A Timeless Summer Tradition: Well Dressing in the Peak District
If you’re planning a summer escape to the Peak District between May and September, you’re in for a real treat. Tucked away in our pretty villages and market towns is one of the area’s most enchanting and unusual traditions: Well Dressing.
Unique to Derbyshire and the Peak District, these beautiful displays are works of art made entirely by hand using natural materials, think flower petals, leaves, seeds, and even coffee beans, all pressed into clay panels with incredible care and skill. Each one is crafted by local volunteers who work together, often for days, to create something truly stunning.
Nobody quite knows where the tradition began, some say it dates back to the Celts or the Romans, offering thanks for fresh spring water, but one thing is certain: there’s something deeply magical about it. More than 80 towns and villages take part, proudly displaying these floral mosaics beside wells, fountains, or village greens throughout the warmer months.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch a well dressing in progress. Watching one being made is a gentle, absorbing experience, and a lovely way to soak up the atmosphere of village life. It’s also the perfect excuse to explore our hidden corners, potter around stone cottages and local cafés, and enjoy the simple joy of summer in the countryside.
For anyone who finds beauty in tradition, storytelling, and the quiet pleasures of village life, Well Dressing is something to look out for. It’s another reason why a summer stay in the Peak District isn’t just a holiday, it’s a chance to step into something truly special.
Here are some villages to experience such as treat:
Tissington: 29 May–4 June
One of the most renowned well dressing events, featuring six decorated wells.
Ashford-in-the-Water: 14–22 June
Six wells adorned with floral designs; includes a Flower Festival at Holy Trinity Church.
Buxton: 4–13 July
Festival includes well dressings and a carnival day on 12 July.
Experience the Magic of Eyam Well Dressing: August 23–31, 2025
Make sure to mark your calendar for the Eyam Well Dressing, taking place from August 23 to 31, 2025. This cherished tradition transforms the historic village of Eyam into a vibrant tapestry of floral art and community spirit.
