Bakewell is the largest market town in the Peak District, where a mistake in the kitchen of the Rutland Arms Hotel produced the famous Bakewell Tart. There are now many variations of the tart worldwide, which makes a visit the the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop in The Square a must when passing.

The towns name has Roman origins meaning 'Bath Well' from the warm springs they discovered, the bridge with five arches over the river Wye is one of the oldest in Britain. Leaving town on the south on the Matlock road we pass Haddon Hall which has a gallery 110 feet long with magnificent painted ceiling. 

Turning right towards Hartington the road passes through Youlgreave which is pronounced Yoolgrave meaning 'Yellow Grove' where the Well dressing custom is continued.

Then the  Arbor Low stone circle is passed which is worth a visit.  There are 40 stones weighing up to 10 tons each, crown a hill 1.200 ft high, erected in the Bronze Age 2000 years BC, the circle has a diameter of 160 ft surrounded by a broad ditch and then a 12 ft high embankment.

Hartington a market town on the Staffordshire border is an ideal location to discover the White Peak hills to the north and the river Dove and Manifold Gorges to the South.

Hartington a market town on the Staffordshire border is an ideal location to discover the White Peak hills to the north and the river Dove and Manifold Gorges to the South. Just past Hartington at Hulme End turn south through Manifold Valley to llam and Thorpe where the rivers merge, the area being a cyclist / walkers paradise with there being no roads along the majority of the riversides.

Photos and Maps are to follow