Ancient Wells #11 Sancreed Well Traditional Cache
Hidden : 4/20/2012
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is our second WELL cache (see Madron Well (GCXKRA) and takes you past another one of Cornwall's most interesting Holy Well’s and it’s associated Chapel (the cache is NOT hidden in or near the well & chapel)

PLEASE re-hide WELL (no pun intended ) SANCREED WELL LOCATION Sancreed Well (also known as Chapel Downs) can be found near to the small hamlet of Sancreed in the centre of the West Penwith peninsula. ACCESS At Sancreed you can park beside the Church and a public path from the telephone box opposite leads to the well. DESCRIPTION Sancreed holy well lies in a pine and holly grove, and steps lead deeply down into a womb like chamber, covered with corbelled stone walls and roof. There is now a relatively shallow level of water, though in recent times it was at a much higher level: something seems to have affected the water table, reducing the height of the water. Nevertheless, the water is still clear and cold, and the surrounding moss often shines with a phosphorescent glow, giving the whole site a very magical grotto-like feel. The well, which probably originally dates from pre-Christian times, was lost and buried in thick undergrowth for a number of years, but was re-discovered by the Vicar of Sancreed in 1879, and subsequently kept clear by a Juliette Shanks, who has a plaque dedicated to her on the site. The remains of a early Chapel lie behind the well, with a large 15th century carved stone in one corner, which may have originally formed part of an arch. A modern Christian cross designed in a Celtic fashion stands next to it. FOLKLORE & LEGEND Attached to the trees nearby there are often 'clouties' or pieces of rags left hanging. This was a traditional custom at healing wells, whereby rags were torn from part of the body where there was injury or hurt and tied on a tree close to the well. As the material disintegrated (most materials were biodegradable) so the hurt was supposed to go. Nowadays, the rags are probably hung by people for good luck. Sancreed Church, and thus by implication the well, is dedicated to St.Credan, a mythological saint who in the old texts supposedly accidentally killed his father and became a swineherd in penance. Sancreed Church has a carving of him holding a pig above the porch door. In Celtic mythology pigs were totem animals of the Otherworld, and swineherds often have an initiatory significance, representing contact with the Otherworld. Whether a coincidence or not, this legend seems to be particularly appropriate at this well that seems to lead down into the Underworld. PLEASE TREAT THIS SITE WITH RESPECT & LEAVE NO LITTER OR OFFERINGS. IF YOU DECIDE TO TIE A CLOTH TO THE TREE PLEASE ENSURE IT IS APPROPRIATE. After visiting why not try birds of prey (GCNQWW) by The Midnight Hunterz which is a short walk away (follow the path up to the road)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Uvtu abg Ybj

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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