Holiday rentals in Bakewell

Located on the banks of the River Wye, the historic market town of Bakewell mixes all the charms of the Derbyshire countryside with the soaring summits and deep valleys of the Peak District. Bakewell’s cobbled streets are lined with ancient buildings, a few dating from the 13th century. Visitors can browse the town’s independent shops and soak up the history at nearby Haddon Hall manor house with its Gothic styling and medieval furnishings. The surrounding Peak District National Park features stunning landscapes of steep hills, limestone valleys, and caverns to explore alongside hiking and cycling trails.

Less than 15 minutes away, Chatsworth House is set in more than 100 acres of gardens and boasts the grand Painted Hall, which dates from the 1690s. Beyond its many historical offerings, the town is also known for its famous Bakewell pudding, a sweet pastry with jam and almond custard (and the predecessor of the Bakewell tart).

Bakewell has a temperate, moderate climate for much of the year, with mild summers and chilly winters that bring an increase in rain. June through to September is an excellent time to book a cottage in Bakewell, when the weather is at its warmest and driest, the town’s flower beds are in full bloom, and several events such as the International Day of Dance and Bakewell Carnival Week take place. The shoulder season’s brisk temperatures can also be pleasant when walking and biking in Peak District National Park, and autumn hues and spring blossom create dramatic backdrops along the way. The winter months are cold — temperatures often fall below freezing — and rainy, with peak wet season in January and occasional snowfall.

Peak District National Park

This 1,500-square-kilometre area of natural beauty was England’s first national park. Limestone dales and upland moors span the horizon in this picturesque park, with more than 2,500 kilometres of walking paths open to the public and vast lands available for off-trail exploration. Popular activities include windsurfing at Errwood Reservoir and boating on the Peak Forest Canal.

Bakewell Stall Market

Bakewell has held a weekly market in some form or another since 1330. Today, the tradition continues with the town’s Stall Market, which is held each Monday on Granby Road and Market Street. More than 100 booths showcase a variety of locally produced items, including fresh food, clothing, home decor, artisanal gifts, and snacks.

Old House Museum

Constructed in 1534, this traditional Tudor cottage was originally a tithing collector’s house and has seen many uses in its five centuries of continuous habitation. In the late 18th century, the cottage served as a millworker’s residence before eventually being converted to a museum in the 1950s. Over the years, residents have donated many artefacts relevant to local history. Swords, clothing, and children’s toys fill the nooks and crannies of this wide-ranging historical site.