"Bakewell, home of the pudding! (NOT the tart!!)" Top 5 Page for this destination Bakewell by suvanki

Bakewell Travel Guide: 55 reviews and 118 photos

Bakewell , with view of Church - Bakewell

Bakewell today-

Situated on the banks of the River Wye (one of Englands finest trout rivers) and surrounded by the stunning scenery of Derbyshires dales and White Peak, Bakewell is ideally located.

The weekly market on Mondays, and the busy livestock market attract crowds of local farmers, residents, and visitors from near and wide.

The first Wednesday and Thursday of August sees Bakewell swamped with even more visitors, as this is when the annual Bakewell Show is held.
Over 2 million people visit Bakewell each year.

The ancient capital of The Peak!

Bakewell Bridge

Bakewell has been an important Market town since late Saxon times, drawing traders from the many Peakland villages and hamlets.
The first recorded fair was in 1254

Records show that warm and cold springs bubbled through the River Wyes meadows, and although this didn't appear to attract Roman settlers (as those of nearby Buxton), the settlement was named Badecan Wiellon ( The springs or wells of one called Badeca). However there is a Roman altar at nearby Haddon Hall

Gradually the settlement expanded, mainly around the church (Saxon evidence can still be seen today in the sculptures). A military camp was set up to protect the area from 'marauding Danes'

Edward the Confessor, proclaimed the area a royal hunting forest.

The Domesday book in 1086AD refers to Badequella, with its manor (a church, lead mine and 200 inhabitants)
being posessed by William the Conqueror.

By the 13th century a fine stone bridge comprising 5 arches spanned the villages ford.

The Peaklands wool traders brought further prosperity to the expanding town.

To be continued.........

Pros and Cons

Pros:A typical Derbyshire market town. Scenic. Historic.
Cons:Can get busy Saturday - Monday especially with traffic jams and crowds
In a nutshell:A Good base for exploring the Peak National Park

Last visit to Bakewell: Mar 2011
Intro Updated Mar 23, 2011
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Reviews (5)

Walks along the riverside Things to Do (2)

The riverside is a pleasant place to stroll, with plenty of seats to stop and people watch. A wide variety of waterfowl... more travel advice

Farmers Market Things to Do (2)

These markets are usually held on the last Saturday of the month, (with the December 2005 being on Sat 17th) Open 0900... more travel advice

A taste of Austria in Derbyshire!!! Restaurants (1)

Well this was a surprise!! An authentic Austrian coffeeshop and sausage importer in the centre of a Derbyshire... more travel advice

The Bakewell Pudding - The Recipes Local Customs (2)

Although this recipe is accredited to Mrs Greaves, it was her nameless maid that invented this dish. (Please see... more travel advice

Comments (9)

spidermiss Jun 12, 2011 at 1:39 PM Report Abuse

Love the Bakewell tips! Planning on going at the end of June and looking forward to the Bakewell pudding! Dawnx
nickandchris Mar 21, 2008 at 8:00 AM Report Abuse

Thanks, enjoyed this glimpse into Derbyshire. Don't know this area at all.
angiebabe Jun 18, 2007 at 1:50 AM Report Abuse

I had thought Bakewell was all about the Bakewell tart ...Now i know all about the Bakewell pudding! whats the story about the bakewell tart....!
gilabrand Oct 17, 2006 at 8:34 AM Report Abuse

So they bake well in Bakewell. Sounds like my kind of place.
aussirose Mar 7, 2006 at 9:13 PM Report Abuse

Just love those gorgeous pix Sue. We're looking for a place to stay overnight half way between Glasgow and Sussex and seems I've found it! Thanx!! Cheers, Ann :o)
iandsmith Jan 8, 2006 at 3:10 PM Report Abuse

And to think I nearly made it. We were just up the road at Dethick. Still, we managed about 4 lots of tarts and puddings in the area. Thank you for sharing.
nhcram Mar 13, 2005 at 12:52 PM Report Abuse

Have only tried the commercial stuff so must get to htis lovely place. Thanks for sharing x
stevezero Jan 31, 2005 at 3:15 PM Report Abuse

Tried the pudding last week for first time - pleasantly surprised. Went down well with the coffee, but calorie count goes off the scale!
Bashir-1 Jan 11, 2005 at 8:58 PM Report Abuse

hope to see some pics about Bakewell ... waiting