Etwall’s 2007 well dressing
Our latest Curiosity of the Week is a traditional custom that takes place every year throughout the villages and towns of Derbyshire.
Well Dressing is a custom that sees the wells and springs being decorated with flower petals and other foliage, usually around Whitsuntide.
The tradition is commonly carried out in Derbyshire, with towns and villages including Bakewell, Matlock, Whitwell, Hathersage, Monyash, Tissington, Etwall and Buxton carrying out this unusual custom. Some wells are also dressed in the surrounding areas of Cheshire and Staffordshire, as well as in one or two other places across England.
The custom is thought to have originated as a way of giving thanks to the gods for the water supply, although other theories exist as to why it began. But however it began, the annual tradition has survived to this day, with wells being decorated throughout May, June, July and August.
The wells are dressed by the local community, often by schools and churches, with themes around the countryside, wildlife and nature, as well as religion, history and community.
If you are in the local area, why not check out the beautifully decorated wells at in Hathersage, Whitwell, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Dore and Buxton this weekend? For more locations, check out the handy well dressing calendar at welldressing.com
If you have an idea for Curiosity of the Week then please do get in touch, we welcome suggestions from everyone. You can contact us by emailing info@contrarylife.com or send us a message via Facebook.
We are always on the lookout for interesting customs, hidden places, and unique buildings and landmarks, to share with our readers.
Hayfield’s well dressing from 2005
Taddington’s well dressing from 2007
Bakewell’s well dressing from 2016
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