Celtic Logo
Click Here to open Supanames.co.uk in a new window...

All images and text are Copyright 2003 Terry Faull.

   Details of the Holy Well

Back To List

Previous Record

Next Record

Location

 

Tavistock 1

 

Holy Well Name

 

St John's

 

Map Reference

 

SX479 739: Public access

 

Date Visited

 

Oct-02

 

This dripping well is to be found set into the bank close to the walk which runs alongside the river Tavy and just across the river from the main car park in the town. It has a fine carved granite canopy and of a pattern similar to carvings to be  found at the ruins of Tavistock Abbey nearby( these may have been added when work was done on the site in the 1950s).In 1946 a broken cross was recorded to be at the side of the well but no remains of this now exist Water runs from this well throughout the year despite the regular disturbance from works on the utility services which pass through the site. Tavistock Abbey was dedicated to Our Lady and to the Cornish saint St Rumon and was founded by Ordulf in 974AD. It is reasonable to link the well with John the Hermit who was said to have had a cell here and who is recorded in Tavistock Abbey documents of 1535, to have left "a little cross of silver in which is a piece of the true cross". Local information suggests that until recently it was considered good luck to throw a pebble over the left shoulder into the well and make a wish.

[Home Page] [About the Project] [History of Holy Wells] [Holy Wells List] [Holy Well Details] [Location Map] [Contact Us]