Bakewell Market: What Day, What to Expect and When to Arrive

Bakewell Market is the largest market in the Derbyshire Dales and one of the most well-regarded outdoor markets in the country, voted Best Large Outdoor Market in 2020. Bakewell has a rich market history, with markets and fairs being held in the town since the 1300s.

Today, the weekly market has around 100 stalls selling a diverse range of products, including clothes, local produce, confectionery, jewellery, freshly baked goods, plants and much more. In addition to the Monday market, a separate Bakewell Farmers’ Market runs on the last Saturday of each month, focusing specifically on local food producers.

Local tip: Arrive before 10 am for the best of it - stalls are at their fullest early, and the town fills quickly from mid-morning in summer.

This weekly event is both accessible and family-friendly, so if your stay includes a Monday, it's worth taking your time and building the whole morning around it.

Bakewell Shops - Independent Stores Worth Browsing

Bakewell has resisted the chain shops that have hollowed out most market towns. The centre is almost entirely independent with local food producers, specialist retailers, proper bookshops and the kind of traditional sweet shop that disappeared from most high streets decades ago. We’ve made a list of just some of our favourites:

• The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, Bridge Street - The shop front is as famous as the pudding itself. Buy one to eat warm rather than boxed to take home.
• The Bakewell Cheese Shop, Market Street - a good range of local and British cheeses. Worth visiting if you're stocking a cottage kitchen or putting together a picnic for the Monsal Trail.
• The Georgian House Sweet Shop, Bridge Street - Quaint and charming old-fashioned sweet shop with over 600 jars of sweets to choose from. Fill up a bag of pick’n’mix to take out with you for a long walk in the Peaks.
• Bookend Bookshop, Bridge Street - a small second-hand bookshop run by volunteers for a local charity, with all stock donated by the community.
• The Derbyshire Emporium, Matlock Street - sells local Peak District produce as well as an array of original work from local artisans, craftspeople and artists across Derbyshire.
  
  

Local tip: Most shops in Bakewell are open Monday to Saturday; some close or reduce hours on Sundays. Monday is the busiest day because of the market - if you're browsing rather than buying, Tuesday to Thursday gives you the town largely to yourself.

Walks in and Around Bakewell

Bakewell is one of the best-placed towns in the Peak District for walking - the River Wye runs directly through the centre, and Haddon Hall is reachable on foot along the riverbank without touching a road.

• The River Wye path runs along both banks through the centre of town - flat, well-maintained and excellent with dogs. The short loop from the town bridge to the weir and back takes around 20 minutes at a leisurely pace.
• The path north along the Wye towards Ashford in the Water is quieter and less visited - around 2 miles one way, through water meadows and one of the most peaceful stretches of riverside walking in the White Peak.
• Most walking routes in and around Bakewell are dog-friendly throughout; the riverside paths in particular suit dogs of any size and fitness level.

For more information, see our guide to the best circular walks, edge routes and dog walks within easy reach of Bakewell and Baslow.

Haddon Hall - The Unmissable Stop Two Miles South

Haddon Hall is one of England’s best-preserved medieval manor houses, largely unchanged since the 15th century. Two miles south of Bakewell on the A6, it's close enough to combine with a morning in town as a natural full day out - and significantly less crowded than Chatsworth at almost any time of year.

• Getting there from Bakewell: A 2-mile riverside walk south along the Wye, or a 5-minute drive on the A6.
• The walled rose garden is exceptional from June to August and considered one of the finest in England.
• Allow 2–3 hours for the house and gardens, longer if you walk from Bakewell along the river rather than driving.
• Tickets should be booked in advance, particularly in summer - check the Haddon Hall website for current opening times and prices before you visit.
• Note: Dogs are not permitted inside Haddon Hall house or gardens.

Where to Eat in Bakewell: Puddings, Pubs and Proper Lunches

The Bakewell Pudding - and why it's not a Bakewell tart

No trip to Bakewell is complete without settling the pudding question first.

The pudding and the tart are different things, and Bakewell is only responsible for one of them. The original Bakewell Pudding has a flaky pastry case with jam and a rich almond filling - created by accident in the kitchen of the Rutland Arms Hotel in the 19th century when a cook misread a recipe. The iced tart with a cherry on top came later and wasn't invented here.

• The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, Bridge Street - the most well-known place to try one, with a recipe dating to the early 1800s.
• Bloomers of Bakewell, Water Street - a quieter alternative with a shorter queue and an equally good pudding.

Pubs and Restaurants in Bakewell

• The Rutland Arms Hotel, The Square - the building where the pudding was invented, which is worth knowing when you order one for dessert. Good food in a proper old coaching inn, open for lunch and dinner.
• The Castle Inn, Castle Street - a dog-friendly pub in the town centre. Good for a straightforward lunch with a dog under the table, no fuss.
• Piedaniel's, Bath Street - the most serious cooking in Bakewell, French-influenced and worth booking for a special lunch or dinner.
• The Wheatsheaf, Bridge Street - reliable, dog-friendly and central. A good option for an end-of-day drink after the market or the river walk.

Bakewell Cafés and Afternoon Tea

• The Bakewell Tart Shop and Café, Matlock Street - good for a coffee and a sit-down after the market. Serves both the tart and the pudding if you want a direct comparison.
• Lavender Tea Rooms, Hebden Court - the most popular afternoon tea option in town. Booking ahead is advisable on summer weekends and bank holidays.

Making the Most of a Bakewell Day, And Where to Stay Nearby

A well-planned Bakewell day has a natural shape: market or shops in the morning, pudding shop mid-morning, river walk before lunch, Haddon Hall in the afternoon, back into town for a drink before heading home. That's a full day without rushing, and the kind of visit that's difficult to do justice to on a day trip from further afield.

A few practical notes before you go:

• Arrive early. Bakewell fills quickly from mid-morning on summer weekends and market Mondays. Arriving early gets you the best of the market, a better chance at a parking space and the river path before the crowds arrive.
• Parking fills fast. The Agricultural Way car park is the largest and most convenient. On busy days, summer weekends and bank holidays in particular, it fills by mid-morning.
• Midweek is the sweet spot. The market is on Mondays, but Tuesday to Thursday gives you Bakewell largely to yourself - the shops, the riverside walks and Haddon Hall are all significantly quieter.
• Allow more time than you think. Most visitors who plan a couple of hours end up staying most of the day. Building in flexibility makes the difference between a rushed visit and a good one.

Where to Stay Near Bakewell

Staying in Bakewell itself puts you in the town centre - convenient, but busy in season and without the countryside feel most Peak District visitors are looking for. The better option is a base close enough to drive in when you want to, in a quieter village with direct access to the wider park.

Robin Hood Farm is 15 minutes from Bakewell in the village of Baslow - central enough to reach the town easily, peaceful enough to feel like a proper countryside escape. You can be in Bakewell before the market stalls are fully set up and back at the farm for lunch.

We hold a 5/5 TripAdvisor rating from over 450 guests, offer dog-friendly B&B rooms with a homemade breakfast included, and a self-catering cottage with a fully enclosed private garden for guests who want more independence.

Book directly through our website or call for the best rates and no commission fees. Bookings can also be made by phone: 01246 582868 or email info@robinhoodfarm.co.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions