The Holywell Way

The Holywell Way, Wrexham to Holywell - 25 miles, 2-3 days

Pilgrimage to St Winifrede's Well at Holywell, a shrine with a history of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages.

Much of this pilgrimage uses the Wat's Dyke Way, a heritage trail following a Dark Age earthwork thought to have been constructed by the Saxon rulers of Mercia to protect their boundary with North Wales.  The terrain is mostly easy going through verdant valleys, woodlands and quiet lanes although there is some slightly higher level walking in the second half affording the pilgrim some fine views.

The pilgrim destination of St Winifrede's Well is probably the finest well in Wales, equal in importance to St Non's Well in St Davids but more impressive in its grandeur.  The story around the well is that Winifrede was a beautiful 7th Century Christian who spurned the advances of a prince suitor who cut off her head in his anger.  Fortunately for Winifrede, her uncle St Beuno was nearby and restored her head and her life but where her head had fallen a well spring appeared and so became St Winifrede's Well.

Also of interest at the end of the route, do visit the ruins of Basingwerk Abbey just 1 mile from the well.  This was a Cistercian monastery founded in the 12th Century and although it marks the end of the Holywell Way, it is also the start of the North Wales Pilgrim's Way from Holywell to Bardsey Island known as the Island of 20,000 saints just off the Lleyn Peninsula.

More Information

There is more information to help plan your pilgrimage on the Pilgrim Ways website.