Ritual site - holy well

The National Monuments Service's description

In rough pasture, in a gentle hollow (dims. 10m NNE-SSW; 9.5m ESE-WNW; max. D 0.65m; sides of hollow at SW: Wth 4m; H 0.65m). Circular well (dims. 0.75m NNE-SSW; 0.75m ESE-WNW) defined by corbelled stone wall (total H 0.85m; H to ground level 0.55m; T 0.25-0.55m) which extends (H 0.3m) above ground level and is enclosed by a sod-covered stone mound (dims. 2.35m ESE-WNW; max. 2m NNE-SSW) on exterior. Rectangular, lintelled opening (dims. H 0.35m; Wth 0.65m) is open to SSW. Top is closed by same lintel and a capstone which are set slightly apart from one another. A third capstone rests on top of these and closes top of well. Mortar (possibly cement?) visible on interior in places and exterior on right hand side of opening. Water depth (D 0.2m) to base at present. Bottom silted and has some occasional nettles and pond weed. Cut rectangular stone visible at S-side. Mature thorn tree is c. 4.5m to NNE. According to local information this is a holy well which was is still visited occasionally and white rags hung around the mature whitethorn tree. Depicted and named 'Brickendown Well' on latest edition OS 6-inch map. Land drain (long-axis c. E-W) is c. 8m to E.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 26 August 2011