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All the United Kingdom England Glastonbury The White Spring

The White Spring

A dark Victorian well house now plays host to mystical waters and pagan shrines.

Glastonbury, England

Added By
Alexander J. Zawacki
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The outside of the spring   Jim Champion
The outside of the spring   Jim Champion
The well house at the white spring in Glastonbury is now a New Age shrine.   Glyn Baker
One of the shrines within.   AZawacki / Atlas Obscura User
The white spring.   Glyn Baker
the gate of the White Spring   ionesc0 / Atlas Obscura User
view of the setting sun from inside the White Spring pump house   ionesc0 / Atlas Obscura User
You can collect water from the White Spring even if it is closed. (The gift shop in the Chalice Well Gardens even sells little bottles.)   ionesc0 / Atlas Obscura User
Spring outlet   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The beautifully sculpted gardens of the Chalice Well surround Glastonbury's most famous natural water source, the Red Spring, so called for the iron oxide it deposits in its basin. But just opposite this famous site, down a little lane at the foot of Glastonbury Tor, lies its counterpart: the White Spring.

Named for the calcite stains that the water leaves behind, the White Spring is housed within a huge stone pump house from the Victorian period. Built to collect the natural waters of the spring, the well was soon abandoned, as the high calcium content of the water constantly blocked up pipes. 

The well house is windowless, and very dark; the only light comes from the doorways and from the hundreds of candles lining the walls and adorning the handcrafted pagan shrines which fill the space. Chief among them are shrines to Brigid (a Celtic fire goddess), Our Lady of Avalon, and the King of Faerie. 

Benches line the walls, allowing visitors a (mostly) dry place to sit and soak up the ambiance—the archways of twisted branches above the shrines, the constant echo of running water which fills the arched stone well house, and the occasional prayer or chant.

The water flows out of the back wall and passes through a series of pools and channels—all built, say the owners of the spring, according to principles of sacred geometry—before collecting in a wide central basin. Bathing, including in the nude, is permitted there, though visitors should be aware that the water is very cold and the uneven stones can be slippery. The spring is said to have healing properties, and visitors are welcome to collect its water from the basins within or one of the pipes without.

A sign at the door warns visitors to enter at their own risk, citing the dangers of naked flames, deep water, and faerie portals. 

Related Tags

Wells Victorian Paganism Shrines Water Spring

Know Before You Go

Admittance is free, but donations are suggested. All staff are volunteers. No photography is permitted within the spring.

Community Contributors

Added By

AZawacki

Edited By

ionesc0, Meg, Gavin

  • ionesc0
  • Meg
  • Gavin

Published

February 16, 2018

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The White Spring
Wellhouse Lane
Glastonbury, England
United Kingdom
51.143683, -2.705584
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Chalice Well (The Red Spring)

Glastonbury, England

miles away

Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury, England

miles away

'King Arthur's Tomb'

Glastonbury, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Glastonbury

Glastonbury

England

Places 5

Nearby Places

Chalice Well (The Red Spring)

Glastonbury, England

miles away

Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury, England

miles away

'King Arthur's Tomb'

Glastonbury, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Glastonbury

Glastonbury

England

Places 5

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