St Dyfnog's holy well

St Dyfnog's well is still visited by pilgrims today

Most people know of the well which gives Holywell its name, but in a small village between Ruthin and Denbigh there is another lesser known historic well.

The church of St Dyfnog in Llanrhaeadr has many impressive features, perhaps the best known being its Jesse window, a picture window which was first set into the wall of the church in 1533. And very near the church is the holy well of St Dyfnog.

St Dyfnog, one of the Celtic saints, is the patron saint of the parish and came to Llanrhaeadr in the 6th Century where he is said to have lived an austere life.

Over the years, people made their pilgrimage to the well as the waters were renowned for their curative power, particularly in the treatment of arthritis and skin disorders.

Pilgrims left offerings at the well and that income would have been used for the upkeep of the church.

During Victorian times the area was re-modelled, small bridges were built over the stream which runs from the well and small statuettes would have been placed on the banks around the well.

Today, the well is still visited regularly. Pilgrimage services continue to be held there and visiting churches have held baptism services using the well's water.