Scheduled Monuments- Full Report
Summary Description of a Scheduled Monument
Reference Number
CD157
Name
St Ffraed's Well, Cynhawdre
Date of Designation
21/11/1994
Status
Designated
Location
Unitary Authority
Ceredigion
Community
Ystrad Meurig
Easting
267437
Northing
267058
Broad Class
Religious, Ritual and Funerary
Site Type
Holy Well
Period
Post Medieval/Modern
Description
Summary Description and Reason for Designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.
The monument consists of the remains of a holy well, probably dating to the medieval or post-medieval period. The monument is a well or spring, possessing religious or otherwise ritualistic significance. It is covered by a drystone chamber, c 2m wide and 2.5m deep, dug into the adjacent field bank. The front elevation rises to a triangular gable and has an opening 0.5m square. The wellchamber is semi-circular with partly plastered drystone walls and massive slabs form the roof and lintel.
The monument is a very well-preserved and rare form of simple well chamber with no immediate parallels known in West Wales. It is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of the organisation and practice of Christianity. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. A holy well may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can be further enhanced by their group value.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.