It became fashionable in the 18th
century for wealthy people to visit places with mineral
springs to "take the waters". There were different
types of springs each with a different mineral in the water, and these
were thought to be good for different kinds of ailments.
The springs around Llandrindod Common had been visited since the 17th
century at least, and the tradesmen of Builth were hopeful that springs
around Builth could be found which would attract visitors there.
Mineral springs were found one mile outside the town, and hopes were high that these could be developed. A visitor who came to take the waters at the Park Wells at Builth in 1747 said they tasted strongly of sulphur and smelled "like gunpowder".
