Stogursey Holy Well (St Andrew's Holy Well)

St Andrew's Holy Well, Stogursey

Down a narrow alley off High Street in the Somerset village of Stogursey is an intriguing holy well, which, like the nearby medieval parish church, is dedicated to St Andrew. During the medieval period, the well water was said to have healing properties.

The holy well comprises not one but two pure springs, each emptying into its own stone cistern. The outflow from the springs flows through a paved yard and exits the enclosed area in the south-west corner.

The springs here were considered sacred from a very early time but the dedication to St Andrew is first recorded in 1473. The spring water at one time supplied the only good drinking water for the entire village.

The holy well gateway

Each spring has its own distinct character; the right-hand spring is said to provide softer water, more suited to cleaning clothes. Perhaps just as important for the villagers, the springs were never known to fail.

In the 18th century the Earl of Egmont, lord of the manor, built a well house. In 1870 the area around the wells was enclosed and an ornate gateway entrance erected by Peregrine Acland of nearby Fairfield.

The outer face of the gateway arch is decorated with the Acland family coat of arms. The Egmont arms were removed from the 18th century well house and affixed to the inner face of the gateway. On top of the gateway arch is a cross of St Andrew.

The holy well is easy to find. From the medieval cross on the High Street turn down St Andrew's Lane and follow the cobbled lane to the well gateway.