St Margaret of Antioch, Church — Attraction in Oxford

Lovely tranquil little church a worship site for more than a thousand years. Medieval texts indicate that the well in the churchyard was the site of Saint Frideswide’s (patron saint of Oxford). Who in the seventh century escaped to Binsey to avoid marrying the Mercian prince Algar, and when he was blinded by lightning while looking for her, her prayers brought forth a healing spring here, and she cured his blindness with its water. Saint Frideswide would later found a priory in Oxford, which would become Christ Church Cathedral.

The current building dating from the 13th century became a pilgrimage site for those seeking healing from the well. Henry VIII and his queen, Catherine of Aragon, are said to have sought its waters to help produce a royal son. In the 19th century, Lewis Carroll incorporated the well into his Alice in Wonderland stories as the...

I absolutely love this place. Its tucked away in the middle of nowhere, accessible by foot down a lane or you can park on the side of the lane but space is limited. I first came across this church when my wife was diagnosed with cancer. It offered me peace and space to order my thoughts. Through her illness and later passing I have visited many times , and although not religious this simple church has lifted my spirits. You won't find anything fancy stain glass here though outside stands St Margaret's Well,  which is the model for Lewis carrolls ‘Treacle Well’ from Alice in wonderland this is a holy well dedicated...

St Frideswide had ever stopped at this spot and digged the famous well whose water cured many people nearby...