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OS grid reference about SD.357013. It is best to start at the Punch Bowl Inn carpark, Sefton, then travel a short distance along Lunt Road by St Helen's church. A footpath/lane is reached where a barrier stands and about 10 metres opposite the main road beneath the undergrowth is St. Helen's holy well, or what remains of it.
The well is now, sadly, capped off with an inscribed stone that recalls ST HELEN'S WELL. The well originally stood inside a rather nice little wellhouse with a pyramid shaped, overlapping roof, with railings running around it. It was renowned for its icy waters which were especially good for people suffering from rheumatism, sprains, bruising and, also nervous problems. It had a hand pump at the side of the well-house to enable people to drink the water. But all this has now gone, though the church congregation still visit the site on the saint's feastday and are still hoping that some day the well will be restored again.
It was probably a preChristian spring that in the Middle Ages turned into a pilgrimage site, especially so in the 14th century when the church was built close by. In pre-Reformation times it was much in use, but later on and in more recent times it had become a wishing well; pins were thrown into the well by young folk. Apparently, if the pin could be seen at the bottom of the well a favourable outcome was likely with regard to good luck in a forthcoming marriage by a couple much in love.
The well is now, sadly, capped off with an inscribed stone that recalls ST HELEN'S WELL. The well originally stood inside a rather nice little wellhouse with a pyramid shaped, overlapping roof, with railings running around it. It was renowned for its icy waters which were especially good for people suffering from rheumatism, sprains, bruising and, also nervous problems. It had a hand pump at the side of the well-house to enable people to drink the water. But all this has now gone, though the church congregation still visit the site on the saint's feastday and are still hoping that some day the well will be restored again.
It was probably a preChristian spring that in the Middle Ages turned into a pilgrimage site, especially so in the 14th century when the church was built close by. In pre-Reformation times it was much in use, but later on and in more recent times it had become a wishing well; pins were thrown into the well by young folk. Apparently, if the pin could be seen at the bottom of the well a favourable outcome was likely with regard to good luck in a forthcoming marriage by a couple much in love.
