The market town of Holywell, which bills itself "the Lourdes of Wales," is named after its well. The site where St Winefride was supposedly decapitated after spurning the amorous advances of Prince Caradoc (and revived by her uncle, St Bueno, using the miraculous waters) has been a place of pilgrimage since her death in the 7th century. Curative bathing dates to the Romans who allegedly cured gout and rheumatism here, and modern-day pilgrims still take the waters.
Of the present-day structure, the vaulted stone shrine and star-shaped well basin were built some time before 1509.
Henry V made the pilgrimage here after his victory at Agincourt and Princess Victoria visited in 1828. He was preceded by Richard the Lionheart, who was one of the patrons of the well during the 12th century.
Today, pilgrims bathe in the holy well at designated times before attending one of the pilgrims' Masses and stocking up on vials of holy water. The site is packed in June for the National Catholic Pilgrimage. The Victorian Custodian’s House has been restored as a library and museum, documenting the history of the well and its pilgrims, its display including the bones of Reformation martyrs.
