I’ve wanted to visit Bakewell for a while now. People always think it’s a tad bizarre when I declare ‘I’ve been planning to go to Bristol/ Bakewell/ Dumfries for ages’, as if the UK isn’t full of cool, colourful and new places to explore.
Bakewell first cropped up on my radar when I used to work in the travel industry and I had hoped to arrange a group tour to the home of the UK’s most famed tart (insert whatever pun you fancy here). Since then, it’s been on my various lists of weekend trips.
Where the heck is Bakewell
Bakewell, my friends, sits below Manchester and Sheffield and is nestled in the heart of the Peak District. Surrounded by two major cities in the north you’d be forgiven for thinking the Peak District might not have the appeal of the world-renowned Lake District. And while, yes, the Lakes does have more of a draw for water lovers, the Peak District is just as beautiful in its own way. With rolling hills, some truly epic roads and plenty of jaw-dropping views, if you love the outdoors you’ll love the Peak District.
I chose Bakewell because of its prime location between key walking areas and also because the town itself looked pretty darn cute. And I’m pleased to report it didn’t disappoint. A bustling town, Bakewell has everything you need for a stellar weekend break without losing the quaint countryside vibes.
Spending a weekend in Bakewell
We wanted to stay pretty central to the town centre so we could go out for bits and bobs without too much thought. We also wanted the option of staying in and cosying up somewhere comfortable after a long walk. Add in the fact we have a pooch and we wanted it to be cheaper than £100 a night all in, we had a challenge on our hands.
We stumbled across ‘The Tilla Cottage’ on AirBnB and it was perfect. A five-minute stroll from the town centre, beautifully furnished and extremely dog friendly – we had found a winner. I’d recommend this stay to anyone looking for an affordable break in Bakewell, no fuss but impeccably done.
In the town you’ll find everything needed for your mini break. There’s a rather fancy co-op, plenty of pubs and some smashing coffee shops. My standout cup of liquid sunshine was from local indie cafe ‘Summat Coffee’. Hidden from the main street down a ginnel you’ll find Summat who offer up some great-tasting coffee and helpful walking advice for anyone who asks.
My second mention goes to The Cornish Bakery. Not an independent by any means but they offered up some delicious croissants and a tasty cappuccino to boot. And who am I to turn that down?
And, the pièce de résistance, the Bakewell bakeries. We sampled a few tarts from the various bakeries and all were delicious but I’d be remiss to not mention the OG – The Original Bakewell Pudding Shop. With their first Bakewell Pudding sale dating back to 1865, it’s fair to say if you only try one bakery – this has to be the one.
I must also apologise because I ate all the tarts before I could take a picture. At least you know they’re good.
These boots are made for walking
You can’t go to the Peak District and not walk. There’s an abundance of amazing trails to choose from no matter which part of the Peaks you’re staying in. I’d have loved to smash out some serious hikes but my compulsion to complete 40,000 steps a day doesn’t quite align with my husband’s idea of a good time. So, we compromised and picked some easier routes that ticked off my second compulsion: photo ops.
The Monsal Head circular walk
Our first walk in the Peaks was a bit of a disaster. I naively, or optimistically, didn’t factor in the February climate and planned walks that probably would be best suited to fairer weather. We set off to Edale, gallantly ignoring the grey clouds, in the hopes of doing the Kinder Scout route. Ten minutes in, barely able to see one metre ahead, we admitted defeat and headed back towards Bakewell, opting to do the Monsal Head River Wye circular loop instead.
This is a super easy walk with lovely views, so it pleased my husband’s request not to end the day in pain and appeased me with ample opportunities to snap some photos.
At around 7km, I would say this is a good family walk but for those not looking to overdo it, you can skip the full route and instead meander around the Viaduct. The old railway line is well-known and there were lots of young kids riding bikes along the route.
Three Shires Head loop
This is a fairly popular walk so I’d recommend starting early. We didn’t rock up to the car park until after 11am and, shock, it was full. Luckily we have an old banger of a car that we could bump up out of the way but if you’re not willing to get muddy, definitely set your alarms for a time that might make you wince a little. It’s also worth saying that if a car park is full, only leave your car somewhere that isn’t going to obstruct local life. We’ve seen plenty of abandoned cars blocking roads, gates or just causing a nuisance in general.
Sitting at around 8km this was another gentle walk with a variety of views and is just enough to get your blood pumping. My one top tip would be to do it anticlockwise as I enjoyed the first half of the walk much more and it’s always nice to end a walk on a high. There’s also a bit of a steep incline towards the last leg of the walk which is very manageable but would be more enjoyable as a descent.
Bamford Edge viewpoint
I am a sucker for a sunset. I googled the best spot to catch the sun going down and Bamford Edge seemed to be a popular choice. Once again, I ignored the weather and set off determined to have a picture-perfect end to the day.
Reader, the weather was atrocious/appalling/abysmal (pick the adjective of your choice). But we persevered and, while we didn’t get a single break in the weather, I imagine on a sunny day it’s a great spot to bid the day farewell.
BRB, moving to Bakewell to restart my life
I knew I was going to enjoy my little weekend away, I always do, but I wasn’t expecting to love it quite as much as I did. There’s nothing like spending the weekend outdoors and just marvelling at the simple beauty of the countryside. As many others will be able to relate to, working on a laptop for 40 hours a week can start to wear thin and getting some RnR away from it all is exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Peak District is absolutely worth a visit and I would highly recommend looking at accommodation in or around Bakewell. So, what are you waiting for? Get your walking boots on and head off for a much-needed day or two in the great British countryside – you can thank me later.
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