| Where: | Penrith, Cumbria at Cold Springs Community Nature Reserve on the Northern fringe of the town |
| When: | A Sunday in mid May |
| Time: | 10 am - 3pm with Parade at 1pm |
The Community Nature Reserve at Cold Springs is the setting for a revival of the old and once widespread custom of gathering fresh water and shaking it up with sweets inside to make “Spanish Water”. Historically this always took place here in May, along with many other customs around the country connected with the veneration of wells and other water sources. Bottles and sweets are provided for visitors, and a parade winds its way from the field up to the source, Dicky Bank Holy Well, where there is live music while the liquid is collected in the bottles and shaken vigorously with the sweets inside. A short blessing ceremony and reading follow, and there are numerous children’s activities on site including pond-dipping, crafts and games.
Helpful Hints
In 2026 it was on Sunday 17th May- 2027 date is yet to be announced. It’s a very family-friendly event and it’s free of charge.
The site is run by Cumbria Wildlife Trust and there are dog-walks onsite around the reserve. It doesn’t have dedicated parking but as it’s on the edge of town it’s easy to walk in- allow some time to locate the entrances and make your way into the centre of the reserve if you’re unfamiliar with the layout. The well is located to the east of the Play Area and when we visited the route to the festivities was marked with small windmills, with the easiest access near the Care Home on Scaws Drive.
Click here for the Wildlife Trust: https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/cold-springs-community-nature-reserve
and here for events: https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/events
and here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cumbriawildlifetrust
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