bits and pieces including on one occasion some pens!

Wishing wells date back thousands of years in European folklore. They were the main source of pure drinking water, considered the key to life. Our ancestors believed that the water housed deities or had been placed there as a gift from the gods so if they said a wish out loud or concentrated while drinking the water, a wish would be granted.

But the gods would not give something for nothing, so coins were dropped into the well. But as coins could contaminate the drinking water, sometimes food was left beside the well instead. But if you make a wish in the museum’s well, please don’t leave a slice of homemade cake on the side.

What did I wish for? I’m not telling you, but you might get a clue if you see me looking rather prosperous.

*The Bridewell Tearoom is open Monday to Friday, 1pm to 4pm. Entrance to the Tearoom is free but you may ‘wish’ to take the opportunity to visit the museum where normal admission rates apply.