St Winefride's Well

Holywell, United Kingdom

St Winefride's Well is a healing spring that has been visited by pilgrims for more than a thousand years. Known as the 'Lourdes of Wales', it is still probably the oldest continually visited pilgrimage site in Great Britain.

The healing waters have been said to cause miraculous cures. The legend of Saint Winifred tells how, in AD 660, Caradoc, the son of a local prince, severed the head of the young Winifred after she spurned his advances. A spring rose from the ground at the spot where her head fell and she was later restored to life by her uncle, Saint Beuno.

Richard I visited the site in 1189 to pray for the success of his crusade, and Henry V was said by Adam of Usk to have travelled there on foot from Shrewsbury in 1416.

In the late 15th century, Lady Margaret Beaufort had built a chapel overlooking the well, which now opens onto a pool where visitors may bathe. Some of the structures at the well date from the reign of King Henry VII or earlier. Later, King Henry VIII caused the shrine and saintly relics to be destroyed, but some have been recovered to be housed at Shrewsbury and Holywell.

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Founded: c. 660 AD
Category: Religious sites in United Kingdom

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Silencio Nomus (18 months ago)
Despite my name I'm not of this religious background, but I do like architecture. This quiet spot is a bit of a unique example of medieval European religious building. There is also centuries of graffiti on the old stone, which adds a layer, in my opinion. Very interesting. Other than this—unless you are very religious—then it's a bit of a wash, so to speak. I understand that you can bathe there, but the water looked the sort I would be very cautious about dipping my toes in. I guess the church has its own safety board! The gift shop is another story.Very chintzy stuff for the most part. However a bit of redemption: I happened to be there with a young family member. For some odd reason he (a second-year school project, I think) fell in love with the Madagascarean Sifaka—a type of lemur. Amongst the relics of this gift shop was a fridge magnet with said beast standing rampant and proudly chanting "I LIKE TO MOVE IT MOVE IT!!" The child went mad for this! Hilarious! I don't know what divine intervention allowed for both such an unlikely situating of this magnet in this sparse shop, PLUS the unlikely and careless substitution of this child's favourite animal in place of the film's ring-tailed lemur, but it's appreciated. He now has a fridge magnet—and I have this bizarre story.
Louise B, Wales, UK (18 months ago)
An incredibly peaceful place. With a little Chapel, museum, gift shop, healing water to bathe in - all set in beautiful grounds. Really friendly staff too. Do give it a visit if you've never been before. A little gem withing North Wales!
Aadhar Dmt (19 months ago)
You can actually feel the high energy in the shrine. Its a small quiet place for a quick visit. Take your water bottles to fill up some fresh water. Serene peaceful shrine.
Deborah Surridge (2 years ago)
What an amazing place & just £1. There is a shop, toilets,a few parking spaces at the church or just across the road & not far from the small town. Well worth a visit.
Somayyeh (2 years ago)
Tranquil place and can be a quick visit. You can also drink the water and at certain times or go inside the small pool.
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