Menacuddle Well

Reasons for Designation

Holy wells are water sources with specifically Christian associations. The custom of venerating springs and wells as sacred sites is also known to have characterised pre-Christian religions in Britain and, although Christian wells have been identified from as early as the 6th century AD, it is clear that some holy wells originated as earlier sacred sites. The cult of holy wells continued throughout the medieval period. Its condemnation at the time of the Reformation (c.1540) ended new foundations but local reverence and folklore customs at existing holy wells often continued, in some cases to the present day. The holy wells sometimes functioned as sites for baptism but they were also revered for less tangible reasons, some of which may have had origins in pre- Christian customs, such as folklore beliefs in the healing powers of the water and its capacity to effect a desired outcome for future events. Associated rituals often evolved, usually requiring the donation of an object or coin to retain the 'sympathy' of the well for the person seeking its benefits. At their simplest, holy wells may be unelaborated natural springs with associated religious traditions. Structural additions may include lined well shafts or conduit heads on springs, often with a tank to gather the water at the surface. The roofing of walled enclosures to protect the water source and define the sacred area created well houses which may be simple, unadorned small structures closely encompassing the water source, or larger buildings, decorated in the prevailing architectural style and facilitating access with features such as steps to the water source and open areas with stone benching where visitors might shelter. At their most elaborate, chapels, and sometimes churches, may have been built over the well or adjacent well house. The number of holy wells is not known but estimates suggest at least 600 nationally. They provide important information on the nature of religious beliefs and practices and on the relationship between religion and the landscape during the medieval period.

Menacuddle Well survives very well, despite some restoration in the early 20th century. It is a good example of a holy well and is said to be one of the most beautiful in Cornwall.

Details

The monument includes a medieval holy well, known as Menacuddle Well, situated
to the north of St Austell in southern mid-Cornwall.
Menacuddle Well, which is a Listed Building Grade II*, survives as a small
granite building over a well basin. It is orientated east-west with the east
wall built against the natural rock face. The structure measures 2.3m high by
2.74m wide and 3.45m long. It is constructed of large granite blocks and
mortar, while the roof is also of large granite slabs supported on three
massive ribs. In both the north and south walls is a pointed arched entrance
with moulded granite surround and decorated capitals. There is a small rounded
arched window in the west wall with an information plaque mounted on the
exterior next to it. The floor of the well house is paved with granite. Water
from a spring fills a stone basin at the east end of the well house, and
drains out through the south door.


Menacuddle Well is located in an ornamental garden in a valley running north
from St Austell. This holy well is considered to date from the late 15th
century, and is said to be one of the most beautiful holy wells in Cornwall.
It was restored in 1922 as a memorial to a member of the Sawle family, owners
of the Menacuddle Estate, who died in World War I. Traditionally the water was
used for healing weak children and ulcers as well as various other illnesses.
Local tradition was to throw bent pins into the water for good luck.
The modern surface of the gravel footpath to the north, south and west of the
well is excluded from the scheduling, where it falls within the monument's 2m
protective margin, although the ground beneath is included.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

31865

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Meyrick, J, A Pilgrim's Guide to the Holy Wells of Cornwall, (1982)
Quiller Couch, L, Quiller Couch, M, Ancient and Holy Wells of Cornwall, (1894)
Lane-Davies, A, Holy Wells of Cornwall, (1970)

Other
Title: 1:25000 Ordnance Survey Map; SX 05/15; St Austell and Fowey Source Date: 1980 Author: Publisher: Surveyor:
FMW report for CO 187, (1985)

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

Print the official list entry