Celebrating Gŵyl Dewi Sant

Celebrate Gŵyl Dewi Sant or St David’s Day on 1 March with Wales Blue Badge Guide Carole Startin, as we travel around her home country to discover some of the wonderful holy churches, healing wells, tiny chapels, all with some fascinating backstories …

The tiny City of St David’s: Pembrokeshire

We can’t talk about St David’s Day without talking about the great man himself. Born during a great storm, he became a prolific preacher. Legend says he was preaching in Llanddewi Brefi and someone at the back shouted “we can’t hear you!” so St David made the ground rise up under him so all could see and hear. That’s certainly a novel solution to voice projection problems! St David’s is the smallest city in the UK with a huge cathedral and an alternative place of pilgrimage for catholics for centuries; the oldest continuous place of pilgrimage in the world!

The imposing cathedral at St David’s, the smallest city in the UK

St Winefride’s Well, North Wales

St Winefride lived in the 600s and was a very devout and pure young lass. Fending off the unwanted attentions of a local lad called Caradog, he became mighty miffed at her rejections, so chased her to try and get his way. She almost made it to the safety of her uncle Beuno’s church when Caradog caught up with her. Deciding she wouldn’t have him, no one else would, he drew his sword and lopped off her head; Charming!  Her uncle heard her screams and fell to his knees beside her to pray for the poor girl before re-attaching her head to her body. Then the miracle happened and she came back to life. Where her head fell, a holy well came from the ground, producing healing waters and you can see the walking sticks of all those she has cured at the well site today.

The whole site St Winefride in the Welsh town of Holywell in Flintshire

For around £1 entry, you can visit the well and take your own bottle to fill with the healing waters.

The Healing Well at St Winefride’s

The Marble Church: St Margaret’s Bodelwyddan, North Wales.
From the poor and pious to the very rich and ‘Robber of Wales’. This was the nickname given to the Victorian lady who built the stunning Marble Church for £60,000 in the 1850s as a dedication to her husband. No mere statue in a graveyard for Margaret Willoughby de Broke, or ‘Miggie’ as she was known to her family and friends. She had inherited her husband’s wealth and was going to jolly well spend it. Hence the nickname above given to her by her in-laws for taking ‘their’ money back to Wales from Compton Verney in Warwickshire. She built a beautiful decorated gothic revival church to commemorate Henry Peto Willoughby de Broke and there are subtle signs throughout the church with their images and initials to find. A bit Da Vinci Code! There is the finest Carrara marble font to the wonderful oak carved pulpit and lectern, not to mention the exquisite stained glass windows, one of which is said to be by Edward Coley Burne-Jones of the Pre-Raphaelites – a famous art movement in the UK. Gems galore to explore and discover along with those hidden signs.

The Marble Church at St Margaret’s Bodelwyddan, North Wales

St Trillo’s Chapel: Rhos on Sea, North Wales

This beautifully kept gem of a tiny Welsh chapel dates back to the 6th century. It seats a congregation of just 6, but still holds regular church services. No chance of falling asleep during the sermon here and not being noticed then! Once the home of St Trillo and looking towards the Irish sea, it’s now a truly hidden gem on the rocky shore of Rhos on Sea beneath the coast road near Llandudno in North Wales for all to visit. St Trillo’s well and his source of fresh water is still there in the tiny stone chapel too. You’ll find it in front of the altar.

Only room for six at St Trillo’s Chapel!

So there you have it, a whistle stop whiz around some holy sites in Wales on our special day of celebration. Please do come and visit, Carole will be delighted to take you around the special sites of North Wales.

 

About the author

Carole Startin
 is a qualified and experienced Wales Blue Badge Tour Guide. A North Wales local and a Welsh speaker, Carole offers an authentic Welsh tour-guiding experience, add to that the unbeatable pure air, multitude of hidden gems and a unique culture, Wales is the top destination for discerning travellers. Meet Carole here