St Keyne's Holy Well

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

The Holy Well of St Keyne is located on an intersection of two lanes near St Keyne’s Church.

The well building is made of finely dressed granite. Although originally built in the 16th century, the well building was rebuilt in the 1930s after the lane was widened.

The plaque opposite the well describes the spell which Saint Keyne cast upon the water of the well. The plaque reads: "The legend of Saint Keyne Well. Saint Keyne was a princess who lived about 600 AD. She laid on the waters of this well a spell thus described by Carew in 1602 AD—'The quality that man or wife whom chance or choice attains first of this sacred spring to drink thereby the mastery gains.'"

This legend is mentioned in a poem by Robert Southey, a former Poet Laureate. "If the husband of this gifted well should drink before his wife A happy man henceforth is he For he shall be master for life".

Keyne is believed to have been one of the many daughters of King Brychan of Brycheiniog (Brecon in Wales). She founded St Keyne in the late 5th century. The parish church and the well are dedicated to her.

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