Friday, 26 January 2024

Menacuddle: Chapel, Holy Well and White Waterfall


It was a damp, cold day but I felt drawn to visit Menacuddle, St.Austell, with it's small chapel and holy well. It's quite a magical place - well I think so.


The small waterfall, with its white colour always fascinates me. 


The white colour is from the local china clay deposits.


On my visit all was peaceful, I was the only person in the area.


Here we are, below, at the chapel and holy well. A few ribbons remain left by visitors, though the weather has taken its toll. The chapel was built in the 15th century and is aligned east west - with the east wall built into  the  natural rock wall.


The chapel is 11 feet long and 9 feet wide.


The Holy spring water was once held in high regard for its curative powers. Sick children were regularly bathed here and the Victorians  recommended the drinking of its salubrious fluid. I wouldn't recommend drinking the water nowadays though!


There is only one concern about Menacuddle, it is said to be renowned for having a supernatural presence - including a terrifying black beast!

In 2016 an Express newspaper had a headline which stated: 
"The grisley remains of a centuries old corpse has been discovered in a creepy British woodland - which locals believe is haunted ."


I have to say that, personally, I have never felt uneasy when visiting Menacuddle - the opposite in fact I find it peaceful and uplifting.


I like to walk the paths. There are also a few seats to sit for awhile.






To finish on, above, is a very old bridge and below a granite chair known as the Druids Chair. It is also sometimes called King Arthur's seat.


On the way into Menacuddle you may notice the Brake Manor, as above.



To visit Menacuddle leave the town of Austell  via the B3274. You will pass  the building as shown above, and go  under a bridge. Shortly after this you will see a sign on the left to Menacuddle. It is very easy to miss this, so slow down!

That's all for today, thanks for visiting my blog.
~ Mike.



8 comments:

  1. Another lovely stroll, Mike. What a beautiful spot. That waterfall is gorgeous as are the chapel and woodlands. It definitely looks like a peaceful place rather than one of horrific, scary beasts!

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    1. Many thanks, it's somewhere away from the usual Cornish tourist areas, so is mostly quiet and peaceful. The river is often quite white in colour. Good wishes.

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  2. I love that chair.
    I'd like two for my living room :-)

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    1. Hello Darren - afraid the chair is too heavy for the mail!!

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    2. Funny thing is Mike that I've just read/listened to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'The Hounds of the Baskervilles', even though that story takes place further north than where you live ... not that you could probably live any further south in England:-)

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  4. Waterfalls always appeal, especially in the Autumn with Beech leaves. I'm used to seeing these scenes in the Lake District where the water has a dark tinge from peat, the China Clay adds a sparkle. David.

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  5. Thanks David, it's quite awhile since we were in the Lake District, a lovely area. The whiteness of the river changes dependent on the rainfall, sometimes its a pure, strong white.

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