Holywell (Bedfordshire)

Stevington Holy Well

Beautiful holy well outside the church grounds of St Mary the Virgin in the quiet Bedfordshire village of Stevington. The church dates from the 15th century and has two ruined chapels either side of the chancel which has sadly fallen into disrepair. The spring issues from limestone rock underneath the church and the archway is incorporated into the wall of the church. This well is a lot bigger and impressive than any photos do it justice and the water is crystal clear.

This ancient spring was thought to heal eyes and was used by pilgrims for centuries.

Robert Charles Hope in his Legendary Lore of the Holy Wells of England 1893) writes the following;

“There is a well or spring at Stevington-on-Ouse, seven miles up the valley from Bedford. On the ordnance six-inch map it is engraved “Holy Well,” in Old English lettering, a plan adopted by them for distinguishing ancient buildings or relics from modern institutions. Stevington holy well is arched over, and built into the churchyard wall of St. Mary’s Church, and abuts upon the modern alluvium of the Ouse, which there forms a considerable flat. The church stands on rising ground, formed of alternating beds of limestone and clay, which holds up the water percolating the limestone-hence, probably, the spring. The water was clear, sparkling, and tasteless, although I was prepared to find it a mineral water of some kind. At one time people visited this holy well in considerable numbers, but, like many others, it appears now to have lost its popularity.”

There is space for about 4 cars in lay-by outside the church and the direction of the well is clearly signposted on the notice board (right of the church yard). You will need to wade through some rare Butter Bur plants in summer to get to the spring. I would really recommend a visit to this well particularly on a hot summers day so you can make use of paddling in the spring.