Bakewell
Bakewell is the mid-point of the Peak District National Park in north Derbyshire.
This historic village is always busy with visitors and locals because it is the only town within the Peak District.
We like the hustle and bustle. Bakewell offers an exciting mixture of old and new.
With its wonderful character honey-coloured cottages, remarkable old buildings, quirky shops and great restaurants, Bakewell is definitely worth a visit.
Bakewell Pudding
Bakewell is also celebrated for its famous pudding.
Legend has it that the town’s famous Pudding was created by mistake by a local cook at the Rutland Arms in the mid-19th century.
Don’t ask for a Bakewell Tart in the home of their origin – they are always known as ‘puddings’.
The River Wye
The River Wye is definitely one of the major features of Bakewell, running through the centre and meandering all the way through the park.
Just downstream is the romantic medieval Haddon Hall and two miles upstream is one of the most attractive of all the Peak villages, Ashford in the Water.
Monsal Trail
The Monsal Trail is a traffic free route for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and wheelchair users through some of the Peak District’s most spectacular limestone dales.
The trail runs along the former Midland Railway line for 8.5 miles between Blackwell Mill, in Chee Dale and Coombs Road, at Bakewell.
Cycle hire centres servicing the trail can be found at Hassop Station, (at the Bakewell end of the trail) and at Blackwell Mill, (at the northern end of the trail).
Other former railway lines open as traffic-free trails can be found at High Peak/Tissington Trail and Ashbourne.
Monsal Head
Monsal Head, directly above Monsal Dale, is one of the most famous and photographed viewpoints in Derbyshire.
The combination of the winding River Wye at the bottom of the steep dale, the famous Headstone viaduct and Fin Cop hill all make a walk through Monsal Dale a must-do.
Enjoy an 8,5-mile circular walk from Bakewell towards Monsal Head. This route takes in Ashford in the Water and follows parts of the Monsal Trail.
Cool Places to Explore: Stanage Edge | Kinder Scout | Haddon Hall | Chatsworth House | Lyme Park | Monsal Dale.
Cool Places to Eat: The Rutland Arms | Hassop Station Café | Lovage.
Cool Places to Stay: The Peacock at Rowsley.
