The Malvern Well Dressing and Water Festival is set to return with a theme fit for royalty. 

The popular festival, which will be held from Saturday, 29 April to Sunday, 7 May 2023, will see approximately 60 wells, springs and spouts across the Malvern Hills creatively decorated and lovingly dressed in the 2023 theme of 'Kings and Queens'. 

The festival starts with dressing the wells on Friday, 28 April, Judging takes place on Saturday, 29 April, and prize giving with rosettes and certificates on Bank Holiday Monday, 1 May, in Priory Park where family fun day also takes place. Visit Priory Park on 29 April for the Health and Wellbeing Fair and enjoy mini-bus tours, beautiful self-guided walks, well blessing ceremonies and so much more!

The theme connects with The Coronation of His Majesty The King, which takes place on Saturday 6 May, but for anyone taking part in the dressing of wells, it can also link with mythical or fictional Kings and Queens.

The annual event celebrates the history of the Malvern Hills District, from its iconic spring water and Victorian Water Cure to the area's ancient Pagan traditions. It is brought to the town by the Malvern Spa Association in partnership with Malvern Hills District Council and Malvern Town Council with local businesses and community groups taking part. 

Around 200 adults and over 500 school children will all be involved in dressing the wells across Malvern. 

Visitors can view the wonderful creations by setting off across the hills on foot, by bicycle or on a self-drive tour. Maps can be downloaded from the Malvern Well Dressing Facebook page or from Malvern Tourist Information Centre.

 Entertainment taking place includes singing, well blessings, minibus tours and more.

Cllr Daniel Walton, Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Economic Development at Malvern Hills District Council said: "We are really looking forward to the return of this popular festival, it is always such a great opportunity for residents, schools and community groups to come together and take part in dressing the wells and springs.”

Rick Banbury, Well Dressing Organiser said: "What a marvellous theme, Kings and Queens is, so fitting for the build-up to the Coronation. While for those who are less engaged, there's a mass of possibilities including Nursery Rhymes, Fairy Tales, Rock Stars, Drag Artists. This theme has it, to excite dressers to make wonderful creations come Mayday."

Image Notes:

Image one: Malvhina Fountain on Belle Vue Island in Great Malvern (copyright Sue Warner)

Image two: Georgia Brittain (left) and Cllr. Daniel Walton (right) at Jubilee Fountain in Malvern Wells (copyright Malvern Hills District Council)