Site of Holy Well at Whitnash
Description of this historic site
The site of a holy well of unknown date. It was located 400m east of Whitnash.
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Notes about this historic site
1 Site of an ancient well by the side of Whitnash Brook. The site is now drained, but the little stream of water which flows into the Brook is still believed to possess healing powers.
2 It was thought that the waters of Whitnash Holy Well could foretell the future. There is a story that a church bell was lost down the well when it was carried there to be blessed.
3 Photo of the field.
4 Various references and observations.
- For the sources of these notes, see the
- Timetrail record
- produced by the Historic Environment Record.
Comments
The legend about the church bell prophesying the future is that the bell was either a reconditioned church bell or a new one which had been taken to the well to be re-consecrated, prior to being reinstalled in St Margaret’s church. Old Nick startled the consecration party and they dropped the bell into the well, losing it. However it gained the gift of prophecy. People would drop a stone into the well and ask a question at night time. Then at daybreak it would give its answer: One ring for yes and two for no. The image of the bell also forms part of Whitnash’s municipal crest.
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