The Secrets of Woodwell
This is where the green things live.
Those made of Moss, Fern, Ivy and Yew. Shelter to countless denizens, home to the seeker, the mystery keeper.
Dampness pervades every square inch, seeps into every crease.
The drip songs never cease. Ever present, underscoring the hammer of Woodpecker, accompanying the Finch quartets that flow from the wood.
Clinging onto the limestone, the mud, roots bared with age, dark Yews drape needle curtains, veiling the rockface.
Rock faces watch in silence, gazing from their slick, wet sockets, witnesses to the millennia of drinkers and bathers who wander by.
Damsels and Dragons fly.
Crimson, sapphire and emerald darts grown on summer's grace, arising, arousing from the black hole bottom. Slaking their hunger on the mead of Midge, dancing the songlines of the Woodwell spirits back to life.
Ivy tendrils curl and twist, linking and knotting boulder and tree, stitching the fabrics of Woodwell. The domain of the Others, Underworld home, this pool sopped place holds secrets close.
When beams of a full breasted moon drench the inner recesses magic may happen. But only when curious eyes avert their gaze, heads bow in honour and hearts open to the 'what if' of a wyrd life.
I've been visiting Woodwell, in Silverdale, for most of my life.
I first stumbled upon it quite by accident during a youthful foray in my old Ford Capri during a search for interesting locations to photograph. I remember instinctively cupping my hands under the stream of water and drinking my fill of the silky smooth trickle.
Silverdale is home to numerous springs and wells but Woodwell is the most visited and well known. Not truly a well or a spring, the water issues from the bottom of a large limestone cliff and collects in a basin that's been carved for that purpose.
Up to recently a thin blue plastic hose led from the edge of the basin, no doubt to pipe the water to either a trough or a neighbouring home.
The Woodwell Collection
For all lovers of sacred wells and springs I've created a small, bespoke set of items that you can acquire to bring the Spirit of Woodwell into your life, your home or your healing space.
Valley of Silver
Looking further back in time, 6,500 years in fact, Woodwell was most probably used by the Mesolithic community that made their home on the edge of what is now Leighton Moss, just over the hill and through the woods. Since then Viking, Anglo Saxon and Roman folk have used the well to satisfy their own thirst and that of their livestock.
A horde of Viking treasure, silver, was found in Silverdale many years ago. Apparently hidden over a thousand years ago it is thought to have been the reason for the name of the settlement.
Silverdale can be interpreted as Valley of Silver, an Anglo Saxon naming, and may be the result of several pieces of Viking silver working their way to to surface during those times.
Wildlife Riches
The place is equally rich in wildlife too. Most days the only sounds to be heard at Woodwell are the calls and songs of birds which compete with the clear bell like trickle. The most notable bird of the area is the elusive Hawfinch which can sometimes be spotted amongst the Hornbeams.
It goes without saying that Woodwell is intensely magical, mysterious and mystical. On one of my visits I met a group of folk who had travelled all the way from the Netherlands to perform a hand-fasting ceremony at the well. Such is it's fame.
Wildlife Riches
The place is equally rich in wildlife too. Most days the only sounds to be heard at Woodwell are the calls and songs of birds which compete with the clear bell like trickle. The most notable bird of the area is the elusive Hawfinch which can sometimes be spotted amongst the Hornbeams.
It goes without saying that Woodwell is intensely magical, mysterious and mystical. On one of my visits I met a group of folk who had travelled all the way from the Netherlands to perform a hand-fasting ceremony at the well. Such is it's fame.
Otherworldy Inhabitants
There are countless tales of fairy encounters here too, as well as healings having taken place. Perhaps the waters have a quiet reputation of being 'holy' or spirit imbued.
Since moving to Silverdale I've been partaking of the waters on a regular basis, straight from the base of the limestone from where it trickles.
Is this why friends and family say I'm looking younger, or is that due to the peace and quiet of our new home? I wonder?
I should bottle it!
A Meeting with Woodwell
Faces in the Rock
Carboniferous limestone, the main rock of Woodwell, erodes and dissolves easily.
The constant flow and trickle of water deposits the dissolution and new structures emerge endlessly from the rock face, albeit incredibly slowly. A surprising number of these appear to depict faces, grotesque and skull-like.
A further coating of algae, supported and nurtured by the damp, clothe and colour the details, adding to nature's rock art exhibition.
Click on the images below to view them full size.
The Pool
The water that flows from the base of the limestone cliff gathers in the basin and follows a small channel into a pool enclosed by stone walls and topped by iron rails.
A wide range of water plants grow in the crystal clear waters. In summer clouds of damselflies and dragonflies throng the waters, laying their eggs on the vegetation.
I was fascinated by the vibrant colours that contrasted the dark watery background and merged with the bright reflections of the neighbouring woodlands. The scene appeared quite 'art nouveau' to my eyes and I have tried to emulate this feeling in the colour grading of this small set of photos.
The wind blown ripples added to the complexity of the cameos and defied my attempts at planned images.
Again, click on an image in the gallery to see it full size.
A Tangle of Trees
A Tangle of Trees
Manoeuvring around the boulders that surround the rockface is quite difficult, the tangle of branches adding to the challenge. Here Ivy thrive amongst the Ferns, thick, muscular vines cling to the trees and boulder up the rocks.
Old, fallen limbs crisscross the sloping landscape, creating patterns, and habitats for the wildlife here. A limited colour palette reflects the structure of this facet of Woodwell, and adds to the mystery.
Especially for fellow lovers of Woodwell and all sacred springs and wells I've created a tightly curated selection of items caught on the vision of Woodwell. If you'd like to have a little bit of Woodwell magic click the button to browse the gallery to see what speaks to you.
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