Name: Dupath Well
Rating: 5.0

Dupath Well

Dupath Farm, W F COOMBE & SON, Dupath Ln, Callington, Cornwall PL17 8AD, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Dupath Well This charming well-house stands over an ancient spring, believed to cure whooping cough. Built by the Augustinian canons of the nearby St Germans Priory around 1500, it houses the remains of an immersion pool for cure-seekers.

In the medieval period the cult of holy wells was very strong, and during that time about 40 Cornish springs or wells had structures of some kind built over them, usually simple gabled houses. Dupath is an unusually large and late example of such a holy well-house, and it has survived largely unaltered.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Dupath Well: In the medieval period the cult of holy wells was very strong, and during that time about 40 Cornish springs or wells had structures of some kind built over them, usually simple gabled houses. Dupath is an unusually large and late example of such a holy well-house, and it has survived largely unaltered.
The small chapel-like building was probably built in about 1510 by the Augustinian canons of the nearby priory of St Germans, to whom the site belonged. It was dedicated to St Ethelred.
At one time the spring at Dupath was believed to cure whooping cough, and it has been suggested that, in addition to its role in healing the sick, the spring may have been used on occasion for baptisms.
The little building may have been a worthwhile financial investment for the canons of St Germans, since visitors to the spring would have left offerings, much as they do at wishing wells today. We know from monastic records that such sources of income were jealously guarded by religious houses.
Although the cult of holy wells was condemned at the time of the Reformation in the mid-16th century, local reverence for them and folklore customs continued, in some cases to the present day.
They often attracted local legend. One grim tale associated with Dupath recounts that two Saxons – Colan (Cornish for heart or courage) and Gottlieb – fought a duel there for a lady’s hand. But the maiden remained unmarried: Colan was killed outright and Gottlieb fatally wounded, though some versions say he died later of ‘impatience’.
The architecture of the well-house is typical of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Built entirely of Cornish granite, it has a steeply pitched roof, constructed from courses of granite slabs that run the length of the building. There are badly weathered pinnacles at each corner and a small bell turret, with a highly elaborate canopy, over the entrance.
The interior is lit by one small vertical slit window in each side wall and a larger decorated two-light window in the east wall.

Facilities

Parking: There is a designated parking area within the farmyard. Please take care as this is a working farm, so you may encounter livestock or farm machinery.
Food & Drinks: The town of Callington is located just 1 mile away and has a number of cafes, shops and pubs.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dupath-well/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Dupath Farm, W F COOMBE & SON, Dupath Ln, Callington, Cornwall PL17 8AD, UK

Post Code: PL17 8AD

Council: Cornwall

County: Cornwall

Road Access: 1 mile east of Callington off A388.
Train Access: Gunnislake Station (4.5miles / 7.3kms), Liskeard (10.0miles / 16.0kms) or Plymouth (12.3miles / 19.8kms). To reach Dupath Well catch buses listed.
Bus Access: Callington is served by the following bus routes operated by Go Cornwall: Buses 12 from Plymouth and Saltash. Bus 12 from Launceston or Bude. Bus 74 from Liskeard (Lloyds Bank). Bus 79/79A from Tavistock and Gunnislake. To reach Dupath Well involves a walk of between 0.5 and 1.3 miles / 0.7 km to 2.0kms.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is a designated parking area within the farmyard. Please take care as this is a working farm, so you may encounter livestock or farm machinery.