Lidwell

This lonely spot is home to the remains of a small 13th century chapel. Although neatly fenced it is almost impossible to visit without Wellington boots as the whole area is running with water some of which flows from the well which is just on the right inside the iron fence. It used to be in a corner of the chapel before it became a ruin. The well can be seen in the right about half way between the ‘Lidwell Chapel’ sign and the bottom of the image. Early in the 14th century the chapel was home to a monk who chose to supplement his income by luring in travellers who he then robbed, murdered and disposed of by tossing them into the well. The name Lidwell is thought to be a corruption of Lady Well. The chapel was dedicated to the Virgin Mary or St Mary Magdalene. To visit the site take the Exeter road (A379) from Teignmouth, pass the Teignmouth golf course on the left and park in the parking area on the right hand side of the road. Walk back about 200 yards to a footpath on your left. Climb over an iron bar and take the track veering right to drop steeply down into a wood. At the fenceline a stile takes you into a steep field. The chapel is about 50 yards downhill to the left.