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   Details of the Holy Well

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Location

 

Ashburton 1

 

Holy Well Name

 

St Gudula's Well

 

Map Reference

 

SX754 694: Public Access

 

Date Visited

 

Jan-03

 

Situated alongside the old road to Totnes on the outskirts of Ashburton, the site has been restored with a re-erected ancient  cross and flight of stone steps leading down to the well which consists of a 1m square stone trough at base of stone wall below road level. Plaque on the wall records this as St Gudula's Well and notes that the water was believed to be beneficial for problems of the eyes. Local information confirmed that recent roadwork's have affected flow of water to the well, but cleaning of debris could remedy this. Site is Grade 2 and included in Devon Sites and Monuments Register. Parish church has been dedicated to St Andrew since at least 1454 and a chantry church close to well site is dedicated to St Lawrence. Information about St Gudula is confusing- some references say this saint is the same as St Gudwall also known as St Wulvella and remembered at Gulval in Cornwall and others say that she is the St Gudula who died in 712AD and became the patron of Brussels Cathedral. References from Buckfast Abbey and Baring -Gould say that St Wulvella was the sister of St Sidwell and often connected with her- ( there is a Stidwell in Ashburton parish, perhaps this gives a clue about the real identity of the patron of this well). Whoever, today it is an attractive and cared for site.

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