The Cotwswolds. An area adored for its rolling hills, rich woodlands and quintessentially English villages. Its reputation proceeds it, across the UK and much of the world.
While crowds gather in these famous quaint villages and make visiting them a little tricky, there is an equally beautiful place, surrounded by rich nature, country homes and charming buildings, that gets far fewer visitors.
Tess Annan, manager at Welligogs, the British-made country attire brand, explained how one part of the Peak District National Park stands out as a place her customers should have firmly on their radar.
She shared: "Many people automatically think of the Cotswolds when planning a countryside escape, but Bakewell offers a very similar experience in the heart of the Peak District. Bakewell has that same feeling of stepping into a slower pace of life, which is one of the reasons visitors continue to fall in love with the Cotswolds year after year."
She explained how it's best visited mid-week. "It can be busy on weekends during the summer, but if you’re able to plan a mid-week visit, Bakewell definitely deserves a place on your list."
One aspect that draws a lot of people into the area, aside from using it as a picturesque base for exploring the surrounding Peak District, is the Monsal Trail. It's a scenic, traffic-free walking trail that allows walkers and cyclists to cover a long distance from the town, running along a former railway line.
The eight-and-a-half-mile route is much loved for its flat and fully paved trail, making it incredibly family-friendly and accessible. In turn, it can be a busy spot on a sunny day and gather plenty of attention from keen explorers on a weekend.
Traversing through disused railway tunnels, it's a route like no other and ideal for railway enthusiasts, with the most notable point being walking across the famed Headstone viaduct, which is an iconic five-arch, Grade II-listed Victorian structure that makes for a great photo opportunity from down below.
Most people choose to start the route from Coombs Road, which sits south-east of Bakewell's center, and finish up closer to its neighboring town of Buxton, at Blackwell Mill in Chee Dale.
When we're looking for a place to explore of an afternoon, the presence of cosy cafes and spots to have afternoon tea or grab an ice-cold pint are high up on the essentials list. Thankfully, Bakewell delivers on this front, from the River And Roast Upstairs Cafe to The Honey Bun Cafe, Lavender Tea Rooms and Peak Feast, to name a few.
You can't make a trip to Bakewell, however, and not pay a visit to the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, home to the original Bakewell Pudding, which, in the name, originated in the market town.
The local delicacy is a huge part of the town's tourism, as many even make a stop purely for the sweet treat – a shortcrust pastry base with a layer of jam, topped with an egg and almond filling. Along with it is the Bakewell tart, also originating in the area as a cake-like pastry made with shortcrust, a frangipane sponge, and typically topped with icing or flaked almonds.
Both are delicious and help to put the town on the map, but are just one of the many things that make Bakewell such a charming UK staycation that is less tourist-driven and a lot more budget-friendly.
