The Monks Bath (Ffynnon Gyffyr)

 Visit Date September 2020. 

Todays post it the final part of three linked posts from the area of Margam is South Wales.

Known locally as "The Monks Bath" this ancient building has the name Ffynnon Gyffyr which seems a little vague. It is also known as the Spring well or the Medicinal Well.

The date of construction is thought to stretch back to the 12 or 13th century.

It is very close to the Abbey of Margam, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, at Margam which was founded in 1147.

The structure is where the monks of the abbey bathed.

The interior contains an L-shaped pool, about 1m deep with well-built stone walls. Although the pool is fed by a water inlet at the Northern end, it is evident that water enters the pool at a lower level through the stonework.

The building is now Listed grade II as an unusual and complete survival of a medieval baptistry and holy well.

It is on the pathway from Margam country park to Capel Mair ar y Bryn ('The chapel of St Mary on the hill') a small ruined chapel overlooking the borough and the beautiful Margam Country Park. 

A view of Margam Abbey

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Visit Information:-
Google Reference
51.568208528035434, -3.7281904102333994

What Three Words reference:-
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Additional information.
Visiting is relatively easy but is mostly uphill. I visited by parking close by and there is a car park near the start of the walk (51.56361379905241, -3.7338320577891753) and there is also roadside parking. Go get to the car park you leave the M4 at junction 38 head for Margam Park but turn in at the sign which reads "Margam Abby". Once parked walk up the hill on the road until you see a small marker and a steel barrier on the left hand side. Carry of for a 100 yards and you will see the path on the right hand side . It is a very short distance on from here. 

Two blogs in this area:-
Margam Radar Station and Capel Mair ar y Bryn