The River Wye

Do NOT Call It A Tart...!

Bakewell, Derbyshire, England East Midlands

Recommendation added: 08/10/2006 21:47
By: dewberry (YSUK rating +816)

dewberry has been thanked 2 times for this contribution

"If you're in Derbyshire a visit to the historic town of Bakewell is a must. We spent a few days in a B&B in Bakewell and rather than just being the base we'd thought when we booked, we ended up spending most of our time in this pretty little town.

Bakewell was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1085 and has one of the oldest surviving markets in the country, as well as a thriving cattle market and, of course, the Bakewell Pudding was first devised here.

What I love about this town is the fact that it looks so old and untouched by time; if I had to describe the place in three words they would be picturesque, quaint and traditional. It's absolutely gorgeous.

There's lots to do shopping wise; I particularly liked The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop where I bought some puddings (obviously) and had a delicious meal in the upstairs café. There are also several excellent souvenir shops full of Bakewell inspired merchandise – I picked up a Bakewell pudding shaped thimble for my mum which is now the centre piece of her collection! I also found a fantastic outdoor clothing store quite by accident while exploring a narrow side street; this shop sells some brilliant Helly Hansen and Berghaus gear including gorgeous kids' weatherproof suits. The prices were no cheaper than your average outdoor clothing store, but compared to Blacks and other such places the selection of colours and styles was excellent.

There are many food shops in Bakewell including sweet shops, bakeries, a Co-Op and several places selling ice creams. The Co-Op is great for buying your bread and basic bits and pieces during your stay, and I love the way that although it's ultra modern inside the designer has made it blend in with the prettiness of the town. Funnily enough, the only thing I couldn't find in Bakewell was an off licence so I had to buy very expensive bottles from the Co-Op!

When you're hungry head to the restaurant in The Rutland Arms Hotel, the very place that claims to have invented the Bakewell Pudding. An evening meal will cost you around £40 for three courses plus coffee and mints at the end, the meal is delicious and well worth the money. We visited on our last night and it really made our stay all the more special. Service is fabulous and I left, after eating Prawn Cocktail, Duck la Orange and Chocolate Melting Cake, feeling like the staff really cared than I'd chosen to eat in their restaurant.

For a more down to earth meal I'd suggest a wonderful little chip shop called Bakewell Fish & Chips on Water Street. We found ourselves here most evenings after a few drinks in a local pub and shared whale size Cod & Chips out of a tray, and the chips are absolutely gorgeous. Alternatively there are lots of places for very good pub grub, including The Red Lion in The Square which does a great line in steaks at reasonable prices.

Bakewell is a truly beautiful. The River Wye runs through the town, and is crossed by a 700 year old arched bridge and the narrower but just as pretty Packhorse Bridge. From the arched bridge my fella was enthralled by the massive trout which were enjoying the sun and literally basking on top of the water. The scenery is definitely impressive; we walked along the river in both directions and it's so lush and green that it's hard to think we weren't that far from the major cities of Leicester and Nottingham. It's an idyllic place with the outskirts of town being beautifully green with an abundance of wildlife and plants. One night we walked along the river and saw a badger and fox within 100 yards of each other – good wildlife too, none of the mangy foxes I see sometimes in Birmingham!

Rabbits are plentiful in the area around Bakewell too, much to the delight of some campers we got talking to one day who had feasted on rabbit stew for a week! Lovely little creatures and so tame they didn't stop munching the grass as we walked past – which explains why the campers were so well fed!

Bakewell Church is definitely worth a visit if you're in the town. It's a beautiful church, almost of cathedral grandeur, with a fascinating history. Originally a Saxon church built in 920AD; fragments of this ancient building are still visible today in the porch area, although the church was added to by the Normans and eventually was practically rebuilt in the mid-nineteenth century. It's a very majestic place of worship both inside and out, I found it a particularly beautiful backdrop to Bakewell when the sun was setting and the church seemed lit up in the evening sun.

There are some beautiful tombs in the Vernon Chapel dating back to 1377; with this oldest tomb being the most beautiful, a fantastically detailed likeness of a local dignitary and his wife sculpted into alabaster. It was mesmerising, and amazing how clean and well maintained the tomb is after all those centuries.

Accommodation is plentiful in Bakewell. We stayed in a small B&B just off The Square which cost £18 each per night, although you can find one further away from the hub of the town for half this price. Also there are a couple of large, more exclusive hotels which cost upwards of £40 a night and several campsites in the beautiful surrounding Derbyshire hills.

Bakewell is easily found from all directions, located on the A6 and very clearly signposted as soon as you enter Derby. Parking is available, but be prepared to pay in certain areas even in some pub car parks. I found it easier to park further away from town in the residential part of Bakewell and walk through to town as it's always hit and miss whether you're going to get a space. We were given a parking permit for the street our B&B was located in, although this didn't come into force until after 7pm so we usually left our car in the safe spot we'd discovered.

One word of warning, don't say Bakewell Tart. I did and was chastised by a passing elderly gentleman who was seriously stern as he explained the difference between a tart and a pudding…"