Springs

The springs at Abbey Farm are fed by rainfall on the surrounding landscape. Rain that neither evaporates nor is taken up by growing plants soaks through the soil and underlying chalk. When the water table in the chalk reaches the level of the springs, the springs start to flow
Most springs here typically flow from December to July each year. Others have a shorter season, while a few rarely stop
The water table in the chalk, and so the flow of the springs, is largely determined by rainfall during late autumn-early spring when most plants are dormant. Usually, all the rain during the plant growing season evaporates or is taken up by plants
The springs vary from tiny seepages in earth banks to holes in stream floors 5cm wide that flow strongly
Water abstraction from the chalk for public water supply may have affected water flow from the springs