1) The Information Centre is in the restored 17th century market hall. Do go inside to find out more about the the Peak District.
When you leave the information centre walk straight ahead towards the roundabout and find the Bakewell Pudding shop on the left.
2) The Bakewell Pudding Shop - Bakewell Pudding was made for the first time back in 1860 accidently when a cook mistakenly put the jam of a strawberry tart in the bottom of the pudding case. It was an instant success and is still enjoyed to this day.
Cross the roundabout onto South Church Street with the Rutland Arms Hotel on your right. It was here that Jane Austen stayed before writing Pride and Prejudice. Continue along South Church St. until you find the Old House Museum.
3) The Old House Museum - is the home of the Bakewell and District Historical Societies' collection. It opens every afternoon during the summer and is well worth a visit if you have time.
Continue along South Church St. until you find the parish church.
4) Bakewell Parish Church - is a mixture of Anglo-Saxon and Norman fragments. A list of past vicars in the church dates back to Henry De Lexington who took up his post in 1253. Do go inside and find the graves of the Manners family from Haddon Hall.
Return to the Rutland Hotel by North Church Street. Walk into Bath Gardens on the left across the road. In the corner of the gardens is the Bath House.
5) The Bath House was originally built in the 1697 for the Duke of Rutland and was rebuilt in 1818 to directly compete with the spa town of Buxton owned by the Dukes of Devonshire but the thermal waters were not warm enough to pose a serious threat. The bath house now serves other purposes. Walk down the main street keeping to the left at the fork in the road.
6) The Town Hall is relatively modern and is frequently used for antique and craft fairs which are always worth a visit. Continue down the main street to the bridge.
7) The old pack horse bridge over the River Wye dates back to medieval times, although it was widened on the upstream side in the 19th century. Notice the grooves in the masonry, carved by the traces of the horses as they carried their burdens over the river. Enjoy the tranquility of the river banks, feed the ducks and look for a trout basking in the turbulent stream.
Continue, now along the river bank for about fifty yards until you reach a turning up to the right which will bring you back to the Information Centre.
Now might be the time to savour the flavour of a freshly cooked Bakewell pudding or you could stock up with some food for a picnic before continuing your journey.
Blue Badge Guides have a regular programme of guided walks in Bakewell throughout the summer. Contact me if you wish to know more.
