Wales has a lot of holy wells and this is a nice short walk on a dry sunny day. It is a small holy well dedicated to the 6thC St Cybi. In the Middle Ages, this was a place of Pilgrimage as the well was reputed to have curative properties, healing everything from blindness to warts. Apparently you drank equal quantities of sea water and well water, bathed in the well and then rested in the cottage for the cure to take effect.
According to local tradition the girls who wished to know their lover’s intentions would spread their pocket-handkerchiefs on the water of the well, and, if the water pushed the handkerchiefs to the south they knew that everything was right and that their lovers were honest and honourable in their intentions; but, if the water shifted the handkerchiefs northwards, they concluded the contrary.
Park near the church in Llangybi and go over the stile in the far left hand side of the churchyard. Follow the path across the field to another stile, over the stream, through the gate and head for the ruined grey stone buildings you see ahead. These are approached by a stone causeway as the field can be wet
Two of the buildings enclose the well chambers. Next to them is a later 18/19thC caretakers building. Set in the Welsh countryside, this feels miles from anywhere. It is a lovely spot nestling under the flanks of Carn Bentyrch with its iron age hill fort on the top. Chances are you will have it to yourselves and the only sound is water running and birdsong. It is a lovely place to drop out in the sunshine.
The well is cared for by “CADW”:http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/st-cybis-well/?lang=en . The website says it is open 10-4. This is misleading as it is on a public footpath and open any time.
