sacred kernow - dupath well

Dupath well is a 15th century well house that I adore. It's quietly hidden away in Callington. However you should note that you need to drive past barns and a farm shop before you see it. (please be respectful as it remains a working farm) 

Dupath is said to be the largest and most impressive Well House in Cornwall, constructed from grey granite blocks, with a roof made from long stones that run the length of the building, overlapping each another.

I don't think I had fully prepared myself for the magic it had to share with me. However first we needed to do alittle energetic spring clean. 

Energy here was alittle slow and stiff, but I kind of expected this to be honest. We did a little grid work and clearing and it was feeling alot lighter by the time I left. The water was very talkative and bubbly, which is one of the reasons I love sacred sites with water. They always have so many memories to share and with water there are usually some preistess of Lemuria vibes. 

Anyway..her song was beautiul and her message was gentle. (shared in my Insta stories & tiktok incase you missed it). Let's talk about the history. ​

The History...
​
Thought to date from the 15th century, it is the only example of a well house with an open porch-like design in Cornwall. Its pillars, arches and capitals are carved with simple mouldings and patterns which are also unusual in Cornwall at this date.

During the medieval period, holy wells sometimes functioned as sites for baptism but they were also revered for less tangible reasons, such as folklore beliefs in the healing powers of the water. According to Historic England, St Cleer’s had the reputation for “curing the lame, the blind and the insane”.

However dupath well was built over an existing holy well/spring which was dedicated to St Ethelred, King of Mercia, who died in 709. Augustinian canons from St German’s Abbey, near Saltash, built the wellhouse sometime between 1500-1510. The building was restored in the Victorian period. It was to became a place of pilgrimage when water flowing into a stone basin inside the building was found to have miraculous healing properties. The well water was reportedly able to cure whooping cough, but also other diseases too.

Garry Hogg (1968) says of the: “Well-Chapel, Dupath, The site (as so often) was probably a pagan one, sanctified in medieval times by the Christian Church as the new Faith spread further into this ‘outlandish’ corner of the country. Inevitably it has an accretion of legend. This wouldn't be the first time we have heard of the church claiming a pagan site, so it wouldn't suprise me in the slightest if this were probably true. 

​There is a legend attached to Dupath Well and its untypical romantic beauty. 

The story is said that there were two rival suitors for the hand of a saxon maiden. Gotlieb, a wealthy gentleman, was the perferred choice by the maidens father, however like many stories of women throughout history the maiden herself loved a poor knight, Sir Colan. 

The fight was long and hard, but eventually Gotlieb was killed. Sir Colan then built the well to atone for his sins. Then he also died from a wound inflicted during the fight. 

 Where we will go next... I'm not sure. I write these upon reflection and post when I feel I have shared all there is that I currently know. Next up... Berry Tower in Bodmin...man was that an energetic shit storm when we happened to come across it.. until then you can get my monthly email with all the sacred site visits for Cornwall or pop back at your own leisure.

​Oceans of Love Cx

The exact address is: Dupath Ln, Callington PL17 8AD for those of you that are planning a visit. and you'll find the well behind the farm shop along the lane on your right. 

Don't miss the next Adventure! Sign up here for my monthly Emails