St Dyfnog's Well

Cadw's description

Location

In a rocky, wooded natural bowl approximately 0.25km above, and to the W of, the church of St Dyfnog; accessed via a path running parallel with the well stream from the churchyard.

History

Well basin associated with the C6 St Dyfnog. In the C17 and C18 the well was much frequented. Edward Lhuyd (c1698) reported: 'the water cures scabs, itch etc. Some say 'twould cure ye small pox.' An account of 1721 records built structures, which apparently served as changing rooms for visitors, and Pennant, c1773 describes the well basin 'inclosed in an angular wall, decorated with small human figures.' When Richard Fenton visited the site in 1808 he described the place as 'exhibiting one shapeless ruin, the bath being choked up and all the building fallen in - a most shameful neglect.' The present enclosing walls of the basin are certainly those described in these early accounts, and are probably of the C16 or C17.

Exterior

Sunken rectangular bath or basin, approximately 3m by 6m and with dressed sandstone sides. At the NE corner there are 4 sandstone steps which lead down into the basin. At the SE corner is an irregular outlet with a segmental arch of rough-dressed limestone some 2m distant. This bridges a stream which flows down from the basin via the outlet and proceeds down the hill to pass the churchyard on the S side. The water enters the basin at the W end where there is a natural spring within a cave and an irregular arrangement of dressed and rough-dressed sections of stone; these presumably relate to a former built structure associated with the well.

Reason for designation

Listed for its special interest as an early modern well basin associated with the C6 St Dyfnog.