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<< Our Photo Pages >> Swallowhead Spring - Holy Well or Sacred Spring in England in Wiltshire

Submitted by DavidCWoods on Monday, 16 August 2004  Page Views: 24945

Springs and Holy WellsSite Name: Swallowhead Spring
Country: England County: Wiltshire Type: Holy Well or Sacred Spring
 Nearest Village: Avebury
Map Ref: SU101681  Landranger Map Number: 173
Latitude: 51.411833N  Longitude: 1.856167W
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
 no data Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 no data 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.
 4 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
 3

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I have visited· I would like to visit

PurpleEmperor would like to visit

elad13 visited on 21st Jun 2019 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 3 Been 3 years on the trot, since I personally discovered it love the place

graemefield visited on 1st Jan 2010 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 4

AnnabelleStar have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 4.5 Ambience: 4.5 Access: 3.5

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by DavidCWoods : SU101681 Visited 13.08.04 Eventually found the spring site - it's marked on maps, and on the local notices, but not quite clear how you get there. There appeared to be two spring sites, decorated with offerings, but both were dry. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Sacred Spring in Wiltshire

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Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by mishkin : Small modern circle of stones claimed by the flooding River Kennet at the Swallowhead Spring. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by DavidCWoods : SU101681 The feed from the springs passes under a fallen tree, liberally decorated. It passes into the river bed, also, at this point, dry. I followed the river bed along the edge of the field; it appeared to stay dry until shortly before the footbridge leading to West Kennet Long Barrow. At this point the water reappeared from the undergrowth. (4 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by Leebrotherton : Very Magical Atmosphere when I visited at Summer Solstice. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by Horatio : The channel (dry today) of one of the furthest springs at Swallowhead, looking towards the river whilst standing at the opening of the actual spring (Vote or comment on this photo)

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by Horatio : Of all the springs around Avebury, Swallowhead is the best known. The springs emerge from two (possible more) holes in a low natural wall of chalk where stones have been place around. The water runs north down a gentle grassy slope and into the river Kennett under the crack-willow tree that is can be seen in this photo.

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by MikeAttwell : The view downstream from the spring shows how quickly the water becomes a stream. Photograph taken January 2015.

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by MikeAttwell : There are at least two spring outlets a few metres from each other. This is the more northerly of the two and is slightly lower than the first. It has been enhanced at some time since 1979 by the addition of small sarsen stones. This photo was taken in January 2015.

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by MikeAttwell : There are now at least two outlets. The first and highest of the two consists of a roughly circular hole emerging from below a field edge. I suspect this was the outlet I photographed in April 1979. This phot was taken in January 2015.

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by MikeAttwell : This site is visited best when the springs are flowing, on this occasion in January 2015. On the two occasions I have visited when the Silbury ditch has been flooded the springs were flowing, as suggested by Michael Dames in the Silbury Treasure. As can be seen from the photo the rea can be both wet and/or muddy. The approach in late Spring and Summer is dry and the area is overgrown. .

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by MikeAttwell : First visited this site in April 1979. The Spring was flowing and the are relatively free of vegetation. I only remember one outlet (see photo). However it was over 40 years ago! (1 comment)

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by elad13 : Swallowhead Spring 2019, the willow portal and river inflow and run off from the fields

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by elad13 : Swallowhead Spring 2019 springtime when the river is inflow and full of water cress

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by elad13 : Swallowhead summer Spring 2018

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by elad13 : Swallowhead Summer 2018 when the seasonal river was not inflow, the willow looking so much like a portal

Swallowhead Spring
Swallowhead Spring submitted by mishkin : The old willow by the Swallowhead November 2006

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 261m SSE 148° West Kennet Barrow Round Barrow(s) (SU10246788)
 439m NNW 348° Silbury Hill* Artificial Mound (SU10016853)
 537m SE 132° West Kennett Long Barrow* Long Barrow (SU10506774)
 583m ENE 64° Silbaby* Misc. Earthwork (SU1062668354)
 903m E 84° West Kennet Palisaded Enclosures* Ancient Village or Settlement (SU110682)
 997m SSW 193° Beckhampton Penning circle* Stone Circle (SU09876713)
 1.2km SW 219° Beckhampton Penning barrows Barrow Cemetery (SU09356717)
 1.3km NNE 27° West Kennet Avenue* Multiple Stone Rows / Avenue (SU10696928)
 1.4km NNE 19° West Kennet Avenue polisher* Polissoir (SU10576947)
 1.5km NE 36° Falkner's Circle* Stone Circle (SU10986931)
 1.5km ENE 70° Overton Hill barrow cemetery* Barrow Cemetery (SU11526863)
 1.6km NW 317° South Street Long Barrow* Chambered Tomb (SU09006927)
 1.7km N 357° Alexander Keiller Museum* Museum (SU100698)
 1.7km NW 315° Longstone Cove* Standing Stones (SU0888769301)
 1.7km E 93° The Sanctuary.* Stone Circle (SU11836802)
 1.7km NW 307° Longstones Barrow* Long Barrow (SU08706914)
 1.9km E 88° The Sanctuary Barrows* Barrow Cemetery (SU11966816)
 1.9km N 5° Avebury* Stone Circle (SU10266996)
 1.9km N 356° St. James's Church (Avebury) Ancient Cross (SU0997669968)
 1.9km N 5° Avebury - The Cove* Standing Stones (SU10257002)
 1.9km NW 305° South of Penning Barn* Round Barrow(s) (SU08506921)
 2.0km SE 130° East Kennett longbarrow* Long Barrow (SU11636684)
 2.1km SSW 201° Allington Down Tumulus* Round Barrow(s) (SU0936366184)
 2.1km SE 145° Harestone Down* Stone Circle (SU113664)
 2.1km NW 304° North of The Grange Round Barrow(s) (SU08346928)
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"Swallowhead Spring" | Login/Create an Account | 12 News and Comments
  
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Re: Swallowhead Spring by 4seasonbackpacking on Thursday, 15 November 2018
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Re: Swallowhead Spring by Anonymous on Thursday, 05 October 2017
Visited it this summer and thought it had a great feel even though it was dry, got to go back when it is in flow next spring, magical area so much to see
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Re: Swallowhead Spring by Anonymous on Sunday, 29 March 2015
Hi. Could anyone tell me at what time of year the spring is in full flow of water? Thanks, David
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Re: Swallowhead Spring by Anonymous on Monday, 23 July 2012
First visited this spring in 1998 - a truly peaceful, magickal and beautiful place - returned a few times since but have been so saddened to see the deterioration.
Firstly, the chalk bed, across which the spring water flowed, has been completely covered by grasses. Secondly, Marguerite daisies have been planted in the chalk wall which is causing it to erode.
Right next to the spring, the chalk wall has been completely destroyed due to it being used as a short cut to the long barrow
The many votive offerings especially jewelry, placed in the tree, were stolen 2 years ago - even a small toy motorbike was taken
On my last visit, the spring had been used as an open toilet, I haven't been back since.
I would like to find out if there are other people who care enough about this sacred place to give a little time to restore it, if that was allowed?
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Swallowhead Spring by Steve5149 on Wednesday, 11 April 2012
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Visited on Easter Sunday and the spring was bone dry as was the entire river bed. The area above the spring has been cleared to some extent so it's not as secluded as on previous visit a couple of years ago. Signs that a number of people had lit small camp fires and also many items attached to and around the willow tree. A new small willow has started to grow near the old one. Still a very quiet and somehow peaceful place not far from the very busy sites of Silbury Hill and West Kennett Long Barrow.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Swallowhead Spring by Anonymous on Tuesday, 23 September 2008
visited autumn equinox 2008 Spring totally dry. pleased to see less plastic and rubbish since I was last here in 2006 Peaceful place no signs this time to say where it was so probably the reason why. Only people seriously interested bothering to find it. It is totally beyond me that people who are supposedly concerned with nature and spiritual places can leave trash. Sincere bio -degradable objects I can appreciate. These can show people have a connection to this place. Also I noted that the oak tree on the start of the climb to the Long Barrow has now become a cloutie tree.
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Re: Swallowhead Spring by AdamMarr on Tuesday, 02 September 2008
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Often pass this way on route from London to Trowbridge and last Sat (30th Aug - the one day off summer 2008) I made time to stop....
My original intention was just to visit the barrow, the spring being unknown to me, but fate decreed that that the easterly layby was full forcing me to park in the one just south of the hill, and the sign by the gate led me off via the spring for a scenic route up to the hill.
The spring was bone dry (as expected) yet the area still held me captive for about an hour - bit puzzled by the significance of the wooden gnome left as an offering!? Made me smile though...
Seeing how busy the hill was that day it was a pleasant peaceful refuge - I will return to see it flow.

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Re: Swallowhead Spring by Anonymous on Friday, 05 October 2007
Visited this wonderful place. Off the beaten track and no one else there. A truly spiritual experience.
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Re: Swallowhead Spring by Anonymous on Wednesday, 20 July 2005
just back from odyssey to the west, stumbled across this deeply magical place, and was very moved by it.
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Re: Swallowhead Spring by Anonymous on Monday, 04 July 2005
Visited the spring while it was in full flow - lovely and very evocative.

The area is well served by a wide array of offerings of all types.

There had been someone camping back behind the tree and a fire had recently been lit and left uncleared after the occupants departure. Not very good.

All in all I found the spring a wonderful place to visit. Will be including this site in the book I am currently writing, 'Neolithic Spirit Engines'.
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Re: Swallowhead Spring by kernunos on Friday, 15 April 2005
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Hamish Miller tells us that the Mary dragon line passes through these springs as it winds its way across the country.
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Re: Swallowhead Spring by kernunos on Friday, 15 April 2005
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The willow tree has recently become a cloutie tree, and is the only example of one in Wiltshire that i know of. The tradition of tieing rags and other votive offerings to trees is quite common in the Celtic fringes, Cornwall for instance, but has less of a history in the rest of England.

It could be argued that the practice has spread because of the ability for people to travel longer distances. And certainly, many people who would search out the Swallowhead Springs at a numinous centre such as Avebury are the kinds of people that would also travel to Cornwall and search out the likes Madron well there. But this may not be the whole story as there is documentary evidence for another rag well in Wiltshire, Shingle Bell Well over near Bath.
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