St Winefride's Shrine and Well
Medieval holy well and chapel in Holywell, a pilgrimage site for centuries, with an exhibition and visitor centre run by the Diocese of Wrexham.
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About the museum
St Winefride's Well in Holywell has been a place of pilgrimage since at least 1115. According to tradition, the spring rose at the spot where the seventh-century abbot St Beuno restored his niece Winefride to life. It is described as the oldest continually visited pilgrim site in Britain and lies on the route of the North Wales Pilgrim's Way.
The chapel dates from the late fifteenth century. It is built into the hillside and is richly decorated. On the lower level the spring water rises into a star-shaped basin under a vaulted ceiling, then flows out into a more recent outdoor pool where pilgrims still bathe. The chapel itself is kept locked, and visitors collect the key from the curator at the visitor centre.
Today the site is the National Shrine of St Winefride. It is the responsibility of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wrexham, and day-to-day management is in the hands of an administrator, a small staff and volunteers. Many items from the former museum are on permanent display in the exhibition area next to the gift shop. The shrine is open to visitors every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day and also hosts organised pilgrimages through the year.
Highlights
- Late fifteenth-century chapel with a vaulted ceiling over the star-shaped well basin
- Outdoor bathing pool fed by the spring
- Pilgrimage site since at least 1115
- Exhibition area with items from the former museum
- Gift shop and visitor centre
Permanent exhibition
- Exhibition area – Many items from the former museum are on permanent display in the exhibition area next to the gift shop.
- Operated by
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Wrexham
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £3 |
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| Reduced | £2Seniors aged 65 and over, students with photo ID and children under 16 |
| Children & teens | £2Students and children under 16 pay the same reduced price. |
| Seniors | £2Aged 65 and over. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Visitors with disabilities and their companion enter free. |
| Students & apprentices | £2A student photo ID card must be shown on entry. |
| Families | £4Up to 2 adults and all children under 16. |
Prices for 2026 as published by Cadw. Cadw members enter free. There is no admission charge to visit the chapel; a returnable security deposit is taken when collecting the chapel key.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Access to the chapel is down a flight of steps, along a short level path and up a couple of steps to the main door. One dedicated disabled parking space is about 30 metres from the site. Only assistance dogs are allowed.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Limited free parking is available opposite the well; Cadw describes a car park for about six cars plus one disabled space.
- Accessible parking
The site is on Greenfield Street in Holywell.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
There is a gift shop and a repository for religious items, and visitor toilets.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Visitors are asked to dress suitably, behave respectfully, supervise children, avoid using mobile phones and refrain from eating, drinking and smoking, including e-cigarettes. Pilgrimages and group visits are arranged through the shrine administrator. |
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