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The Virtuous Well is a post-medieval holy well located in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference MM171. Holy wells were significant sites of pilgrimage and healing throughout the medieval period and beyond, often associated with saints or local legends. The well's name reflects the spiritual attributes that drew pilgrims seeking remedy and blessing.
The site sits upon Lower Devonian rocks of undifferentiated character, comprising sandstone and conglomerate beds laid down during the Early Devonian period. This geological foundation would have influenced the well's water flow and quality, characteristics that may have contributed to its reputation for virtue and healing properties. The interbedded nature of the underlying strata created natural aquifers capable of sustained water supply.
Post-medieval holy wells represent a continuation of earlier religious practice, often maintained and visited long after the Reformation. The Virtuous Well's survival and official protection indicate its enduring cultural significance within the Welsh landscape. Such wells frequently served dual purposes as both spiritual sites and practical freshwater sources for local communities, sustaining their importance through centuries of changing belief and settlement patterns.
The Virtuous Well is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference MM171. View the official record →
The Virtuous Well is a post-medieval holy well located in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference MM171.
The Virtuous Well dates from the post medieval period, and is classified as a holy well. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
The Virtuous Well is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is MM171.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Chepstow Park Wood Cairn (7.7 km), The Cold Bath: Piercefield (8.6 km), St Arvan's Church Cross-slab (8.7 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of The Virtuous Well's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
The Virtuous Well stands on Lower Devonian Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is sandstone and conglomerate, interbedded.