Visitors flocked to Malvern to rejoice in community celebration for Malvern’s annual Water and Well Dressing Festival
Malvern’s Water and Well Dressing festival 2026 saw a huge success. 50 wells decorated in the theme of Birds invited visitors to be immersing in the celebration of Malvern’s spring water. Community spirit filled Belle Vue Island as the town gathered beside the infamous Malvhina and Elgar statue to rejoice amongst the Well Dressers as they received their awards. The community enjoyed decorated wells throughout the town for 10 days, paying respect and gratitude to Malvern’s spring water. The festival was also, packed with events, activities, blessings and ceremonies. Malvern’s unique water definitely received the celebration it deserves.
The festival looked a little different this year, with the absence of the large family fun day in Priory Park. By no means did this lead to the festival lacking family fun. Belle Vue Island hosted entertainment including Malvern’s Soul Space Singers and various other talented musicians. St Ann’s Well hosted joyous folk dancing and music. Handmade Malvern held an arts and crafts market at Victoria Park community room. And various talks, projects and gatherings ensured there were plenty of exciting opportunities for the community.
Well Dressing
From Pigeons to Eagles, Penguins to Phoenixes, the town was packed with birds in every form you can think of! 50 wells were decorated by community groups, individuals and local schools demonstrating a variety of interpretations of this year’s theme. The community enjoyed exploring a diversity of crafts reflecting the unique creativity Malvern has to offer. From travelling through bird related stories to thought provoking reflections.
Well-deserved prizes were awarded to Bronze, Silver or Gold winners, following a thorough judging process through specific criteria.
A prize of the Chairman’s Cup is awarded annually by MSA’s chair John Bibby. A very challenging task of deciding which well is deserving of this award, amongst the many impressive creations. This year, the award went to Yarnbomb Great Malvern’s Sue Spencer for her knitted display of “Phoenix Rising” at Stocks Fountain.
Blessings and ceremonies
This year’s Well Dressing festival was welcomed with the collaborative community gathering Evoking the Spirit of Malvhina. A ceremony held by Do-Be-Do Forest Bathing’s Kirsty and Celtic Goddess Gathering’s Rhiannon. On Bealtine-eve, Kirsty and Rhiannon invited community on an immersive experience calling upon Malvhina as a deity of Malvern. The group gathered in appreciation for Great Malvern’s guardian. The evening included a grounding forest bathing and guided meditation inspired by Malvern’s springs. Followed by collaborating in communion with shared experiences of Malvhina and spring water. The gentle community gathering was a perfect way to welcome the festival season. We hope the event will return next year.
The festival held a diversity of water blessing and ceremonies. Communities gathered in gratitude and appreciation for Malvern’s Spring water and gave thanks in practices and rituals that resonated.
Malvern Water: One Billion Years
Malvern was enriched with fascinating talks, organised by Malvern Spa Association.
MSA’s president Carly Tinkler delivered an informative and entertaining presentation, demonstrating the story of Malvern Hills and Malvern Spring Water. Malvern Water: One Billion Years invited the audience on a journey through the life of Malvern’s iconic hilly landscape. From where the hills began their journey on the planet, to how we know them today. The talk also reflected on the developing story of Malvern’s spring water and development of the town. This sell-out talk was a huge success and left the audience with a new appreciation and education for our town.
Missed this talk? Keep an eye out for future presentations of Carly Tinkler’s Malvern Water: One Billion Years.
Charlotte Emily Rose: Restoring Ancient Wells
Malvern had a very special guest visit for the festival, from County Cork, Ireland. Charlotte Emily Rose is on an incredible and impressive mission to restore ancient wells and spring water. She has made huge progress in her home town of Kinsale, Ireland. She has uncovered 100 wells with more than 30 restoring flowing spring water. Changing the lives of residents of the town, now exposed to the healing qualities of spring water. A quality recognised as a fundamental element of Malvern’s identity and community. Charlotte delivered a thought provoking, insightful, inspiring talk, demonstrating the positive effect of spring water to well-being.
Well-Being is Charlotte’s brand new book encapsulating her travels across the world, vast wisdom and her essential work on sacred wells. Malvern was very lucky to have some of the first ever copies of this brand new book.
To purchase Well-Being by Charlotte Emily Rose, complete a contact form (limited availability) or buy online.
Many thanks to the collaborative efforts of Malvern’s Well Dressing organisers, Malvern Town Council, Malvern District Council, Visit the Malverns, Creatives Connect and everyone involved for another fantastic festival. And of course, a huge thanks, well-done and congratulations to the Well Dressers. Their relentless hard work paid off through the joy and fun their crafts brought to Malvern’s community.
What will Malvern’s Well Dressing and Water Festival 2027 bring?
Priory Park may still be unavailable for next year’s family fun day. But worry not- we will ensure next year will be even more packed full. Expect plenty of family fun, events and community gatherings.
What theme will we see for the Wells Dressing next year? Make sure you follow Malvern Well Dressing and Malvern Spa Association on Facebook and Instagram for next year’s theme announcement.
Want to get involved in Well Dressing? Submit this form to enquire about being a Well Dresser in 2027.
Got an event or project for next year’s festival? We want to hear from you! Submit a contact form for Malvern Spa Association’s support and promotion.
Check out more images captured by Digitlight Photograhy of the Well Dressing here.