St Margaret's Well

St Margaret's Well is a historic well with an arch and steps in Binsey, on the western edge of Oxford, right beside the village church. It joins a medieval legend about the city's patron saint with a link to Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland".

Where is St Margaret's Well?

The well stands in the village of Binsey, west of central Oxford (Oxfordshire, postcode area OX2), next to St Margaret's church. Its coordinates are roughly 51.769 N, 1.298 W. The route from the city follows quiet lanes beside Port Meadow, so a visit pairs well with a walk along the Thames.

What legend surrounds the spring?

Tradition credits the spring to St Frideswide, patron saint of Oxford. In the story she fled a Mercian prince who wanted to marry her and took refuge in Binsey, where she lived for three years working as a swineherd. Her prayer to St Margaret of Antioch brought forth a spring near the west end of the church. Its water restored the sight of her pursuer after he was struck blind. This is traditional lore rather than documented history, and sources vary on the details.

Why did pilgrims come here?

After the saint's death, her Oxford monastery looked after the site and sent pilgrims there to seek relief from minor ailments. Later lore credited the water with helping eye complaints and women who struggled to conceive. The medieval wellhouse was pulled down in 1639 and the spring was abandoned.

What does the well look like today?

The present structure dates from a 19th-century restoration. An 1893 account by Robert Charles Hope describes an inscription recording the restoration by a local vicar, T. J. Prout. The well is a Grade II listed structure, described as a well with arch and steps.

What is the link to Alice in Wonderland?

A popular interpretation holds that the Treacle Well in Lewis Carroll's book was inspired by the Binsey spring. Carroll was closely tied to Oxford, and a tale of a well full of stories fits a local place of healing.

Do pilgrimages still take place?

Yes. At least one pilgrimage is held every year on the eve of St Margaret's feast day. At other times the site is quiet, and the area around the well and church tends to feel contemplative.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same St Margaret's Well as the one in Edinburgh? No. A different well with the same name sits in Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. This one is in Binsey, near Oxford.

Is there an entry fee? The well stands in an open village setting beside the church and needs no ticket.

How long should I allow? Seeing the well and church takes about 20 to 30 minutes. With the walk across Port Meadow, plan half a day.

Is it a genuine healing spring? It is a site of historical and legendary significance. Tradition speaks of cures, but there is no evidence for them.