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.

THE MYSTERIOUS MENACUDDLE CHAPEL & HOLY WELL

It was a dull, damp day but I decided to walk to Menacuddle, where there is a small chapel and  holy well. When I arrived at my destination all was quiet, with no one else about - perfect!

I snapped a few quick photos as I walked. The White River and the waterfall always fascinate me. The whiteness comes from the local china clay.

Looking back over the waterfall, to the right of the next photo, a chair can be seen. This is full size and is made of granite. It is known as the Druids Chair and sometimes even as King Arthur's seat.

The next two photos show the small 'chapel'. Visitors have left flowers.

The Chapel dates back to the 15th century and is now a Grade II listed building.  It is aligned east-west with the east wall built against the natural rock face. 

I followed the White River, there was a dampness in the air.

Water ahead but ...

... be careful as the water can be quite deep.

I took a different route on the way back but the river came with me.

Green topped water.

As the rain was determined to continue I was soon looking down on the waterfall once more.

The old bridge on the way out of Menacuddle.

Below is a newish part of Menacuddle, quite pleasant but a little too neat and organised for my taste. 

The rain started getting heavier so I made my way homeward bound.

As I walked I did stop when there were glimpses of the White River making it's way to the sea.

Thanks for popping in to visit my Blog. All good wishes ~ Mike.

The Peaceful Holy Well and Chapel at Menacuddle Cornwall

Today it's Menacuddle with its Holy Well and small chapel. I have previously covered this in an older post - see The Secretive Menacuddle Holy Well and Chapel, Cornwall - but its appearance changes with the seasons.

It's now rhododendron time so lots of red and pink flowers. 

And a few yellow flowers as well.

I like wandering around the area, especially when there is no one else about, which mostly seems to be the case on the occasions I have visited. It seems to be off the tourist trail.

There is a small lake, though it has a green topping at the moment.

It's very pleasant to sit and just enjoy. A while back I brought one of my wife's German relations here and she was fascinated by the Holy Well. She filled a large bottle with the water to take back to Germany. She now looks twenty years younger - okay, I lied about the last bit!

As I have written previously 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. It was also used to treat ulcers. 

Anyway, I wandered back through the gardens.

There's a picnic area, all on it's lonesome.

The small chapel below is where the holy well lives.

Here's a better photo of the small chapel I snapped a while back, from a different angle. As I mentioned earlier Menacuddle changes with the seasons.

Details of how to find Menacuddle can be seen on my Post : The Secretive Menacuddle Holy Well and Chapel, Cornwall


Thanks for visiting my blog, good wishes ~ Mike.

Menacuddle Chapel and Holy Well, Cornwall

We popped into the Holy Well and Chapel at Menacuddle, near St.Austell. The last time we were here was one year ago - how time flies!

Not a lot has changed. I won't go into the history of the chapel and well again, as I covered this on my previous post: The Secretive Menacuddle Holy Well and Chapel, Cornwall. 

The waterfall and river isn't so white on this visit. It is often coloured by china clay deposits in the area. Locally, therefore, it is known as the White River.

A few duotone photos of chapel and area.

Inside the small chapel, it appears clearer and cleaner than a year ago when it was filled with candles and various mementos.  I thought they gave the chapel more character and even a more holy feeling. Of course it is often said that Cleanliness is next to Godliness - so what do I know. Those words are from a 1778 sermon in 1778 by John Wesley.

All shipshape on the outside.

We wandered round the grounds as I couldn't think of any more suitable quotes! Lots of green, green grass … and a pond of sorts.

Some fine trees by the river.

A final look at the waterfall prior to moving on.

Always a pleasure to visit the chapel and, again, we were on our own while there.