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<< 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: 11373

Springs and Holy WellsSite Name: St Michael's Well (Cambridge) Alternative Name: Holy Well
Country: 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:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
5 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
5 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
4

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St Michael's Well (Cambridge)
St Michael's Well (Cambridge) submitted by Antonine : 2013 (Vote or comment on this photo)
Lying in the churchyard of the thatched chapel of St Michael, Longstanton near Cambridge, is a particularly fine example of a baptismal well. It is named just Holy Well or St Michael's Well. The well settles under a large tree in the corner of the tree which may be significant and is enclosed in a yellow brick half barrel well house, at the back of this is a cross shaped window.

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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St Michael's Well (Cambridge)
St Michael's Well (Cambridge) submitted by HOLYWELL : Inside St Michael's Well Longstanton showing the cross. (Vote or comment on this photo)

St Michael's Well (Cambridge)
St Michael's Well (Cambridge) submitted by Antonine : 2013 (Vote or comment on this photo)

St Michael's Well (Cambridge)
St Michael's Well (Cambridge) submitted by Antonine (Vote or comment on this photo)

St Michael's Well (Cambridge)
St Michael's Well (Cambridge) submitted by hamstermoon : A rear view of the Holy Well at St Michael's Church, Longstanton taken 21st Feb 2009 (Vote or comment on this photo)

St Michael's Well (Cambridge)
St Michael's Well (Cambridge) submitted by ddraigdu : St Michael's Well and Church on a fine January day, 2008 (1 comment)

St Michael's Well (Cambridge)
St Michael's Well (Cambridge) submitted by HOLYWELL : St Michael's well when welldressed.

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 4.9km NNE 27° Belsar's Hill* Hillfort (TL424703)
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"St Michael's Well (Cambridge)" | Login/Create an Account | 2 News and Comments
  
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STREET VIEW St Michael's Well (Cambridge) by Judy6 on Saturday, 29 May 2010
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Re: St Michael's Well (Cambridge) by hamstermoon on Sunday, 22 February 2009
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Visited this yesterday and got a bit lost! Its not the main church in Longstanton (this is All Saints) but rather the older. St Michael's Church which is accessed via the road which leaves from in front of All Saints.
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