Essential Hotels > England > Derbyshire > Bakewell

Bakewell is an attractive market town nestled into the heart of the Peak District National Park, which makes it a popular location for visitors on a day-trip or outdoor break in the Derbyshire countryside. Its setting is made even more picturesque by its position alongside the banks of the River Wye, and it is the closest town to Chatsworth House. The history of Bakewell includes Iron Age settlements and Roman occupation, but it first rose to prominence during Anglo-Saxon times. Bakewell Parish Church, the Grade I listed All Saints Church, harks back to this time. It was founded in the early 10th century, and its architecture incorporates both the style of the time as well as those from modifications over successive generations.

Bakewell’s status as a market town dates from the medieval period, and again, some of the local architecture marks this growth. In this case it is the striking Grade I listed five-arched bridge that spans the River Wye, which was first built in the 13th century. Part of what had always attracted settlers to the area around Bakewell was its dozen natural springs. In the 1700s, as the craze for spa towns and therapeutic breaks was at its peak, Bakewell became a spa destination. Later, as the Industrial Revolution took hold, Bakewell saw the construction of a cotton mill. It was around this time that Bakewell’s famous namesake was born: the Bakewell Pudding. A tasty pastry of almond and jam, the pudding is said to have been locally created by accident at the Rutland Arms in the 19th century. A Bakewell pudding is not the same thing as a Bakewell tart, but there is more than one shop in the town where you can try both and draw your own comparisons.

Today it is the traditional market aspect and historic surroundings that draw people to this area of Derbyshire. It still holds a weekly market, as well as a huge livestock market. The annual Bakewell Show is also a major local event. It was started in 1819 and is still held every summer. It has become one of the foremost agricultural shows in the country, filled with family-friendly displays and events.