In an elevated location Cressbrook, is of the beaten track, set amongst secluded wooded dales and beautiful countryside.

Mid way between Buxton and Bakewell, but well away from main roads, this is a secretive sort of village rising up the steep sides of the dale above the river Wye. It is actually at the junction of dales, where Cressbrook Dale joins the river Wye and Millers Dale becomes Monsal Dale. This puts it at the very heart of some of the most classic Derbyshire dales scenery.

Two well dressings are normally completed...

Village Green Well Dressing
- On the Green, down steep footpath from High Street near the eastern end of the village

St John’s Church Well Dressing
- In the churchyard of St John’s Church

The blessing of the water supply, in the form of a well is an ancient ceremony dating back to the Celts or even earlier.

It is only found in or near Derbyshire.

Well Dressing is the art of decorating springs or wells with pictures made of natural products.

Clay is pressed into boards, then the picture is traced onto the clay using a pointer. Then comes the delicate task of infilling with flower petals and other natural materials.

Each petal has to be put in separately and they overlap like tiles on a roof so that rain will flow off the picture. This process takes many hours and usually occupies most of the week prior to the well being dressed.