Bakewell is a picturesque market town situated on the River Wye and lies right in the heart of the Peak District National Park. Bakewell dates back to Saxon times and is home to the famous Bakewell pudding. The story goes that Bakewell pudding originated by accident almost 150 years ago. The cook at the Rutland Arms Hotel poured the egg mixture on top of the jam by mistake, inadvertently creating the famous pudding. Bakewell has something for everyone, from its many historic buildings and its wonderful riverside walks along the banks of the Wye, to its award-winning town centre with shopping arcades and numerous cafe’s and restaurants.
Bargains galore are on offer every Monday at the bustling outdoor market. The cattle market is still held on a Monday but is now housed at the Agricultural Centre on the edge of town. On the last Saturday of every month at the Agricultural Centre, there is a thriving farmers’ market where you can purchase a variety of locally grown produce including, meat, cheeses, mushrooms and wine and beer. Browse in specialist shops selling everything from high fashion and outdoor clothing to handmade chocolates and rare whiskies.
The delightful 5 arched bridge spans the River Wye and upstream there is a narrower pack horse bridge. Bakewell’s visitor centre is housed in a seventeenth-century market hall.The striking 12C parish church sits on a rise overlooking the town and has an impressive Saxon cross in the churchyard. Thinly disguised as 'Lambton' in Jane Austen's literary classic Pride and Prejudice, Bakewell is the ideal place for an interesting town walk. Visit The Old House Museum - one of the oldest buildings in Bakewell - for a fascinating insight into the town's past.
Catch the colour of Bakewell Carnival Week and Well Dressing in July or Bakewell Show - one of the oldest agricultural events in the country - in August.
Take a brewery tour and sample world-beating craft beers at Thornbridge Brewery.
Motor cycle enthusiasts will not want to miss the M & C Collection of historic motor cycles in a former Bakewell pudding bakery on Matlock Street
Bakewell is located within a few miles of some of the Peak District’s most famous attractions. These include: the magnificent Chatsworth House; Haddon Hall, which ranks as one of the country’s best preserved medieval manor houses; the village of Ashford-in-the-Water, with a pretty appearance to match its pretty name; the picturesque estate villages of Edensor, Pilsley and Beeley; and the superb viewpoint at Monsal Head, located above the point where the River Wye takes a right-angle bend through a deep valley on its journey towards Bakewell. The Peak District provides a stunning backdrop to some of the finest scenery in the country. The many places to visit in the area including Country Estates, museums, pretty villages and market towns. If you're feeling active, head for the nearby Monsal Trail for some traffic-free walking, cycling or horse riding amid some of the prettiest scenery in the Peak District.