St Winefride's Well

Serving as a revered site frequented by pilgrims since the early years of the 7th Century, St Winefride's Well is also popular as 'the Lourdes of Wales.' St Winefride's Well is supposedly the earliest pilgrimage destination to be visited by devotees in England. In an old poem, the well is also referred as one of Seven Wonders of Wales. Its waters are known to possess healing properties and have provided extraordinary cures. A popular legend goes that in the year 660, young Winifred was brutally wounded by Caradoc, after she turned down his proposal. A water spring came up from beneath the ground at the place where Winifred's severed head laid and later, she regained life with the help of St. Beuno, her uncle. St Winefride's Well came to be recognized as an emblem for Catholic opposition's survival in Wales.