Peaceful today

This afternoon we ventured into dangerous lands! Or at least this would have been true if we had been here a few centuries ago. The Parish of Arthuret, where the church of St Michael and All Angels is situated, to the north east of Carlisle, was, during 1300 and 1600, part of the 'Debatable Lands' - a lawless border area where family feuds, skirmishes between English and Scots and raids by Border Reivers made life very difficult for people living here. 
 
All was peaceful today however and, although we were impressed with the church, which we had never seen before, it was the Holy Well of St Michael we were seeking. A kindly elderly gentleman, who seemed to be supervising the cleaning of the church windows, pointed us in the right direction. 'Take care!' he said
 
So, walk through the churchyard and out of a gate onto a footpath, turn right, walk along a grassy path and there is an old wrought iron kissing gate and fence (see extra). A series of well-worn steps lead down and down - very slippery, thank goodness for the handrail and no wonder we had had the warning.
   
And there it is - a beautiful carved stone archway (see extra) over a well that delivers water to a stone slab pool. A separate set of steps leads down to the water, but there is also a stone terrace in front of it, so one can readily imagine baptisms taking place here.  Obviously held in high regard in its time, it is thought that the water source is under the church and that was the reason for the first church to be built here in the 7th century.

The church and the well are worth visiting for anyone in the area . . . but do take care on the steps!!