The picture-perfect town of Bakewell in the Derbyshire Peak District, with its beautiful setting on the River Wye, is often referred to as the ancient capital of the Peak District. It is a relatively small market town with a population of less than 5,000, but its wealth of historic buildings, shops and restaurants make it a very popular destination for visitors to the area. It is a wonderful place to explore, with pretty riverside walks, old stone cottages, narrow lanes and hidden courtyards.
Derbyshire Peak District Market Town
Things to do in Bakewell – Events
A thriving, busy community today and the town hosts a number of annual events, so there are always things to do in Bakewell. Like many Peak District towns and villages, it has a well dressing ceremony every June, as part of which local people decorate the town’s wells and springs with large clay pictures made entirely of natural materials, usually flower petals, leaves, seeds, and pebbles. Carnival week, culminating in a procession through the town, is held at the beginning of July.
The Bakewell Agricultural Show, held every August, is one of the largest agricultural shows in the UK, bringing around 65,000 visitors to the Bakewell Showground. Bakewell also hosts an annual Arts Festival every August, as well as the Peak Literary Festival in Spring and Autumn. The town’s literary connections include its setting as Lambton in Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. The Christmas Market brings the town square to life every December with festive food, craft and gift stalls.
Bakewell is close to the tourist attractions of Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and Arbor Low. For energetic visitors the nearby Monsal Trail provides a safe, level walking and cycling route out of the town into some of the most stunning scenery in the Peak District. And once you’ve worked up a thirst, try a brewery tour and sample delicious craft beers at the local Thornbridge Brewery.
The beautiful Bakewell Bridge with its five Gothic arches and triangular quoins, is one of the oldest bridges in England. So when passing over it, spare a thought to its history.
Top Attractions in and near to Bakewell
Take a walk, or hire a bike and travel along the disused railway towards Buxton on the Monsal Trail
Visit the amazing Chatsworth House and wander around the house and gardens
Browse around the Bakewell Old House Museum
Take a walk hand in hand along the pristine River Wye
Take a tour of the Thornbridge Brewery
Visit the All Saints Church
Take a short drive to Sheldon and explore the industrial past at Magpie Mine (lead mine)
Delve into ancient history with a drive to the English Heritage site, Arbor Low Stone Circle & Gib Hill Barrow
