Tissington Well in the Making

Well dressing is the art of decorating springs and wells, or places close to where wells used stand, with pictures made from natural growing things and is very much a community effort.

As anyone that visits Tissington will see, well dressings are made up of one or more wooden frames/boards onto which a picture or design is constructed.

The process begins by firstly applying clay onto a board to act as a base. Secondly, natural materials like coffee beans are used to make an outline of the design. Then finally, such items as twigs, wool and flower petals are placed / pressed on to the surface to create different colour effects. The materials used are dependent upon what is available during May.

Each well dressing is a real cooperative effort taking a team of local residents up to a week to create a work of art, usually in someone's garage or some other available space, that will last little more than a week after its completion.

Wells in the Making 5- 8 May inclusive 10.00 am to 16.00

Tissington Well Dressings 2024 are from Thursday 9 May to Wed 15 May inclusive

Blessing Service Thursday 9 May at 11.00 am St Mary’s Church Tissington DE6 1RA

Tissington is located to the east of the A515 Ashbourne to Buxton road, north of Fenny Bentley.