The well has been through two restorations, firstly in 1871 by Michael Williams, and the archway above the door bears testimony to this fact, and secondly in 1996 by Fred Sanders of St.Breward under the auspices of and financed by the Cornwall Archaeological Unit. It is currently in an overgrown state and can prove difficult to access.
Constructed in regular granite blocks, some of which it is said were taken from a ruined chapel in Lesnewth
wth at the time of the 1871 restoration, the facade is four metres long and one and a half metres at its highest point. The stones around the doorway are characteristic of the medieval period and the base of each of the flanking stones shows the beginnings of what may be original decoration. A new oak doorway made in exactly the same style as the old one, using new timber but the original iron fittings, was hung at the time of the 1996 restoration.
In their book “Ancient and Holy Wells of Cornwall”, published in 1894, L & M Quiller-Couch describe the Holy Well at Davidstow as being more uncommon than beautiful. The water has no peculiar virtue ascribed to it neither is there any legend or tradition belonging to the well.
The water from the well, after suitable treatment, is used in making the now famous Davidstow Cheese.
If you would like to expand the Ancient Wells Series by placing a cache of your own please contact
LizMar2010
to request a number and to add the cache to the bookmark list
This series will encompass both ancient and non ancient wells such as springs and other water features which will always be worth a visit