Winter Festival of the Waters

This festival is a three month long celebration of the healing power of water, featuring special packages, sales and events all winter long. Chase away the winter blues in Berkeley Springs: The Country's First Spa, and enjoy ancient healing for the new millennium.

Three very special events are featured during the Festival:

Spa Feast at The Country Inn at Berkeley Springs
A smorgasbord of health and beauty services in a free Saturday morning fair. Spa specials all weekend. Saturday, January 30, 2010.

Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting
at The Country Inn at Berkeley Springs
More than 100 sparkling, bottled and municipal waters compete in the largest and longest running water tasting in the world. Open to the public. Other specials all weekend. Last full weekend in February.

George Washington's Bathtub Celebration
History and George Washington events as well as $1 specials around town. Weekend closest to March 18, anniversary of Washington's first visit in 1748.

ABOUT THE WATER

From time immemorial, water has been the magnet drawing travelers to the narrow valley south of the Potomac River known to the world by the 18th century name of these waters - Berkeley Springs.

The warm mineral water flows from five major sources and numerous lesser ones within a hundred yard span of the base of Warm Springs Ridge which makes up the western boundary of Berkeley Springs State Park in the center of town. A channel and series of open pools comprise the largest outdoor display of spring water among the Blue Ridge spas. Berkeley Springs water is available for bathing in two park bathhouses; for drinking from a fountain at the 19th century Gentlemen's Spring House; and from every tap in town since it serves as source of the municipal water supply. Berkeley Springs water is also bottled by two local bottlers.

Constants about the water are its temperature - it flows from the ground at 74.3 degrees Farenheit - and its mineral composition. Dominated by sulphates, nitrates and carbonates, the water has a fresh, clean taste which was compared in the 19th century to the famous European Apollonaris spring water. Flow has varied over the centuries. Througout the 19th century, the flow was reported as a constant 2000 gallons per minute. Measurements taken dozens of times throughout the 20th century demonstrated that the flow ranged from 1000 to 2000 gallons per minute. After a debilitating period of drought, flow in the opening years of the 21st century was reported at an all time low of 750 gallons per minute. A wet 2002-03 is expected to increase flow to historic standards.

There are numerous facts and fictions about Berkeley Springs water. Click here to learn more.

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