St Beuno's Well

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument consists of the remains of a holy well, probably dating to the medieval or post-medieval period. The monument is a well or spring, possessing religious or otherwise ritualistic significance, around which a structure has been constructed.

The well is a stone basin, enclosed on three sides by a step. There are stone benches on the NE and SW sides of the enclosure; the enclosing wall is of stone, roughly dressed and coursed, with an added coping. There are rectangular niches, two on the NE and one on the SW, in the walls above the benches; the entrance, with a modern gate, is in the centre of the NW side. The added coping and other details are of the 18th century. The original structure is probably contemporary with the rebuilding of the parish church, late in the 15th century.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval holy wells and water systems, and the organisation and practice of Christianity. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The importance of the holy well is further enhanced by its group value with the nearby St Beuno's Chapel.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.