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England
Sancreed Holy WellSacred Well
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I was led to this place many moons ago, up the gorgeous winding gnarled path with old thorns as its guide, until we reached the overgrown ruins here. When my old boyfriend pointed me to the opening in the ground, I cautiously walked down until I reached the stepped bottom. Once inside, this place sent me into dreams within minutes. I merged into the dark though colourful majesty of dripping mosses and cool air and it was as if I had become enchanted. All thoughts faded away and, though it might sound silly, I was in another land, without time. I could have stayed here forever (that was how it felt) until I heard the faint call of a voice bringing me back to my 'normal' senses. It was my boyfriend asking me if I was alright. I turned back up the steps and emerged from beneath the ground, still in a dream. It was Sancreed which turned me on to the healing values of holy wells. If you've never been to this place but find yourself in the area, have a feel of it yourself. It's truly wonderful. |
Posted by SwastikaGirl 3rd January 2006ce |
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I had just visited Boscowan and Carn Euny in 2002 with my daughter and decided to take a scenic route back via the byeway from the iron-age village to Grumbia. On the way to Sancreed my daughter spotted the "Holy Well" sign on the road and we stopped to have a look. The path was relatively clear and made a pleasant walk, getting overgrown and muddy for a bit nearer to the well. Its well worth a visit (no pun intended!) and I would say the whole immediate area is a good place for some quiet contemplation. The inside of the well is very green with a large number of offerings. The photo I have added here does not do justice to the fairy-grotto feel inside. Apparently the background radiation in the well is much higher than the local average, so I would suggest that one does not stay over-long inside or drink the water! Outside the well is a cross and a tree covered in clouties. When we were in Cyprus the previous year we looked at a cloutie tree and found, amongst other items, a pair of satin black knickers which made me wonder what was being wished for! There are numerous bits of stone outside, remnants from the chapel that once stood there. In all, a small, magical place. More pictures of this and other places are on my own site, http://www.ancientstones.org.uk if you are interested. Lightsmith |
Posted by Lightsmith 14th January 2004ce Edited 14th January 2004ce |
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5th October 2003 I took the approach from the telephone box opposite Sancreed Church, which had a sign advising that an alternative path was available 300yds up the road. The approach was long and narrow - no room for a wheelchair here. The path is quite clearly delineated, except for one point where stiles appear both in front, and to the right. I chose right, which was right! A short incline, and the well appeared in front of me. The first thing I saw was the ugly modern cross that's been erected here. Climbing down into the well, I spotted the phosphorescence straight away, but it proved difficult to photograph. Sitting in the cracks on the far walls, it gave the impression of minute fairy grottoes, complete with lighting! After 10 minutes or so, I began to feel uneasy, and had the start of a headache, so decided to leave. But before finally leaving I took a quick look at the remains of the small chapel just above the well. Only part of the walls remain, similar to, but in a worse condition than the chapel at Madron Well. Leaving via the continuation of the footpath, after a short climb a stile led to the road, just around the corner from my starting point. This post appears as part of the weblog entry What we did on our holidays...
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Posted by ocifant13th October 2003ce Edited 13th October 2003ce |
| I have been visiting this site for years studying the radiation. It comes from radon gas which is in so high concentrations in the chamber that it can even be measured with a geiger counter. It is generally accepted that radon cannot be measured with a geiger counter, and perhaps radon gas itself cannot, but it decays into decay products which are themselves radioactive and can be measured with a geiger counter at concentrations exceeding about 5,000Bq cubic metre (compare with government action level of 200). We have measured it with a range of more sophisticated equipment, but for those without more sophisticated equipment, if you sit half an hour in the chamber breathing the air, your nostrils will register on a geiger counter - DON'T panic! The radioactive radon decay products are short lived and will decay to low levels in a couple of hours. |
Posted by Treacleminer 19th August 2003ce Edited 19th August 2003ce |
| Found this place by accident after a visit to Carn Euny in September 2001. We went on a bit of a scenic route home, and spotted the "Holy Well" sign - thought it was "Holy Well Farm" or something! Looks like a garden gate to me... Still - we took the chance, and I am so glad we did! This is the most peaceful place I have ever been to. Every time I visit this place (about 5 times now), there is never anyone else around! It's a place of contemplation and reflection... Sitting on the steps inside the well, staring into the water, it's easy to lose track of time... I'm sure I read here that radiation levels are about 200% above normal, which could account for the luminous moss and the feeling of well being! I had a little pray, tied me cloutie, and went away a happy man. Again. |
Posted by goffik29th May 2003ce |
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Originally heading to Boscawen un circle, the weather changed to heavy rain so I opted to come to the well, wonderful place, very powerful and evocative, less the garbage which is strewn across the poor hawthorn tree!, still though I sat within the well, trance comes easy here.. The well itself flooded due to the recent heavy rains, and the surrounding area rather muddy, but neverless a beautiful place..I stayed for a couple of hours...it got dark and the well came alive!, as does the rest of Penwith!!.. I gave healing to the poor tree..after I had removed "all" the rubbish from its branches!...again it could breathe easy!.. |
Posted by paul197029th December 2002ce Edited 13th February 2003ce |
| Visiting in June 2002CE you could feel a sense of peacefulness and calm. Also moss lining the wall could be seen to be Luminescent, I have know idea as to what cause's this Phenomena (maybe radiation!) or if this only occurs at certain times, will update on next visit. |
Posted by raven 7th June 2002ce |
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¼ mile west of Sancreed church, through the farmyard opposite the church and follow a path which swings north to a small An enchanted site with a very impressive well, reached down a flight of steps. There is room to stand upright underground, next to the water. Adjacent to the well are the remains of a chapel; the walls are about 4 feet high and several carved stones are lying around. A modern cross stands nearby. The site is very atmospheric and has an air of sanctity lacking at other more famous sites. http://www.bath.ac.uk/lispring/sourcearchive/fs3/fs3lh1.htm |
Posted by phil 18th December 2001ce |
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The many strips of cloth (or "clouties") which adorn the trees here. This tradition is still quite common in Britain as it is in many other parts of the world. The idea being to tear a piece of cloth from the part of the body which is ill, and as the cloth rots on the tree so the hurt disappears with it. A few years ago there was great consternation in the local pagan community when unidentified persons took offence at the "heathen" practice and cut down the branches to which the clouties were tied. An act showing great disrespect for the beliefs of those who left offerings. On the other hand, however, some people miss the point and leave all sorts of things - plastic bags, crisp packets, foil wrappers - which can be an eyesore. |
Posted by phil 30th December 2002ce |
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| The local folk here call this the Crone Well,there must have been a resident Fey Wife here in the past. |
Posted by hamish21st July 2002ce |
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The radiation at Sancreed Weel was found to be 200% above local background level. This is thought to help promote a trance-like state to anyone undertakeing visionary work at the well; possibly accounting for the intense feeling of peace and calm experienced here by many people. Local people say that to spend too long at the well can drain your energy too much and cause depression. |
Posted by raven 7th June 2002ce |
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Antiquities of the Lands End District of Cornwall |
Posted by Alchemilla 21st June 2002ce |
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