Tissington Wells Trail | 2.5 Miles
Tissington is one of the most beautiful villages in the Peak District, and this gentle 2.5-mile circular walk is the perfect way to explore it. The Tissington Wells Trail visits each of the village’s 6 historic wells – the centrepiece of Tissington’s famous Well Dressing Week, when the wells are decorated with elaborate floral designs in a tradition that dates back centuries. Whether you’re visiting during Well Dressing Week or any other time of year, this is a walk full of charm, history and character.
As well as the wells themselves, the route takes in a stretch of the Tissington Trail – a well-surfaced former railway line that cuts through the heart of the White Peak. Short enough for families and beginners yet rewarding enough for any walker, the Tissington Wells Trail makes for a wonderful half-day out in one of Derbyshire’s most picturesque corners.
Walk Overview
- Distance: 2.5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Route type: Circular
- Start point: Tissington village
- Terrain: Village lanes, footpaths, converted railway trail
- Facilities: Cafe, tearoom and toilets in Tissington
Highlights of the walk
- Visiting all of Tissington’s historic wells – each one decorated with stunning floral artwork during Well Dressing Week, a centuries-old Derbyshire tradition that gives thanks for the village’s pure water supply. During the Black Death (1348/1349) many people died, but all Tissington escaped thanks to the pure water in the wells.
- Walking through Tissington village itself – a beautifully preserved estate village with a Norman church, a grand hall and rows of traditional stone cottages that make it one of the prettiest spots in the Peak District
- A section along the Tissington Trail – a traffic-free former railway line that offers easy, flat walking through the White Peak countryside with wide views on either side
- An easy, accessible route that is ideal for families, young children and those looking for a gentle introduction to walking in the Peak District
- Starting and finishing in Tissington, where the village tearoom and cafe are perfect for a post-walk slice of cake and a well-earned cup of tea.
Tissington Well Dressing Week starts on Ascension Day in May (14-21 May 2026). Future well dressing dates: 6-12 May 2027 and 25-31 May 2028. Outside of these times the wells are undressed.
We visited during the Tissington Well Dressing so had to park in a field at the top of the village. If this parking is not available, park in the Tissington Trail car park (Darfield Ln, Tissington, Ashbourne DE6 1RA).
We walked down the lane into the village and soon came to the first well, Hands Well. A short distance further along the lane is Children’s Well, just before Tissington Hall. Across from Tissington Hall is Hall Well.
We walked down the road, passing Herberts, and the church, and turned right to visit Yew Tree Well.
From Yew Tree Well we returned to the village and passing the pond, came to Town Well. From here we turned left and followed a skinny footpath onto Chapel Lane. Coffin Well is behind one of the houses here.
From Coffin Well we walked down Darfield Lane to the Tissington Trail car park, and turned left onto the Trail. We followed the trail for 1.5 miles.
On approaching the third bridge, we left the Trail using a path on the right which climbs gently up and meets the top of the bridge. Crossing the bridge, we passed through Crakelow Farm, bearing left to head back towards Tissington.
The route crosses fields with some stiles, and heads back into the village, joining a lane which runs into the village by Hands Well, and it’s a short walk back to the car from here (or if you parked in the Tissington Trail car park, you just walk back through the village, passing the village pond on your right, and then turn right again into the car park).
Walk Map (Opens in OS Maps): Tissington Wells Trail
Parking: If visiting during Well Dressing Week there is a designated car park at the top of the village off The Green, Tissington Ashbourne DE6 1RA What3Words:///clasps.upsetting.divorcing. It was £3 to park all day.
The route passes through the Tissington Trail Car Park (if you’re doing this at any other time of year) on Mapleton Road, Tissington DE6 1FD What3Words: ///listed.releasing.chair – pay and display (cards or cash).
Facilities: There are cafes and shops in Tissington and at the Tissington Trail car park there are some public loos.
Dogs: This route passes farmland which has sheep and cows, and there are some stiles. Dogs need to be kept on a lead around livestock.
Walk Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: ▲
Distance: 2.5 miles (4.2km)
Trig Points Bagged: None
Peak District Peaks Bagged: None
Peak District Ethels Bagged: None
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