in the 17th and 18th centuries the town gained a reputation for the efficacy of its water. in the 19th century it became established as a fashionable spa town, with the construction of ben rhydding hydro, a hydropathic establishment at wheatley, a mile to the east, between 1843 and 1844. charles darwin underwent hydropathic treatment at wells house when his book "on the origin of species" was published on 24 november 1859, whilst staying with his family at north view house (now hillside court). tourists flocked to 'take the waters' and bathe in the cold-water spring. wheatley was renamed ben rhydding after the hydro, which has been demolished.