Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Newcastle upon Tyne St. Mary's Well, Jesmond
AO Edited

St. Mary's Well, Jesmond

A famous pilgrimage site that remains hidden in the midst of a city.

Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Added By
Louise Reeve
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The signs showing the well entrance.   TrinityWildcat / Atlas Obscura User
The well grove.   TrinityWildcat / Atlas Obscura User
The well itself.   TrinityWildcat / Atlas Obscura User
Sycamore Lane   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
St. Mary’s Chapel   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
St. Mary’s Chapel   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
St. Mary’s Chapel   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
“Gratia”, a favor.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  malcolmholt26 / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  malcolmholt26 / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

St. Mary's Well is a quiet and hidden place of sanctity, right in the middle of a busy suburb of Newcastle upon Tyne. Unless visitors know exactly where to look, it's easy to miss the unassuming footpath that serves as a shortcut between The Grove and Reid Park Road. That's where visitors will see the sign for the well.

The well is likely named after the nearby chapel of St. Mary, once one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in the United Kingdom. The chapel dates to the 12th-century, and the well dates to the 17th-century. Nevertheless, there's a peaceful and slightly mysterious atmosphere surrounding the well as it is only accessible by passing through the wooden gate. 

The well itself is simple and unassuming. It consists of a pool of water with a stone arch above it, in which the word "GRATIA" once part of the inscription "Ave Maria gratia plena," can still be seen. Coins are often thrown into the pool by visitors.

Above the well are various wooden crosses, candles, statues of the Virgin Mary, and flowers. There's a strong sense of being away from the world when venturing to the well, as it's a place still cherished as a holy site.  

Related Tags

Wells History & Culture Religion Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

You can park nearby on Reid Park Road or The Grove. Wear boots if visiting in autumn (slippery leaves) or winter (be careful of ice). It may not be suitable for people with mobility issues. 

Just off Osborne Road is a cycle/pedestrian path, Sycamore Close. This paved road will take you directly to the Well between residential homes.

Continuing on in an easterly direction, the dirt path will take one to the ruins of St. Mary's Chapel. The 12th-century remains of a chapel once dedicated to the Virgin Mary. There is signage for this location and other destinations on Reid Park Road.

Community Contributors

Added By

TrinityWildcat

Edited By

SEANETTA, malcolmholt26

  • SEANETTA
  • malcolmholt26

Published

January 15, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1018641
  • https://insearchofholywellsandhealingsprings.com/2013/08/19/a-pilgrimage-to-st-marys-well-jesmond-newcastle/
  • https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=45380
St. Mary's Well, Jesmond
The Grove
Newcastle upon Tyne, England, NE2 2ES
United Kingdom
54.992446, -1.597706
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Ballast Hills Burial Ground

Newcastle upon Tyne, England

miles away

The Keelmen Mural

Newcastle upon Tyne, England

miles away

The Vampire Rabbit of Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne

England

Places 9

Nearby Places

Ballast Hills Burial Ground

Newcastle upon Tyne, England

miles away

The Keelmen Mural

Newcastle upon Tyne, England

miles away

The Vampire Rabbit of Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne

England

Places 9

Related Places

  • Holy Well of St. John the Baptist

    Bisley, England

    Holy Well of St. John the Baptist

    This holy spring and its well have been the site of religious devotion for millennia.

  • St Mary’s and All Saints Church, Dunsfold

    Dunsfold, England

    St Mary's and All Saints Church & Holy Well

    An ancient yew tree and holy well nestle beside a remarkable 13th-century church.

  • Mahakal Mandir

    Darjeeling, India

    Mahakal Mandir

    At this unique temple in Darjeeling, Hindu and Buddhist practices co-exist harmoniously.

  • Lady Well

    Glasgow, Scotland

    Lady Well

    This ancient holy well is older than much of the city that surrounds it.

  • Wooden Bridge at Monda just 5km from Bhaderwah town.

    Bhaderwah, India

    Wooden Bridges of Bhaderwah

    These bridges were designed to guide the soul on its spiritual journey to heaven.

  • Sinsedong Seven-story Brick Pagoda

    Andong, South Korea

    Sinsedong Seven-Story Brick Pagoda

    The largest and oldest brick pagoda in Korea.

  • Missiri Mosque

    Fréjus, France

    Missiri Mosque

    This mosque was based on Sub-Saharan Islamic architecture and created for the Senegalese Tirailleurs.

  • The hermit’s house seen from inside the cave with the well on the lower left

    Rieti, Italy

    Eremo di San Leonardo (San Leonardo Hermitage)

    This small hermitage is located along an ancient route that connected the Tiber and Rieti valleys.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.