<< Our Photo Pages >> St Michael's Well (Cambridge) - Holy Well or Sacred Spring in England in Cambridgeshire
Submitted by HOLYWELL on Sunday, 05 September 2021 Page Views: 11395
Springs and Holy WellsSite Name: St Michael's Well (Cambridge) Alternative Name: Holy WellCountry: England County: Cambridgeshire Type: Holy Well or Sacred Spring
Nearest Town: Cambridge Nearest Village: Longstanton
Map Ref: TL40326584
Latitude: 52.272813N Longitude: 0.055129E
Condition:
5 | Perfect |
4 | Almost Perfect |
3 | Reasonable but with some damage |
2 | Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site |
1 | Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks |
0 | No data. |
-1 | Completely destroyed |
5 | Superb |
4 | Good |
3 | Ordinary |
2 | Not Good |
1 | Awful |
0 | No data. |
5 | Can be driven to, probably with disabled access |
4 | Short walk on a footpath |
3 | Requiring a bit more of a walk |
2 | A long walk |
1 | In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find |
0 | No data. |
5 | co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates |
4 | co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map |
3 | co-ordinates scaled from a bad map |
2 | co-ordinates of the nearest village |
1 | co-ordinates of the nearest town |
0 | no data |
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This has been erroneously reported to project the image on the head of the baptised individual. However there was no evidence to support this although it is an interesting theory. The well arises in a shallow circular well with a gravel substrate ( the source of the water is not clear ), and is approached by a series of steps between two low walls and black metal railings which encircle this approach to the well with a small gate. A black metal guard has been placed in front of the well, and this can be raised to give access.
The well went through a stage of being rather neglected, and it was restored by a Mr and Mrs Brown. There would seem to be local disagreement over the use of the well. Its proximity to the church suggests its use in baptisms, although no clear records could be found. Notwithstanding Mr and Mrs Brown did speak to an elderly lady whose mother was baptised in it about 100 years ago. Furthermore it would appear likely that the foundation of the church was established to enforce Christianity on a pagan water shrine.
Well dressing was introduced in 1987 making two of Cambridgeshire's Holy wells having this distinction. The dressing consists of a tryparch arrangement with a variety of images and motifs: The Golden Hind with bells and anchors; East Anglian Life: a windmill and church; The Harvest is ripe. A number of photographs of these ceremonies are displayed in the porch of the church. Sadly lack of interest within the village seems to have caused the abandonment of the ceremony, as it was only Mrs Brown and another elderly lady doing the rather time consuming work. Hopefully by the time the reader reads that the situation will have improved.
To find the site take the road to Longstanton, and then take the road that leads up to the Barracks, turning right down St Michael's Lane and continuing until one reaches the distinctive chapel at the end of the road. The well is clearly visible beneath an old chestnut.
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