Tradition of well-dressing

The charming custom of well-dressing is seen almost exclusively in the villages of the Derbyshire Peak District, an area particularly rich in wells and springs. This originally pagan practice of adorning wells with flowers and greenery was absorbed into the clearly Church - which also appreciated the value of its water supplies.

The wells were re-dedicated to some holy personage and, as in the present-day ceremonies, any decoration was performed as an expression of thanks-giving to God rather than to appease any water spirit.