Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Summary Description
Reference Number
1133
Building Number
Grade
II
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
22/12/1989
Date of Amendment
22/12/1989
Name of Property
Wellhouse with Font in the grounds of Plas Newydd
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Denbighshire
Community
Llangollen
Town
Locality
Easting
321903
Northing
341546
Street Side
Location
At the SE edge of the Glen reached along path beside the Cyflymen brook and beside one of the bridges.
Description
Broad Class
Domestic
Period
History
Erected in 1782 by Lady Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby at the beginning of their programme of laying out the grounds at Plas Newydd. Comprises a central well under a Gothic arch and garden seats set in the corner of the return walls forward to either side. The rubble construction with freestone dressings makes use of masonry recovered from Valle Crucis Abbey.
Exterior
The medieval octagonal font from the abbey forms the bowl of the well and a gargoyle delivers the water to it.
This is set within a semicircular grotto-like recess behind a roll moulded pointed arch; carved stop at apex above which is a weathered finial. The wall to either side has sloping parapets and inset inscribed stone tablets. They are inscribed:- 'Drink Gentle Pilgrim from the well thus sacred in this hollow dell. Drink deep yet ere the yearning lip touches the draught it longs to sip. Pray for the souls of those who gave this font that holds the limped wave. This Holy font which lay o'er thrown mid Valle Crucis' shadows brown and which the hand of Holy men have blest but neer can bless again. Drink happy pilgrim daily and pray at morning dawn or twilight grey. Pray for the souls those who gave this font that holds the limped wave. E B 1782 S.P'.
At the corners are inset pieces of medieval pier mouldings, also below the stone seats - remains of clustered and filleted shafts.
Interior
Reason for designation
Group value with Plas Newydd and other listed items in the grounds.
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]
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