A place of healing, miracle and prayer — visited by pilgrims for over 1,300 years, and just a short walk from our guest house
Saint Winefride — Gwenfrewi in Welsh — was born in the early seventh century into a noble family in North Wales. Her uncle was the great Saint Beuno, one of the most revered saints of the early Welsh Church, who was responsible for her education in the faith and her formation as a Christian.
Winefride dedicated herself to God from a young age, resolving to live a life of consecrated virginity. Her beauty, however, attracted the attention of a local chieftain named Caradog, son of Alauc, who sought her hand in marriage. When she refused his advances and fled to the church where her uncle was celebrating Mass, Caradog pursued her in a rage and struck off her head with his sword.
Where her head fell to the ground, a spring of crystal-clear water immediately burst forth from the earth — the spring which has flowed without ceasing for over thirteen centuries and is venerated to this day as St Winefride's Holy Well.
"Where her head fell, a spring of the purest water burst forth — and has never ceased to flow from that day to this."
From the Life of Saint Winefride, 12th centurySaint Beuno, hearing the commotion and coming out from Mass, found his niece's body. He placed her head back upon her neck and prayed over her. Winefride was restored to life — completely and miraculously. Caradog, it is recorded, was swallowed up by the earth on the spot.
Winefride lived for many more years after her miraculous restoration, eventually becoming Abbess of Gwytherin in Conwy, where she died peacefully and was venerated as a saint. The moss around the well is said to carry a faint fragrance to this day — a reminder of her holiness.
Her feast day is celebrated on the 3rd of November, and her translation on the 22nd of June.
St Winefride's Well has been a place of pilgrimage continuously since the seventh century — making it one of the oldest continuously visited pilgrimage sites in the whole of Britain. Kings and queens, nobles and peasants, have all made the journey to Holywell to seek healing and grace.
King Henry V came here on foot as a pilgrim after his victory at Agincourt in 1415. King Richard I, Edward I, and Henry VIII all visited. The Jesuit martyr Saint Robert Southwell wrote of the well's fame across all of England. Even during the years of the Reformation, when Catholic practices were suppressed, pilgrims came secretly to the well — risking imprisonment for their faith.
The magnificent late-Gothic well chapel which stands over the spring today was built around 1500, believed to have been commissioned by Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII. It is one of the finest examples of late medieval religious architecture in Wales and is now a Grade I listed building.
The Bridgettine Sisters arrived in Holywell in 2008 and continue the ancient tradition of welcome, prayer, and hospitality for all who make the pilgrimage to this sacred place.
The founding miracle of the well: Saint Winefride, beheaded by Caradog, was restored to full life by the prayer of Saint Beuno. A spring of pure water burst from the ground where her head had fallen, and has flowed without ceasing ever since. The moss around the well is said to carry a faint and holy fragrance.
Throughout the medieval period, the well became renowned across all of Britain for miraculous healings. The paralysed walked, the blind received sight, and the chronically ill were cured after bathing in or drinking the waters. Votive offerings — crutches, walking sticks, and wax models of healed limbs — accumulated at the shrine in great numbers.
Roger Bodenham, a Protestant gentleman from Herefordshire, visited the well with no faith in its miraculous power and was cured of a long-standing illness. The experience led to his conversion to the Catholic faith. His account, written by his own hand, remains one of the best-documented miracle testimonies from the post-Reformation period.
Mary Boston of Birmingham had been crippled for eleven years and came to the well in 1887 on a stretcher. After bathing in the waters and praying at the shrine, she rose and walked unaided. Her cure was widely reported in the press and investigated by physicians who had previously treated her. She returned to the well each year in thanksgiving for the rest of her life.
Throughout the twentieth century, pilgrims have continued to report healings of physical illness, release from addiction, restoration of broken relationships, and profound spiritual conversions at the well. The well receives tens of thousands of pilgrims each year from across Britain, Europe, and the world. It remains a living place of grace.
Each year in late June, thousands of Catholics gather at St Winefride's Well for the National Pilgrimage — one of the largest Catholic gatherings in Wales. Bishops, clergy, religious, and lay people process through the streets of Holywell and gather at the well for Mass and the blessing of the waters. The Bridgettine Sisters are honoured to welcome pilgrims during this great annual celebration of faith.
The Bridgettine Sisters offer guided pilgrimages to St Winefride's Holy Well for guests staying at the guest house. A Sister will accompany you on the short walk to the well, share the history and stories of the saint, pray with you at the shrine, and guide you through the traditional prayers at the well.
The pilgrimage takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and includes:
Offered by donation — no fixed charge. Whatever you feel moved to give in thanksgiving is gratefully received and supports the Sisters' apostolate in Holywell.
Pilgrimages are available for individual guests and small groups. Please complete the form and a Sister will contact you to arrange a suitable time.
St Winefride's Well is located on Greenfield Street, Holywell, CH8 7PN. It is approximately 10 minutes' walk from the guest house. The well is managed by Cadw (Welsh historic monuments) and is open daily.
The well and chapel are generally open daily. The bathing pool is available for pilgrims wishing to bathe in the holy waters. Please check with the Sisters or the well's own website for current times before your visit.
Comfortable walking shoes. If you wish to bathe, bring a swimming costume and a towel. You may also wish to bring a small container to take holy water home. The Sisters will provide prayer cards and guidance.
Rest, pray, and be renewed — our doors are open to all
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