The Holy Well, Wolsingham

Image: © Andrew Curtis Taken: 2 Sep 2011

The well is said to have the largest structure over any well in Durham. A rather sluggish supply of water trickles into the well building Image, which despite its size and the attractive use of local stone in its construction, is plain and unadorned. The well was repaired early this century, and more recently refurbished. Wolsingham holy well appears to have no legends or written history, solely being known for the purity of its water. A legend has though now been established regarding two local saints although this may have been more to do with tourism or the establishment of the Holy Wells walk by the town's wayfaring group Image St Aelric and St Godric are said to have lived in a hermitage near here in the C12th. The derivation of holiness may also have been from 'Hally Well' from the Saxon word 'hal', meaning sound in bodily health http://www.archive.org/stream/historicaldescri00laxjiala/historicaldescri00laxjiala_djvu.txt North East History Tour: https://web.archive.org/save/http://northeasthistorytour.blogspot.com/2016/11/holy-well-wolsingham-nz077379.html There is another photo here Image

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