Davidstow Well,
Cornwall
 
 
Front view of the well house
The spring behind the iron studded oak door
The wells on Bodmin Moor are rather like the moor itself - stark and defiant. Davidstow well is no exception. The well house is a low structure constructed from local granite and is now decorated with patches of lichen. It sits in the desolate loneliness of an open field behind the church, seemingly forgotten. A single, gnarled thorn tree grows from the roof. This is a site in stark contrast to the fecund locations of wells like Alsia, Madron and Sancreed.
 
One Michael Williams restored the well in the nineteenth century. His worn initials can still be seen carved above the door along with a date for the deed which is now indecipherable. The granite facade fronts a low mound bordered by a wall constructed from stone stacked in a herringbone fashion. The water rises into a deep pool which is found by opening the weathered oak and wrought iron door located at the centre of the symmetrical facade. Built into the roof, inside the dank chamber, is a huge foot-thick chunk of granite with a squared hole cut through it - an unusual choice of roofing material. It may be that this stone was brought from the holy well of St. Austen at Lesneweth which Williams robbed during his reconstruction. Alternatively, maybe it is a remnant of a monument like that found at Men-an-Tol. We have no way of knowing.
 
The water supply is reputed to never run dry, even though, since the war, the water has been pumped away to a nearby cheese factory at a phenomenal rate. Although not as atmospheric as other wells mentioned on these pages, Davidstow well is worthy of a visit. It is a lonely and fascinating well in need of some sympathetic restoration. A bleak site in a bleak landscape. Perhaps by visiting it and caring for it, the spirit of place could be recharged to its former glory.
 
 
O.S.G.R.: 
 SX 153 874 ().
Location: 
 Davidstow village; 4 miles NE of Camelford, 11 miles W of Launceston.
Directions: 
 Turn off the northbound A39 for the A395 to Launceston. After 1 mile, Davidstow church can be seen by the road on the left. The well house is in the field behind the water pumping station located just beyond the church.
 

 
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These pages are maintained occasionally by Richard L. Pederick.
Last updated 12/3/99.
All material in these pages is copyright to Richard L. Pederick unless otherwise stated.
Copyright 1989-99 CE.