Summary of Attractions in Bakewell
Bakewell, a quaint market town nestled in the White Peak region of the Peak District National Park, serves as an ideal retreat for tourists. It is strategically positioned as a gateway to two of England’s most esteemed stately homes.
Chatsworth House, the awe-inspiring residence of the Dukes of Devonshire, is renowned for its extensive art collection and is often regarded as the nation’s favorite country house.
Haddon Hall, while less famous, boasts exceptional Medieval and Tudor architecture that captivates visitors.
Visitors can explore the picturesque beauty of the White Peak by traversing the Monsal and High Peak Trails, two serene walking and cycling routes that repurpose historical railway lines and feature old tunnels and viaducts.
The town also harbors a 16th-century Yeoman’s house repurposed as a museum, a Medieval bridge, and a church adorned with remarkable monuments dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries.
Here, we delve into the most notable attractions in Bakewell:
1. Chatsworth House
In 2018, this world-renowned stately home underwent its most significant restoration in 200 years.
Since 1549, sixteen generations of the influential Cavendish family (the Dukes of Devonshire) have resided at Chatsworth. Positioned on the eastern bank of the Derwent River and overlooking the hills, Chatsworth is filled with invaluable art, furniture, ceramics, and Ancient Egyptian artifacts.
The architecture of the house reflects various modifications over the years to accommodate its inhabitants; its exterior primarily exhibits a Neoclassical style from the 19th century, while older 17th-century Baroque elements are visible on the eastern facade.
Noteworthy interior spaces, including the Painted Hall and the Chapel, showcase minimal alterations over time.
The Devonshire Collection features masterpieces by Rembrandt, Gainsborough, and John Singer Sargent, in addition to Old Master drawings, remarkable metalwork, ceramics, Enlightenment scientific instruments, and 18th-century furnishings.
2. Peak District
The first-ever National Park in the UK, established in 1951, envelops Bakewell in its natural beauty. The White Peak region derives its name from the distinctive white limestone that characterizes the landscape.
This limestone has been a source of quarrying for centuries; walking along the Monsal Trail, detailed further below, provides an insight into the geological layers beneath.
The scenic countryside surrounding Bakewell is defined by dry stone walls, heather moorland, and vibrant dales, rich with wildflowers during summer and dotted with grazing cattle and sheep.
At the Bakewell visitor center, housed in the elegant 17th-century market hall, one can engage with exhibitions about the Peak District and obtain valuable information regarding walking trails and attractions in the White Peak.
3. Haddon Hall
Constructed incrementally between the 13th and 17th centuries, Haddon Hall is an impressive country residence situated by the River Wye, just a few miles from Bakewell.
This residence served the Dukes of Rutland and is considered one of the most well-preserved Medieval manor houses in the UK. Its preservation can be attributed to a 200-year period of abandonment before restoration efforts began in the 1920s.
Visitors can explore the interior, including the historic kitchen and the banquet hall, which features an enormous table that has remained in its original position since its installation.
The exterior is complemented by a stunning parterre and a walled topiary garden, offering magnificent views of the surrounding Peak District.
With its authentic period charm, Haddon Hall has served as a filming location for several notable movies, including The Princess Bride (1987), Elizabeth (1998), and Jane Eyre (2011).
4. Bakewell Old House Museum
This museum operates from March to November and is situated in a 16th-century Yeoman’s house that once served as a tax collector’s home. Constructed in 1536, the building was expanded during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 18th century, it was utilized by workers employed in Sir Richard Arkwright’s mills.
The Old House showcases architectural styles from Tudor to Victorian periods, featuring grand fireplaces, wooden beams, and walls constructed from wattle and daub.
Exhibits include displays of period textiles as well as dioramas depicting Christopher Plant, the Tudor tax collector, alongside educational content about the famous Bakewell Pudding in the kitchen.
5. Thornbridge Hall Gardens
On select Wednesdays and Thursdays during the summer, visitors can enjoy the remarkable Thornbridge Hall Gardens, which are set within the grounds of a large country estate.
This garden recently achieved recognition as a Royal Horticultural Society “partner garden” and was designed in a formal style during the 19th century.
The visionary behind this garden, George Marples, sought to achieve a view of “1,000 shades of green” from his bedroom window.
Encompassing 12 acres, the gardens feature a koi lake, rock garden, woodland, an impressive 30-meter herbaceous border, Italian garden, and terraced lawns that present splendid vistas of the Peak District.
Notable statues within the garden originate from Chatsworth, along with several gifts from the Greek government.
6. Monsal Trail
Bakewell serves as a terminus for an exhilarating 8.5-mile walking and cycling trail that follows the route of the former Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland Junction Railway.
Founded in 1863 to facilitate a rail link between Manchester and London, the railway closed in 1968. The salient beginning or end of the route is located just east of Bakewell at Coombs Road, where visitors can marvel at the impressive railway architecture along the way.
Trail users will journey past disused stations, traverse viaducts, and pass through six tunnels, four of which are so extensive they require artificial lighting even during daylight.
A standout feature of the trail is the Headstone Viaduct, which spans one of the Peak District’s most picturesque dales.
7. All Saints’ Church
The distinguished parish church in Bakewell has its origins in the 9th century and was originally established in 920. Subsequent reconstruction occurred in the 12th century, with significant alterations taking place in the 1230s.
The predominant architectural style is Gothic, although some portions of the facade retain Norman Romanesque features.
Several ancient artifacts within All Saints’ Church are associated with the Manners and Vernon families who resided at Haddon Hall.
The Vernon Chapel is particularly noteworthy, featuring tombs belonging to individuals such as Sir Thomas Wendesley, who perished at the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403. Additionally, the Foljambe monument from the 14th century is carved from alabaster and depicts Godfrey de Foljambe and his wife Avena overlooking a balcony.
Within the choir, visitors can find three misericords from the 1400s, while the remaining eighteen date back to the 19th century. The church also houses a baptismal font from the same period.
8. Bakewell Bridge
Despite the limited remnants of Medieval Bakewell, the striking five-arched bridge spanning the Wye stands as a cherished vestige.
Constructed from ashlar sandstone, this Grade I listed structure dates back to the early 14th century and showcases Gothic pointed arches as well as triangular cutwaters that extend along the bridge’s side to provide pedestrian alcoves.
The most recent major restoration occurred in the 1800s when the bridge was widened to accommodate vehicular traffic.
A stroll south along the Wye provides visitors with some of the most picturesque landscapes in Bakewell.
9. Arbor Low
Located a six-mile drive from Bakewell, Arbor Low is an intriguing Neolithic henge, often referred to as the “Stonehenge of the North.” In reality, Arbor Low shares more similarities with the stone circle at Avebury, featuring approximately 50 large stones, quarried locally from the White Peak limestone.
The stones are arranged in a rough oval pattern on an elevated bank, enclosed by a ditch and bank.
Despite being abandoned around 3,500 years ago, the earthworks still rise over two meters high, and there is a burial mound on one side of the ditch, while approximately 300 meters away lies Gib Hill, a significant Neolithic barrow that dates back about 4,500 years.
10. Bath Gardens
Located adjacent to Rutland Square in central Bakewell, this serene garden is meticulously maintained by the local council.
This compact park features pathways lined with vibrant flowerbeds and beautifully manicured lawns.
Additionally, it includes ivy-covered walls, young fruit trees, a pergola, and ornamental features such as a sundial and birdbath.
The garden’s fountain is sourced from Bakewell’s warm chalybeate spring, and the area was formerly the site of a bath house constructed in 1697, part of an initiative to establish Bakewell as a spa destination to rival Buxton and Matlock.
11. Magpie Mine
Situated in the limestone uplands west of Bakewell, this abandoned lead mine is accessible on foot from the village of Sheldon.
The historical ruins date back to the 17th century and are surrounded by lush grasslands adorned with cowslips and wild orchids during early summer.
Locally, the Magpie Mine is renowned for the often tumultuous disputes that occurred between its workers and those at Maypitts and Red Soil Mines.
Notably, an incident of sabotage by the Magpie Miners led to the death of three miners from the Red Soil Mine in 1833. Legend has it that the widows of the deceased placed a curse on this mine, resulting in its eventual abandonment in 1958. Various intriguing features, such as a chimney stack and winding gear, are still present and marked with informative signage; volunteers are available on weekends to provide further insights.
12. High Peak Trail
This walking and cycling pathway crosses the Peak District for a distance of 17 miles, passing just south of Bakewell.
Part of the National Cycle Network, the High Peak Trail follows the route of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway, built in 1831 to transport stone and minerals between the Cromford and Whaley Canals.
Following the railway’s closure, Derbyshire County Council acquired significant sections of the line and transformed it into a trail, laying the track with crushed limestone to ensure accessibility for walkers of all ages.
Near Ladmanlow, the trail reaches its highest elevation at 386 meters above sea level; while the views are spectacular, the terrain can be challenging under adverse weather conditions.
Approximately five miles from Bakewell, the High Peak Trail intersects with the Tissington Trail, another revitalized railway line.
13. Thornbridge Brewery
Founded in the grounds of Thornbridge Hall in 2005, this brewery relocated to a new, contemporary facility on the outskirts of Bakewell in 2009. Thornbridge is recognized as one of the UK’s pioneering craft breweries, having received numerous awards over the past 15 years.
The brewery is conveniently situated within a ten-minute walking distance from the center of Bakewell, and offers a 90-minute tour where guests can learn about the brand’s history and the selection of quality ingredients used in brewing.
Inside the brewhouse, visitors can observe the large stainless steel fermentation tanks and discover the complexities of the brewing process from boiling and fermentation to maturation.
The tour concludes with the opportunity to sample three different beverages from a diverse selection of cask, keg, and bottled beers.
14. Bakewell Market
The tradition of market trading in Bakewell dates back to 1330, and it continues today at the Stall Market held on Mondays at the Marketplace and Granby Road.
From 09:00 to 16:00, more than 100 vendors offer a variety of goods, including flowers, vegetables, freshly baked bread, toys, jewelry, fabrics, clothing, and locally produced food items.
This market is the largest in the Derbyshire Dales, and on the last Saturday of each month, visitors can explore the offerings of local producers at the UK’s second-largest farmers’ market.
15. Bakewell Pudding
This iconic dessert is a prominent feature throughout Bakewell.
The Bakewell pudding, consisting of a pastry base topped with jam and a sweet egg and almond paste filling, dates back to the early 19th century and, according to local lore, was accidentally invented at the White Horse Inn.
Legend has it that the landlady requested the cook to prepare a jam tart, but the egg and almond mixture was mistakenly poured on top, resulting in a custard-like consistency once baked.
Multiple establishments claim to possess the original recipe, with the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop on The Square being the most popular destination for this delightful confection.
