New on eBay, an 1859 cutting from Leek, in which the town council discuss their liability for the upkeep of footpaths. It reveals to posterity that a footpath to Lady Dale Well was still being frequently used by the townspeople.

This must be what is now called the Lady O’th’dale Well, located about a mile south of the town centre. According to the official listing record for it, the wellhead stone was erected 1855. The record for it also notes “may be associated with an early shrine“.

“Leek: Leek and Lowe” in British History Online has…

The spring south of the town to the east of the Cheddleton road was evidently named in honour of Our Lady in the Middle Ages. The area was known as Lady Wall Dale in the late 16th century, and the spring is now called as Lady o’ th’ Dale well. A 19th-century stone structure survives there.

That there was much use of it seems obvious from the clipping about the well-worn footpath. That there was some sort of veneration is clear from the Catholic naming, which obviously references Mary, and the 16th century dating of this in a document shows the association was made by 1587.

The site was visited in 2014 by pixyledpublications who posted a report on holyandhealingwells.com, adding some useful context …

there was a farm belonging to Dieulacres Abbey along the Cheddleton Road, but the presence of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic church above the well and 19th century fabric suggests it was developed by the local Catholic community. Indeed, a May Day procession was taken by children from the church every May Day, although when it ceased is unclear. … The approach to the well has been improved with a wooden walkway and it appears to be well preserved.

In 2019 planners rejected a planning application for eight new homes there…

“it is considered that the application would result in significant and demonstrable harm to protected species, habitats and the Lady Dale Local Wildlife Site”.