Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
St Mary's Well
Nefyn, Gwynedd, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Water Supply and Drainage
- Date of designation
- 18 June 1998
- Locality
- Nefyn
- Town
- Pwllheli
- Community
- Nefyn
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.93589, -4.52016
- Cadw reference
- 19972
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1608 "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Situated prominently near the centre of Nefyn, some 35m N of the junction of the A497 and the B4417.
History
Ornate stone superstructure to the ancient town well, built in 1868 by the Corporation of Nefyn, Robert Thomas and John Jones, bailiffs, according to the inscription, which also records Lord Newborough as mayor and presumably promoter of this unusual building. The well is not listed as a Holy Well in Francis Jones' book 'The Holy Wells of Wales'.
Exterior
Well superstructure. Squared rubble stone, square plan building with stone pyramidal roof and bronze or copper finial. Sides have blank recessed arch each side with raised rusticated surrounds and raised angle quoins. Plain projecting course above under pyramid roof, which has tooled stone blocks for the angle ridges and a square apex piece under finial. Each face has a stone steep gablet with slate plaque inscribed:
To SW - To NE -
1868 1868
St Mary's Ffynnon
Well Fair
Rebuilt by the Ailadeiladwyd
Corporation of Gan
Nefyn Gorfforaeth Nefyn
Robert Thomas } Robert Thomas}
John Jones } Bailiffs John Jones } Bailiffs
To SE (road front) -
The Right Honourable
Lord Newborough Mayor
Hugh Hughes Deputy Mayor
John Wilson Recorder
Blank plaque and small boarded door to rear. Iron railings and gate on NE, around 4 steps down to sunken area.
Reason for designation
Included as a prominent and architecturally elaborate well-house, unusual in the region.
Nearby in the register
- Nefyn Watch TowerMaritimeunder 1 mi
- Church of St MaryReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Cross Slab Built into Farm Building Ty'n-y-CaeCross-marked stoneunder 1 mi
- HendafarnDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.