| Holywell | |
Holywell Hall |
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Holywell
Holywell shown within Lincolnshire |
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| OS grid reference | TF 00350 15994 |
|---|---|
| Unitary authority | South Kesteven |
| Ceremonial county | Lincolnshire |
| Region | East Midlands |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Stamford |
| Postcode district | PE9 |
| Police | Lincolnshire |
| Fire | Lincolnshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament | Grantham and Stamford |
| List of places: UK • England • Lincolnshire | |
Holywell is a tiny settlement in the a civil parish of Careby Aunby and Holywell, in the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England. It lies 5.5 miles (8.9 km) north from Stamford and 6 miles (9.7 km) south-west from Bourne. It is a collection of houses around a country house and park. The park includes a small private church dedicated to St Wilfrid.[1] Ornamental lakes have been restored over the last 20 years, and new gardens laid out. In 2009 the gardens were open to the public through the National Garden Scheme.
Two venerated springs are reported in the village, Holy Well and St Winifred's. Only the location of the first is known. There are no other place names associated with venerated springs in Lincolnshire,[2] although other Holy Wells exist such as those near the site of Sempringham Priory and nearby Ryhall.
The 1885 Kelly's Directory notes that Holywell with Aunby consists of 2,300 acres (9.3 km2) with chief agricultural of barley and wheat, and an 1881 population of 63, and that “a medicinal spring rises here from where the place takes its name”. Holywell Hall, a mansion in “well-wooded park”, was then the seat of Charles Thomas Samuel Birch-Reynardson DL, lord of the manor, and sole landowner. The chapel in the park, a small stone building in Early English style, was reconstructed in reign of Queen Anne. It comprises a chancel, nave, south aisle and two-bell tower. A restoration of 1863-64 included the replacement of a previous flat roof with one of open timber, with the church interior re-fitted in oak, “effected under the superintendence of rector Rev J B Reynardson”.[3]
In 1916 Cox stated that Holywell is a chapelry of Careby parish. The church in the hall grounds, built about 1700, incorporates material from the destroyed church of Aunby, including two Norman piers that support the tower, a Decorated doorway and a window glazed with Perpendicular style glass.[4] Pevsner adds that St Wilfrid's church stands south of Holywell Hall as one of its garden ornaments, has an east window with a mosaic of small fragments from the 15th to 19th centuries, and a paten and chalice dated 1662.[5] St Wilfrid’s is Grade II* listed.[6]
Holywell Hall is a Grade II* listed house built in three phases. Beginning as an L-shaped house, it was extended in either 1732 or 1764, and again in the early 19th century. The west front of the house is possibly from 1764, and the south and east fronts from the 19th century. Samuel Reynardson may have laid out the gardens, and built the temples in Palladian style in 1732, the time of his marriage.[5][7]
South-west of the house, against a lake, is a Grade II* listed fishing temple with pedimented Roman Doric portico and rusticated windows. It is identical to the menagerie designed by James Gibbs at Hackwood and published in his 1728 "Book of Architecture".[5][8]
Facing the hall’s drive are listed Palladian stables with an octagonal domed lantern.[5][9][10]
Further listed buildings are a 17th century dovecote, an orangery to the west of the hall, and a three-arched ballustraded bridge on the road between two easterly lakes.[5][11][12][13]
At the western boundary with Rutland, at Lincolnshire Gate, lies the small nature reserve of Robert's Field.[14]
Farmland at Holywell Banks (SK 995157) has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[15]