St Euny's Well, Carn Brea

Hidden even from the village road, this lovingly restored holy well is one of the quietest places of pilgrimage in a county full of spiritual treasures

Highlights

• Holy well of St Euny

St Euny was one of the first missionaries to Cornwall, perhaps as early as the 5th century. He clearly had a lot of baptising to do, since there are three wells bearing his dedication in Cornwall. Two are at Carn Euny near Land’s End (listed overleaf). This little well is only a small pool now, no longer of baptismal design. A steady flow emerges from the housing of granite boulders and runs away in a stream. It is only a few steps from the main road, but you can sit in relative seclusion in the pretty little garden surrounding the spring. This was restored in recent years and a plaque erected stating that St Euny used the well in the year 500. Ancient and Holy Wells of Cornwall repeats the local legend that anyone baptized in this well would never hang. The chances must be vanishingly small to start with, and not the sort of thing to preoccupy an early Celtic saint. 

Directions

Opposite: Carn Brea Village Hall, Carn Brea TR15 3BG

W3W: alcove.classic.fools

GPS: 50.2267N 5.2401W

Carn Brea village is on the southern outskirts of Redruth. Heading west out of Redruth on the A3047, take the first left after the large roundabout, signed to Carn Brea village. After 1/3 of a mile you reach a crossroads. Turn left and the well is 60 yards along here on the right, opposite a little wooden village hall and next to a road sign saying Carn Brea Village. Follow the stream 10m uphill to the well.