MSO8011 - Katherine's Well, Selworthy (Monument)

Summary

Sometimes thought to be a medieval holy well, the site comprises a small spring with a number of large stones placed to emphasise it. The wellhead appears to have been constructed in 1820 and named after a member of the Acland family.

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Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

Full Description

[SS 91424690] Katherine's Well (NAT) [1] Katherine's Well, Selworthy, listed as a holy well. [2] Katherine's Well is a small spring surrounded by a number of large stones. [3] SS 9142 4689. A holy well located at the southern edge of Selworthy Plantation. The well head is believed to be of medieval date and is formed by a structure of large stone slabs arranged around the water source. Scheduled in 2002. [4] A small spring surrounded by large stones placed to emphasise it, it is sometimes regarded as a holy well and misnamed St. Katherine’s well. It is in the southern part of Selworthy Plantation. It was probably enhanced during the first part of the 19th Century by Sir Thomas, 10th Baronet, as he was very much influenced by the Picturesque movement. [5] Catherine's Well is recorded in the National Trust archives as being constructed in 1820. [6] The well was surveyed in April 2015 as part of the 2015 Exmoor Scheduled Monument Condition Assessment. It was given a survival score of 7. [7] Katherine's Well is spot located and labelled on 2020 MasterMap data. [8]

Sources/Archives (8)

  • <1> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1931. 6 Inch Map: 1931. 1:10560.
  • <2> Monograph: Horne, E. 1923. Holy Wells of Somerset. 52.
  • <3> Unpublished document: PALMER, JP. Field Investigators Comments. Ordnance Survey visit, 22 July 1965.
  • <4> Index: English Heritage. 1913-. Schedule of Monuments. 16 October 2002.
  • <5> Report: Richardson, I.. 2001. Holnicote Estate Archaeological Survey: Part 1.
  • <6> Article in serial: Camp, P. 2009. Holnicote Estate Countryside News - January 2009. 1.
  • <7> Report: Gent, T. and Manning, P.. 2015. Exmoor National Park Scheduled Monument Condition Survey 2015.
  • <8>XY Map: Ordnance Survey. 2020. MasterMap data. 1:2,500. [Mapped feature: #42313 ]

External Links (2)

Other Statuses/References

  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO11580
  • Local List Status (No)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 NW5
  • National Trust HER Record: 115417
  • Pastscape HOBID (was Monarch UID): 36774
  • Somerset SMR PRN (Somerset): 33986

Map

Location

Grid reference SS 9141 4689 (point) (MasterMap)
Map sheet SS94NW
Civil Parish SELWORTHY, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Nov 11 2020 3:09PM

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