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
24347
Building Number
Grade
II
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
30/10/2000
Date of Amendment
30/10/2000
Name of Property
Ffynnon Sara
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Denbighshire
Community
Derwen
Town
Locality
Derwen
Easting
306438
Northing
351548
Street Side
Location
1 km north west of Derwen church, in as small roadside enclosure with perimeter wall and gate.
Description
Broad Class
Religious, Ritual and Funerary
Period
History
Ffynnon Sara or Sarah (also named Fynnon Pyllau Perl by Edward Lhuyd in 1698) is close to the ancient road through North Wales from Bala to Holywell. The water of the well was reputed to be effective in the cure of cancer, stone and rheumatism. Pins were offered. The origin of the name is obscure, Sara possibly having been the name of a custodian living in the adjacent cottage, where crutches were often left. The cottage, which stood at the roadside, was burned down in about 1860. In c1900 Thomas described the well as 'a large square bath of rude masonry, the bottom of which is reached by steps.'
The well was restored by the rector of Derwen, the Rev. J P Cooke, in 1972-3.
Exterior
A shallow stone-lined bath about 4.3 by 2.4 metres, sunk into the ground except at one end where the water overflows over a low sill to the adjacent stream. To one side at the opposite end is a short flight of stone steps from a small kerb-surrounded paved area. The water trickles in at a concealed point, and would be about 0.3 m deep if full to the overflow level. Although restored, the well matches an earlier description.
Interior
Reason for designation
A restored well on an ancient pilgrimage route, long credited with healing properties.
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