Brian Taylor, Chairman of The Friends of the Greenfield Valley Association, explains some of the well's history:

"St. Winefrides Well is a 7th century religious site. This being continuously a place of pilgrimage with royal connections to today and is known as the Lourdes of Wales."

"The castle that was built above the Holy Well - a small motte and bailey, not much more than a guard post - was built by Ranulf III, Earl of Chester 1210c and lasted only a year or two and was intended for the protection of pilgrims. Henry II rebuilt Basingwerk Castle 1157 and stayed there whilst visiting the well."

Through the ages

The well remained popular throughout skirmishes between the Welsh and English, and pilgrims continued to visit the waters during Protestant and Catholic monarchies alike. Various attempts were made to discourage visitors, including the closing of all lodging houses and inns during 1636 but these were largely unsuccessful.

The chapel complex was built around 1490, with many parts surviving today. In 1686 James II visited the well, and ordered that repairs were made after the complex was vandalised during the Civil War. It was subject to neglect again during the early 18th century, but regained popularity during the latter part of the century as a tourist attraction.