The Holy Well and Cell

Location

Set back, along a trackway, from the N side of a country road leading to the SE tip of the island at Black Point, or Trwyn Du, Penmon. The Holy Well and Cell are c50m NNE of the Priory Church of St Seiriol at Penmon.

History

C6 stone foundations of a monk's cell which probably mark the settlement of St Seiriol, founder of the religious community at Penmon. Close by the cell is an ancient well, now with a rectangular stone basin and forecourt. The well is now housed in a red brick and stone shelter; the upper part of which was probably built in the early C18.

Exterior

Sub rectangular limestone foundations of monks cell standing up to a height of c0.5m. To the NE of the cell is an ancient well, now with a rectangular flagged forecourt with rough limestone walling and crude stone benches along the E and W sides. Over the well is a small red brick and limestone building, built into the cliff face to the W. The building has a shallow gabled roof and a single doorway offset to the W with narrow vent slit to the E. The lower part of the walling is of stone and slightly battered, the brickwork is weathered and the building was once rendered, some remains.

Interior

Interior walls are rendered. The open doorway leads into a rectangular chamber, with a rectangular basin for the well set into the flagged stone floor. There are crude flagstone benches along the N and E walls and rectangular recesses in the walls above; one is said (by RCAHM) to have been partly blocked by a slate slab with a coronet above the initials and date B / R B 1710, though this is no longer present.

Reason for designation

Listed as the remains of an early Christian site with remains of a C6 monastic cell and ancient well; rare evidence for the form of early religious functions, and with considerable group value in its association with the Priory buildings of Penmon.
Ancient Monument No 1/1838/AN 062 (ANG) G.