Well Dressing: The ancient Derbyshire tradition that sees people decorate Derbyshire wells

One of the many joys of Derbyshire is its quaint customs that date back several centuries.

Well dressing is exactly what you’d think it to mean - it is the decoration of wells, which is considered to be an art form in itself.

Now people in Derbyshire are showing their creative talent by having a little fun in expressing themselves.

Well dressings in Tissington have been decorated with Wallace & Gromit, guide dogs, religious themes and more.

You may not see many wells around, but they are celebrated in Derbyshire by being decorated with flowers, seeds and other natural materials.

The decoration is in the hands of dedicated volunteers who work their magic on well dressings between the months of May and September.

The art of well dressing appears to be an ancient tale and is thought to have originated from Roman times.

It is believed that the custom was started by the Romans who showed gratitude for the county’s fresh water by carrying out a religious service.

Part of this ceremony was to adorn local wells with fancy floral decorations.

It is a custom that has stood the test of time and continues to attract attention in the 21st century, firstly by creative people who want to decorate wells, and those who want to enjoy pretty wells in their full glory.

Here are a few wells that are stunning to look at. If you have attended any well dressings and would like to share photos with DerbyWorld readers get in touch by emailing [email protected] and we’ll take a look.

Peak District National Park shared photos by Colin Boynton in a social media post. It has been liked by hundreds of people and garnered numerous positive comments.

Two enthusiastic commenters thought the well dressings were ‘amazing’ whilst others described the well dressings as ‘fantastic,’ ‘beautiful,’ and ‘wonderful.’

For more information about upcoming well dressings dates Visit Peak District & Derbyshire website is an informative resource. (Scroll half-way through the page to the Events section.)