St Cleer Holy Well

A Grade One Scheduled Ancient Monument

What a fabulous weather day for some long over due tree pruning and grounds maintenance at the Holy Well of St. Cleer.

The Well is a Grade One Scheduled Ancient Monument – a demarcation earned by only 2.5% of buildings listed by Historic England and which warrants the caveat “exceptional interest.” It is thought to date back to the 15th Century and was renovated in 1864.

In November 2022, Cornwall Heritage Trust took ownership of St Cleer’s Well – a medieval holy well and wayside cross situated within a small walled enclosure in the middle of the village.

Empire Tree & Garden Services is immensely proud and pleased to have been able to carry out a target prune climbing crown reduction of the Oak tree to reduce the risk of damage to the monument and whilst on site to also effect a general tidy up and renovation of the grounds and surrounds. It was an unexpected pleasure to meet the Chair of Cornwall Heritage Trust Lt Col Richard Trant who was visiting for a photo-shoot for an article in the next Granite Post magazine of St Cleer parish.

This often over-looked monument is genuinely a local treasure of immeasurable cultural, historic and religious significance.

The 15th century spanned parts of the Late Middle Ages, early Renaissance period, and the early modern period, with major events including the fall of the Byzantine Empire, the the Battle of Agincourt - an unexpected English victory against the numerically superior French army which boosted English morale and prestige, crippled France and started a new period of English dominance in the war that would last for 14 years until France defeated England in the Siege of Orleans and ended the Hundred Years’ War. By the end of the 15th century, the Americas had been rediscovered by Christopher Columbus and the printing revolution had begun with the mass production of books. It was one of the most revolutionary centuries in history, particularly for the changing political structure of Europe.

According to Historic England, St Cleer’s well had the reputation for “curing the lame, the blind and the insane”.

In ancient times, it was used as a "bowsening" pool where residents of the village who were thought to be mad were immersed in the water several times. This was believed to cure their insanity. A metal grate currently prevents access to the waters of the Well - this may explain some behaviour in St Cleer parish….