How to spend 48 hours in Bakewell

No visit to Bakewell is complete without sampling the ubiquitous Bakewell Pudding, not to be confused with a Bakewell Tart! Legend has it that the town's famous Pudding was created by mistake by a local cook in the mid-19th century. Today her delectable 'jam tart that went wrong' can be sampled at various bakeries and cafés and posted virtually anywhere in the world!

You can pick up a pudding in many places around the town, but if you want to be truly authentic then it must be sampled at the Original Pudding Bakewell Pudding shop which, as the name suggests, is the birthplace of this delicacy. If you're after something a little less sweet then fear not, they serve all sorts of food - plus delicious afternoon teas - in their very fine tea room upstairs.

A couple of miles south of the town on the A6 is medieval Haddon Hall. Described as ‘the most perfect house to survive from the middle ages’, beautiful Haddon Hall is the private residence of Lord and Lady Edward Manners, set in the Peak District in the valley of the River Wye.

Avoiding fire, warfare, family misfortune and changing fashions, little has changed over recent centuries and Haddon provides a unique view of early English life and history.

With nine hundred years of history, it is one of the oldest houses in the country and moreover one of the only houses in England to have remained in one family’s ownership for its entire existence.

Haddon is unique as it remained empty for nearly two hundred years. This extraordinary period, when time stood still in the Hall, allowed it to remain unaltered during the modernising period of the Georgians and Victorians

The Medieval Banqueting Hall remains furnished with its original Dais table, behind which hangs a tapestry gifted to the family by visiting Henry VIII.

In contrast to the Tudor and Medieval Rooms below, the light and airy first floor Elizabethan rooms culminate in the spectacular 110ft Robert Smythson designed Long Gallery; reputed to be one of the most beautiful rooms in England.

Haddon is also a famed filming location, featuring in no fewer than three different film adaptations of Jane Eyre and the recent Mary Queen of Scots film (2019) starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie!

There’s nothing quite like a traditional English village inn to warm your soul and with its AA Rosette, five-star rating, and recognition in the Michelin Guide, The Devonshire Arms at Beeley is as much an experience as it is a pub.

Just a short walk from Chatsworth House, the inn and its 18 beautiful en-suite bedrooms blend an idyllic village setting with contemporary comfort.

Sit back with a local craft ale, a glass of fine wine, and enjoy locally-sourced produce – much of which is sourced from the Chatsworth Estate itself.

Then spend the night in one of their individually furnished rooms, all equipped with the little extras to make your stay a truly memorable one. Large comfortable beds, luxury towels, wrap around bathrobes, coffee machines and tea trays make relaxing easy.

Start the day early with an revitalise walk along the Monsal Trail which follows the former railway line of the London Midland Railway. You can join the trail from Bakewell itself, but we'd recommend that you head a little further out of the town to Hassop Station, where there's a fantastic Cycle Hire, Gift Shop and Cafe. From here it's a 3 to 4 mile linear round trip to the stunning, breathtaking views of Monsal Viaduct and Monsal Head. Return to Hassop Station for lunch, and delicious homemade cake!

No visit to the area is complete without a visit to Chatsworth, one of England's finest stately homes. Home of the Cavendish family since the 1550s, Chatsworth has evolved through the centuries to reflect the tastes, passions and interests of succeeding generations.

Located just five minutes from Bakewell, there are over 30 rooms to explore, from the magnificent Painted Hall to the family-used chapel, regal State Rooms and beautiful Sculpture Gallery. Explore the 105 acres of stunning garden, miles of footpaths, extravagant water features, outdoor art exhibitions, surprises at every turn, rose, cottage, sensory and kitchen gardens, and magnificent views of the park.

In Chatsworth's working farmyard you can meet and learn about their friendly animals, not to mention the fun-packed woodland playground with a rope park and zip line, as well as water and sand play. There are also special activities during Easter, Halloween and Christmas.

There are plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat – whether you fancy a quick snack, a hearty meal or a luxurious afternoon tea, Chatsworth has something for everyone.