St Winefride's
Church and Sacred Well
has been a place of pilgrimage for over a thousand years and
although the belief in the healing power of sacred waters has become
rare, t
he spring which flows from the hillside below the town of Holywell
continues to attract substantial numbers of pilgrims.
Winefride, the niece of St Beuno, was pursued by the over amorous Prince
Caradoc, but Winefride resisted his advances and fled to her uncle for
safety. Prince Caradoc was furious and hacked off her head which rolled
down a steep slope. Waters gushed from the place where it came
to rest. St Beuno came forth from his church and restored the head to
Winefride's shoulders, and the evil Prince Caradoc was swallowed up by
the ground.
The buildings we know today were built by Lady Margaret Beaufort in
the early 16th century in thanks-giving for the victory
of her son Henry Tudor over King Richard III at Bosworth Field.
They are not of the usual style of old Welsh Churches found on this website
being built of dressed sandstone and in the perpendicular style and they
definitely have a more English or Border country look to them.
Located below the small town of Holywell on a steep hillside there are
a number of buildings associated with the Church and Sacred Well of St
Winefride. The spring itself is housed in a Well Chamber that forms the
basement to St Winefride's Chapel. The waters flow from the Well Chamber
to an outdoor bathing pool.
The Chapel itself has a battlemented look to it and there are beautiful
corbels with fine carvings of animals which unfortunately are now showing
signs of ageing.
(The churches of St Peter's in Northop and St
Mary the Virgin in Mold were also built by Lady Margaret Beaufort
and have the same perpendicular style and fine carved sandstone).
Next to the Chapel is the Church of St James which was much restored
in the 18th century and may be on the site of the original church of St
Beuno.
On the lower slopes of the site there is a modern interpretive centre
displaying information boards on the story of St Winefride. You are able
to buy bottles of the Sacred Water for a small sum.
TIP ! Take your own container and fill it from the pump adjacent to the
pool.
St Winefride's is said to be the finest example of a medieval holy well
in Britain, and, the well is regarded both as one of the seven wonders
of Wales, and as the nation's equivalent of Lourdes.
The Church / Chapel is variously spelled as Winefride's, Winifred's, Wenefride's
and the Welsh version Gwenffrewi.
Opening Times - The Shrine is open daily throughout the year,
with the exception of Christmas Day. Opening times for the Holywell complex,
the Interpretive Exhibition, and the Shop are as follows:
1 April - 30 September: Sunday -- Friday 09.00 - 17.30
Saturday 09.00 - 17.00
1 October - 31 March: Sunday - Saturday 10.00 - 16.00
The Museum is open between 12.00 and 16.00, on Wednesdays, Saturdays
and Sundays from 1 April until 30 September, or at all other times by
prior appointment.
Admission Charges - Adult: £0.60 (over 60: £0.40); Child:£0.20;
Family (2+3): £1.50; Student (with student card): £0.20 There
are no additional charges to the Interpretive Exhibition or the Museum,
or for use of the Audio-trail facilities. All proceeds from entry charges
and the Shop go towards the upkeep of the Shrine.
Bathing - People have been bathing at St Winefride's Well for over 1,000
years. They still do. Pilgrims wishing to bathe are welcome to do so,
at the following times, or by special arrangement with the Custodian:
1 April - 30 September: 09.00-10.00 and 16.00-17.00
1 October - 31 March: 10.00 - 11.00 and 15.00-15.30
For all other events at the Well or to arrange a pilgrimage or group
visit, contact Custodian on 01352 713054 for details.Tel: 01352 713054
Directions:
Parking is available in the Town Centre Car Parks in Holywell. It
is just a short walk down the hill to the Holy Well
