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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Details

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

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Becky McGregor (4 months ago)
Beauuuutiful place! So much history. A wonderful place to visit, so easy to get to from Chester. £1 student entry which was great.
Lee Bates (5 months ago)
Skipped the dip, but soaking up the 7th-century vibes was enough! This place has drawn pilgrims since 660 AD, honoring St. Winefride and her miraculous spring, which legend says sprang up after she was miraculously restored to life. The site has weathered everything from medieval wars to victorian upgrades, yet still feels like stepping back in time. Perfect spot if you’re keen on a slice of Welsh history and divine atmosphere—no trunks required!
Helen and David Brown (6 months ago)
Interesting insight into the start of the local town that bears its name: the Holy Well. The source of the holy water that allegedly cured St Winifred of decapitation, leaving only a scar. You can bathe in the water at selected times through the day. You may also fill a choice of containers with the water for a small fee. An on-site museum gives more details about the legend and the history.
Rachel Dews (7 months ago)
What a place! There is a free car park on the other side of the road slightly further down the hill. There is a small museum at the entrance, and staff, where you can pay. The museum had some interesting artefacts, as well as a small shop area selling religious tokens, prayers, candles, bibles etc. It cost us £3 for 2 adults and a child to enter, but I couldn't see any signs showing prices. Once you enter the shrine/well area, there is a small chapel where you can buy tea light candles for 25p to light. The well itself is quite something, it's just a shame there are metal barriers around it all, but I assume they have had issues with people entering the water. There are set times where you can enter the water, but I'm not sure if you have to inform the staff.
yellowsandydog (8 months ago)
I've visited this shrine several times. It's a fascinating place. I haven't yet taken a dip in the holy water but maybe I will when weather and bathing times permit. It was good that we take some drinkable holy water back for my mother-in-law.
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