Entrance to other worlds

Image: © Neil Owen Taken: 18 Sep 2012

The doorway into a dark and hushed world of older spirits and shrines, this place has a fairly varied history. Originally it is thought that many people worshipped here throughout antiquity as water flowed out of the ground, known as the Red and White Springs, running down from the Tor. Despite this reverence, the water was earmarked by the Water Board for the town and in 1872 this large stone reservoir was erected to store it, partially covering some of the old monks' cells. Cholera was a problem in the town, but local opinion was strongly against it. Sadly, the high calcium content furred up the pipes and it fell into disuse by the end of the century. Finally sold off in the 1980s, it became a cafe but in 2005 it was sold again to new owners who have returned it to a sacred place once more. Largely run by volunteers, the old springs are a place of spirituality for visitors. See http://www.whitespring.org.uk/default.html#ancHeader for the website and Image] for the stonework.

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