St Anne's Well / Virtuous Well, Trellech

Occasional pilgrims find their way to this peaceful little sacred source, which is a couple of miles to the west of the Welsh Cistercian Way, and worthy of a detour

Highlights

• St Anne’s Well

Pagan and Christian traditions rub shoulders at this substantially built holy well. It is in sight of the parish church spire across fields, to the south-east of Trellech village. A medieval village has recently been discovered in a nearby field.

The well was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin’s mother, St Anne, but later became a wishing and fortune-telling well. The well was famous for its healing powers until the 17th century, according to an information panel. Judging by the collection of tokens left behind, it seems that visitors from both traditions have resumed activities. A CD was tucked into one niche, and a complete sock hung from the tree behind, perhaps reflecting a genuine foot injury. Other items included angels, candles, and an after-dinner mint. Pixies are said to visit.

The well sits in a sunken stone chamber, flagstones set into the pool like stepping stones. The well itself emerges in a moss-lined cavity in the middle, with benches on either side.

Three tall standing stones are lined up in a field beside Chepstow Road on the opposite side of the village, 400m to the west, a reminder that natural holy places have a long history of ritual use. One that shows no sign of ending here. It is now on the Devauden Pilgrimage Walk.

Directions

Next to: Llandogo Road, Trellech NP25 4PZ

W3W: plant.broom.villager

GPS: 51.7424N 2.7212W

Head south through Trellech along Church Street (the B4293). Where the main road bends right near the end of the village, turn off towards Llandogo and then take the first left after 20m. The gate to the well is on the left 260m along this lane, just before a junction on the right with another lane.

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