St Winefride's Well - One of the oldest Natural Assets in Flintshire

Legend has it that a spring erupted on the spot where an unwanted suitor, Caradog, cut off Winefride’s head when she spurned his advances. Where it landed a spring appeared and the waters have been healing people since the 7th century. Her uncle, St Beuno, prayed for her survival and she went on to live as a nun for another 22 years. Whether you believe the legend or not, St Winefride’s Well in Holywell has been a place of pilgrimage for 13 centuries. Even today people are still reporting that they have been cured after immersion in the water.
    
 
The present shrine was built in the early 16th century and is a Grade 1 listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.  There is also a museum which gives the history of St Winefride and the Shine, as well as a small shop.  The Shrine is open every day, with the exception of Christmas Day and Boxing Day.  There is a small admission charge.

Related pages: Seven Wonders of Wales

Contact details

Holywell

CH8 7PN
Telephone:


Contact: The Custodian

Nearby attractions

Seven Wonders of Wales
Pilgrim's Way
Holywell
Daydream Designs
Greenfield Valley Heritage Park

Nearby restaurants

The Pet Cemetery Cafeteria
Enjoy a stroll around the award-winning grounds of the pet cemetery and visit our cafe, which offers home-cooked food.
The Mill on the Hill
A lovely cafe situated in Holywell near Winefreds Well.
Open 10 till 5 Tuesday to Saturday, 10 till 4 on Sunday.
The Blue Bell Inn
The Blue Bell is an independent, family-run, award-winning free house with multiple CAMRA Regional awards.  It was a Sunday Telegraph Top Ten UK Country Pub in 2008 and The Best Pub in 2009, and featured in The Sunday Times Best Summer Walks for 2009.

Pub

The Crown
The Crown Inn is a free house based in the village of Lixwm, offering a variety of guest ales and with an Egon Ronay recommended restaurant.
Black Lion Inn
The Black Lion is a 13th century coaching inn - based in the heart of the country with breathtaking views towards Moel Famau. Its restaurant and bar offer a wide range of home cooked British food and real ales.  
The Cherry Pie Inn
The Cherry Pie is open Tuesday to Saturday lunchtime and evening, and Sunday lunchtime all the year round.