Madron Well and Baptistry, Cornwall

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Hello there and thank you for dropping by. I know it's been a while since I posted here but I guess I was 'Away with the Faerys' myself a bit too long..lol...

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Talking about Fairies, I visited a place recently where some may reside. In July my niece Beth and her friend came for a short break and one of the places we visited was Madron Well and Baptistry here in Cornwall. Hubby drove us there but remained in the car, he doesn't have the same passion for such places as I do. He is a gem though for being patient while I go off on my treks...

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So please enjoy your visit to Madron...

Madron Village, Cornwall
(Curtsey of Tony Atkin)

Approxamately two miles from Penzance, West Cornwall, is the village of Madron (Cornish: Eglosvadern). Outside the village is Madron Well, a Cornish Celtic sacred site which is renouned for it's healing properties. Until the 18th century it was the only source of water for Madron and Penzance. Not far from the Well is Madron Baptistry (Well-Chapel)....

Through the Trees..

and nature we go.

As you make your way towards the Well and Baptistry what strikes you instantly is the lack of modern day noise, bliss...No sounds of traffic interrupt your thoughts as you make your way along the dirt track. Trees and shrubs make an archway, as nature intended. The only sounds to break the silence is the humming of insects, birdsong and hushed voices of the people that visit here. The ground is never completely dry due to the collection of trees, shrubs, and wild flowers which for the most part is shaded from the sun rays. The area has a magical feel about it, you can almost see the fairies and the pixies running through the trees...

Some sun rays do filter through in parts..

A knarled tree protects the path

A clearing with some sunshine

A canopy of trees..

Regardless of the time of year, the area around the Well and Cloutie tree is wet and muddy. Suitable footwear is recommended as my sister would tell you. The first time I visited here with my nieces and sister she was wearing indian style sandals. Needless to say they were not so sparkly on our return to the car that day..

The base of the Cloutie Tree

Moss and fern blend in with the bushes

What is first noticed as you approach the Well is the sudden splash of assorted colours that adorn the tree. It's a pleasing thought to know that people do in fact still visit and respect the true purpose of the Well and Cloutie Tree..

The Cloutie Tree

A tradition, as with most Holy Wells and Springs, was to attach Clouties (pieces of cloth or ribbon) to nearby bushes or trees as a symbol of appeasement to the spirits and for healing. A ritual that is still practised today, as can be seen at Madron Well..

A Contrast of Colours

A Cloutie may be a piece of cloth torn from the affected area of a person's body and so represented the ailment. When a Cloutie was attached to a bush or tree a prayer was said to the spirit of the Well and is part of the healing ritual. There are variations to the healing ritual depending on what part of the country you are in. At Madron Well it is believed that as the cloth rots away so will the ailment...

Curtsey of Jim Champion

The water around the Cloutie Tree is thought by people to be the Well but apparently it is not. But who are we to say it is or it isn't. The notion that it may be is symbolic enough for me.
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Apart from the Cloutie Tree the Well is identified by a stone grante surround which was rebuilt in the early 1980's from stones found in the area. So this may not have been how the original Well would have looked...

Muddy water near the Cloutie Tree

The earliest reference to this site was in 1640. It was at this time in the month of May that 'The Cripple John Trelill' came and bathed once a week for three weeks. After which he slept on St. Maddern's Bed, a mound nearby which location is not now known, and was cured. From this time onwards the site was venerated and visited often...

My niece Beth aged 16, who assures me she is still a 'Maiden'..lol..

Another purpose for the Well was for Divination. One of which was for maidens to visit the site the first three Thursdays in the month of May (near Beltane). The ritual would be to cross two pieces of straw, secured with a pin, and float it on the surface of the water. The rising bubbles would be counted and would be an indication of how many years before they would be married. This custom continued until WW1 in the 20th century. A similar ritual was performed to make wishes...Who knows, these customs may still be performed today!!...

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The Well is thought to have been at this site since pre-Christian times and well before the Baptistry (Well-Chapel) which we will now visit....

Nearly there, the sunlight shows the way


Through the Gateway

Madron Baptistry (Well-Chapel)

(Curtsy of Jim Champion)

As you approach the Well-Chapel you find a small roofless stone building nestled under trees and near to fields. Ivy and wild flowers grow over the walls with fern sprouting from the cracks in the stone walls.

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The present building dates back to the 12th century but it is thought that there was another building here from Celtic times onwards...

Madron's Parish Church

(Curtsey of Tony Atkin)

The site has a long history of spiritual use by both Christians and pagans. The Chapel is dedicated to St. Madron (or Madrona or local dialect St. Maddern), who is also the Patron Saint of Madron''s Parish Church. Little is known about St. Maddern but it is thought that he travelled from Brittany to Cornwall. It is also thought that he was a monk and a hermit and that he built this Baptistry in which converts from Paganism could be baptised...

The Chapel's Altar

(Curtsey of Jim Champion)

Fern growing beneath the stone seat

The entrance to the Chapel's well

(Curtsey of Jim Champion)

The Well

The interior of the Chapel houses a stone altar and a well with running water in the opposite corner. The source of this water was originally from the Holy Well but it also now contains water from the surrounding fields. The water runs clear and gently splashes over the ivy and fern growing there. The Chapel draws you in to rest a while and take a break from the realities of modern life. The ruin in it's simplicity offers such contentment that on leaving you feel at peace on your return journey along the well-worn path...

The Path leading you back to the 21st Century...

Farewell to the Trees, Guardians of this Enchanted Place...

I hope the magic of this place touched you for a time. Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy xx