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Well Dressings
Well Dressing in the Peak District and Derbyshire
What better way to enjoy a visit to the Peak District and Derbyshire than by marvelling at the hundreds of well dressings that are lovingly – and painstakingly - created by hand each year from May to September? Be inspired by this incredible art form being kept alive by groups of dedicated volunteers.
Mystery surrounds the exact source of this ancient tradition – believed to have been brought to the area by the Romans or the Celts, to give thanks for the county’s fresh water springs. Well Dressing is unique to the area, and more than 80 towns and villages proudly display their floral masterpieces next to wells and water features throughout the spring and summer.
Teams of villagers create intricate mosaics using natural materials such as leaves, moss, flower petals and even coffee beans, on a bed of rich, moist clay. Each one can take anything up to a week to make, needless to say, well dressers have the patience of saints! Some well dressings can be viewed ‘in the making’ before they go on show. Watching a well dressing being created is an intriguing and relaxing experience - as well as a great excuse to explore our fascinating towns and pretty villages.
The process begins by building a large a wooden frame upon which to create the image and position over the well or spring.
Using fresh clay, ‘Puddle’, or knead so it’s squishy and soft and pack into the frame, smoothing out until it looks freshly plastered.
The image can then be ‘drawn’ into the clay and then create an outline.
Begin to ‘colour in’ the design as if painting by numbers using natural materials. Neat rows are created, rather like roof tiling, with the row above slightly overlapping the one below to allow rainwater to run off without damaging.
Finally, all the boards are pieced together to create one amazing design to be admired!
All that’s left to do is throw a party! Most towns and villages hold a blessing ceremony followed by a carnival or festival, bringing out the entire community. Go along and experience for yourself a true piece of Derbyshire tradition. Be quick though, well dressings will only last around a week before the clay starts to dry and crack!
Well Dressings can be found in most towns and villages in the Peak District and Derbyshire between the months of May to September. Below you'll find a list of dates of the Wells Dressing week, but also dates and details of when you can go along an watch these extraordinary pieces of art being constructed, you might even be able to lend a hand too! This list will continually update as we receive new dates from the organisers, so keep checking back, or contact one of the Tourist Information Centres to ask for a leaflet.
Number of results:
Number of results: 52
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Dronfield Woodhouse Well Dressing
Dronfield
This ancient custom is all but unique to Derbyshire. It's the art of decorating wells and springs with pictures made using only natural materials. This will be the 27th year that Dronfield Woodhouse has dressed a well.
Well Location
Town Well, Carr...Elmton Well Dressing
Elmton
The ancient custom of Well Dressing is only found in Derbyshire and is the art of decorating springs and wells with pictures made from natural materials.
Well dressing has taken place in Elmton for over 30 years and the village displays three well...
Whitwell Well Dressing
Whitwell
This ancient custom is unique to Derbyshire. The 1st Whitwell Scout and Guide Group has been creating well dressings for over 40 years and it is the main fundraising event of the year. The designs are drawn on paper, laid over wet clay and the image...
Upper Langwith Well Dressing
Upper Langwith
This ancient custom is almost unique to Derbyshire and is the art of decorating springs and wells using only natural materials. Upper Langwith began dressing wells in 1992 to keep up the tradition in Derbyshire. Refreshments are served in the...
Dore Well Dressing
Dore
This ancient custom is all but unique to Derbyshire. Before the county boundaries were moved in 1934, Dore was in Derbyshire but today it's in South Yorkshire and dresses one well.
Well Locations
Village Green - take road at side of Hare and Hounds...Heath Well Dressing
Heath
An ancient custom that's only found in or around the borders of Derbyshire. In Heath, 2 wells are dressed this year and scarecrows are on show at many properties in the Village during well dressing week. Tea, coffee, cream teas and cakes are...
Coal Aston Well Dressing
Dronfield
The ancient custom of Well Dressing is only found in Derbyshire and is the art of decorating springs and wells with pictures made from natural materials.
This well dressing is produced by Coal Aston Folk and Friends who have been learning the...
Holmesfield Children's Well Dressing
DRONFIELD
Holmesfield Children's Well Dressing
Come and see the beautiful Children's Well Dressing in Holmesfield. The Well is located in the town centre on the Main Road.Chesterfield Well Dressing
Chesterfield
Chesterfield began well dressing in 1864 when the Town Pump in Market Place was decorated after a very dry summer. Blessing Service on Saturday 9 September 2017, 10am at ‘Crooked Spire’ Church (S40 1XJ). Two wells on show.
Wessington Well Dressing
Wessington
This ancient custom is only found in Derbyshire. Wessington has natural wells on its main Village Green which were still used in the 1950's. It also has a Nature Reserve which is a Site of Special Importance as declared by English Nature. The...
West Hallam Annual Well Dressing Festival Weekend
West Hallam
Visit our beautiful village and marvel at over 10 beautifully decorated Wells. On Saturday 15th July 2017 we close the roads in the centre of the village to through traffic so you can safely enjoy a mixture of music, street entertainment, an Arts...
Apperknowle Well Dressing
Apperknowle
This is the second Well Dressing at Apperknowle. There will be refreshments available after the blessing on Sunday 2nd July. Money donated will go to 'Meningitis Now'
Please note – this Well Dressing will be on display at Apperknowle Methodist...
Holymoorside Well Dressing
Holymoorside, Chesterfield
Come and see the beautiful Well Dressings at Holymoorside!
Once the subject for the well dressing design is selected – an anniversary or celebration – the team meets to prepare the drawings. Flowers and other natural materials are donated from...
Heath Well Dressing under Construction
Heath, Chesterfield
Find out more about this ancient custom by watching well dressers working to dress the well. Find out how such intricate and detailed pictures can be created using only natural materials – berries, seeds, leaves, flowers…
Venue
Heath Village Hall,...Pleasley Well Dressing
Mansfield
An ancient custom that's only found in or around the borders of Derbyshire. Well dressing might date back to the Celts, or perhaps even earlier, but what exactly is it? At its simplest, well dressing is the art of decorating springs and wells with...
Cutthorpe Well Dressing
Chesterfield
This ancient custom is only found in Derbyshire and is the art of decorating springs and wells with pictures made from natural materials. There are 2 wells to see at Cutthorpe.
Well locations:
Junction of Main Road and Common Lane (S42 7AJ)
Car...Youlgrave Welldressings
Nr Bakewell
Welldressing in Youlgrave can be traced back to 1829 when the water supply in the village was established - "the Fountain". The welldressings are floodlit after dark. There are 6 or 7 main welldressings and a collection of small boards made by the...
Belper Well Dressing
Derbyshire,
Belper Well dressing is an old tradition, it was first established in Belper in 1838, when the Mill Lane Well was dressed and in the following year four wells were dressed. The custom lapsed for The Second World War, but was revived in 1986.
Aston on Trent Well Dressing Festival
Aston-on-Trent
Traditional well dressing festival. Lots of stalls and live music. Fairground rides and children's area.
