Local tradition (recorded by RC Hope in his The Legendary Lore of the Holy Wells of England in 1893) says the name arose when Julius Caesar, invading Britain, saw a hart drinking at this site.

The water was reputed to cure weak eyes and other complaints such as rheumatism.

Today the well still flows and nearby is built a rather curious Egyptian folly that has an hieroglyphic inscription proclaiming the virtues of good living.