Stop 2
St. Mary's Holy Well
Also known as
The Golden Well
Step a little closer and gaze into the trough. You might find something a little bit more magical that water…
Legend has it, back when the church was known as St Mary’s, a humble priest was returning home, tired and dusty after a long day. A mysterious stranger was waiting at the foot of the entrance. The priest could see the stranger was weary and hungry, although he did not have much to offer, his wife and he shared their food and gave her shelter.
The visitor revealed herself to be St Mary! In return for their kindness, she blessed the couple, bestowing good fortune on their family for generations. Regarding the well she said ‘here is living water for yourself and the church’.
From that day forward the frogs that inhabit the spring turn gold, to ensure her blessings of good fortune would not be forgotten
Although water no longer flows in this well, you might still spot a golden frog, hidden in the bushes, bringing you good luck too
Fun Fact:
Did you know, frogs are thought of as supernatural creatures because they live in two worlds, the water and the land? Magic often happens in a liminal space, Midnight (between days) Crossroads (between paths) or the new moon (between visible and invisible).