St Seiriol’s Well, Penmon

A small chamber shelters the spring north of Penmon’s church. The holy well belongs to a wider monastic landscape, but has its own place in devotion: pilgrims still gather here for prayer and the blessing of water.

Cadw records a longstanding healing reputation. Today, documented church processions bring prayer to the spring itself, keeping this place more than an architectural remnant. Accounts of healing express religious belief, not an assurance of medical effects.

Stand back from the opening to let others approach. From here, the nearby church and priory place the small water source within the everyday needs and devotional life of a monastic settlement.

Welsh tradition tells of Seiriol and Cybi travelling from opposite sides of Anglesey to meet at Clorach for prayer and friendship. Cybi faced the sun on his journeys and became known as the Tanned; Seiriol travelled with it behind him and became the Fair. The modern Anglesey Saints Way recalls their companionship, linking Holyhead with Penmon.

The early saint association does not make every surviving stone sixth-century. Cadw describes the well’s enclosing structure as later; the adjacent remains are interpreted cautiously as a possible dwelling.

The Diocese of Sourozh records that pilgrims processed here after liturgy on 29 July 2023 and held a water-blessing moleben. That account documents a particular gathering, not a current annual timetable.

Allow worshippers space and follow the leader’s guidance if attending an announced service.

Penmon holds both archaeological questions and a living religious relationship with its saint.

Continue through the atlas by country, tradition, physical form, or a focused search that combines this place’s strongest context.

Explore other sacred places in the region. Proximity does not establish access or travel time; check each place’s guidance.

Bangor Cathedral

Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom

10.0 km away

Bryn Celli Ddu

Llanddaniel Fab, Wales, United Kingdom

16.2 km away

Bodowyr Dolmen

Llangaffo, Wales, United Kingdom

21.0 km away

Tŷ Newydd burial chamber

Ty Croes, Wales, United Kingdom

29.8 km away

Sources consulted for this page. Source categories describe the publication, not a guarantee that every claim is verified. Traditional accounts and outside interpretations may differ.

1. 01Penmon Priory, Cross and St Seiriol’s Well — Cadw, Welsh GovernmentofficialSaint association, well and later structure, neighbouring priory and current visitor guidance.
2. 02St Seiriol’s Well — Scheduled Monument AN062 — Cadw, Welsh GovernmentofficialWell identity and British National Grid easting 263060, northing 380798. Coordinates transformed EPSG:27700 to EPSG:4326 using pyproj; rounded to five decimal places. Well, forecourt and possible dwelling distinguished.
3. 03Priests mark Celtic saints’ legacy with Anglesey pilgrimage — The Church in WalesSource contextModern pilgrimage recalls Seiriol and Cybi’s traditional friendship and meetings at Clorach.
4. 04A pilgrimage to the St Seiriol’s Well in Wales — Diocese of SourozhSource contextFirst-party account of 29 July 2023 liturgy, procession and water-blessing prayer. Does not establish future event dates or medical efficacy.
5. 05Anglesey Saints Way / Llwybr Cybi a Seiriol, North Wales — British Pilgrimage TrustSource contextPublic friendship legend and contemporary route from Holyhead to Penmon.