The spring was buried in 1960 during the construction of the Doncaster By-Pass and the well was relocated away from its original location, being placed alongside the highway on a concrete foundation.

[5][6] When in its original location, according to letters by Roger Gale in John Nichols topographical book of Britain,[7] recorded that there was an epigram in Latin that read: and translates as: The site next to the Great North Road was shown on the maps for the journey from London to in tourist guide, British High Roads (arranged for the use of tourists).

[8] And also featured on the maps in the book, "An actual survey of the Great Post Roads between London and Edinburgh", by the geographer Mostyn John Armstrong.

[9] The stone structure known today as Robin Hood's Well was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1710.

Barnsdale Forest had been associated with the legend of Robin Hood for centuries at the time of its construction, so Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle had the well named after the figure in an attempt to solidify the area's identity as the home of the myths.