The Virtuous Well
The Virtuous Well, also known as St Anne’s Well, is a historic holy well located in the village of Trellech in Monmouthshire. Set within a sheltered hollow near other significant sites such as the Trellech stone row, it has long been associated with healing, pilgrimage and local tradition. The well has been known since medieval times as a place of cure, attracting visitors who believed its waters possessed medicinal properties. The water is chalybeate, meaning it contains iron, which likely contributed to its reputation for treating ailments. Historical accounts describe its use for conditions such as eye complaints and illnesses particularly associated with women. The structure of the well is distinctive. It is enclosed within a horseshoe-shaped stone setting, with built-in benches that would have allowed pilgrims and visitors to rest. Within the enclosure are small niches that may have been used for holding drinking vessels or offerings, indicating the ritual use of the site. The well forms part of a wider historic landscape in Trellech. Local tradition suggests that the water feeding the well flows beneath the nearby Harold’s Stones, linking the site to the prehistoric alignment and reinforcing its perceived antiquity and significance. The site is closely associated with folklore and customary practices. One tradition involved dropping a pebble into the water and counting the bubbles, which were said to predict the time remaining until marriage. Such practices reflect the well’s role not only in healing but also in divination. Legends connected to the well include stories of fairies inhabiting the surrounding area, particularly during midsummer. These tales often emphasise the need to respect the landscape, with misfortune befalling those who disturbed it. The well continues to be a place of informal ritual. Visitors often leave offerings, including strips of cloth tied to nearby trees, a practice associated with the belief that illness or misfortune will diminish as the material decays. Today, the well remains accessible and retains much of its historic form. The stone enclosure and surrounding vegetation create a secluded atmosphere, preserving the sense of a site set apart from its surroundings. The Virtuous Well stands as an example of a medieval holy well that has retained its cultural significance over centuries, combining natural features, built structure and enduring traditions of belief. Alternate names: St Anne’s Well
The Virtuous Well
The Virtuous Well, also known as St Anne’s Well, is a historic holy well located in the village of Trellech in Monmouthshire. Set within a sheltered hollow near other significant sites such as the Trellech stone row, it has long been associated with healing, pilgrimage and local tradition. The well has been known since medieval times as a place of cure, attracting visitors who believed its waters possessed medicinal properties. The water is chalybeate, meaning it contains iron, which likely contributed to its reputation for treating ailments. Historical accounts describe its use for conditions such as eye complaints and illnesses particularly associated with women. The structure of the well is distinctive. It is enclosed within a horseshoe-shaped stone setting, with built-in benches that would have allowed pilgrims and visitors to rest. Within the enclosure are small niches that may have been used for holding drinking vessels or offerings, indicating the ritual use of the site. The well forms part of a wider historic landscape in Trellech. Local tradition suggests that the water feeding the well flows beneath the nearby Harold’s Stones, linking the site to the prehistoric alignment and reinforcing its perceived antiquity and significance. The site is closely associated with folklore and customary practices. One tradition involved dropping a pebble into the water and counting the bubbles, which were said to predict the time remaining until marriage. Such practices reflect the well’s role not only in healing but also in divination. Legends connected to the well include stories of fairies inhabiting the surrounding area, particularly during midsummer. These tales often emphasise the need to respect the landscape, with misfortune befalling those who disturbed it. The well continues to be a place of informal ritual. Visitors often leave offerings, including strips of cloth tied to nearby trees, a practice associated with the belief that illness or misfortune will diminish as the material decays. Today, the well remains accessible and retains much of its historic form. The stone enclosure and surrounding vegetation create a secluded atmosphere, preserving the sense of a site set apart from its surroundings. The Virtuous Well stands as an example of a medieval holy well that has retained its cultural significance over centuries, combining natural features, built structure and enduring traditions of belief.