Bakewell guidebook

It's called the Capital of the Peaks - and you certainly need lots of capital to live here!

Houses in Bakewell don't come cheap...but a wander through this scenic stone-built town shows why this quaint little place is so popular with house buyers, and stars in so many calendars.

Set in an enviable location on the banks of the Wye, with the river meandering gently through the centre, it's a beautiful old market town in the heart of the Peak District, surrounded by stunning countryside views.

Steeped in hundreds of years of history, it's a town of just under 4,000 residents - but that figure rockets in the summer as the day trippers pour in.

Visitors flock to shop and explore its many nooks and crannies, to admire the fine stone Derbyshire buildings, or just to relax in the quaint old pubs and feed the ducks by the clear, sparkling waters of the River Wye.

Because it's the Peak District's only market town, it gets extra crazy every Monday on a bustling market day, combined with the three livestock markets every week.

Bakewell's Beginnings

Bakewell grew up around twelve mineral water springs.

Only one still delivers the warm, supposed-to-be-healing waters but the locals continue to hold a ceremony every June to thank the waters that put the town on the olde world map (and to attract tourists!).

Now it's better known for TV's 'Peak Practice' which was set around the town, and for Jane Eyre's 'Pride and Prejudice' which local rumour says she wrote while staying in the town's Rutland Arms Hotel.

True or not, everyone agrees she based the book's Lambton on Bakewell, and Pemberley on nearby Chatsworth House.

Of course, the town is probably best known for its Bakewell Pudding (not tart).

Three bakeries sell the world famous pudding, and each claims to have the original, secret recipe. During the summer season, more than 12,000 puddings are consumed each week, so that gives you an idea of how many tourists turn up.

According to legend, the Pudding was born when an apprentice cook at the Rutland Arms made a hash of a strawberry tart, so he's the one to blame if you can't park in the summer or you're jostling for space to eat your chips by the river!

So to sum up: Bakewell is a stunning place to live if you can afford it and you don't mind sharing with tourists re-treading the steps of their favourite television programme.

One thing is certain...it's a town that will never lose its charm and appeal. And, as television says, it has three major things going for it: "Location, location, location".

Property in Bakewell

Houses prices have been so expensive that it's become a retreat of the rich and retired; not good news for people who have to move into the town for work or for buy-to-let investors.

But there are bits of affordable housing springing up, especially on the Castle Hill estate on the Baslow Road out of town where about 100 reasonably priced houses have been built, attracting young people back to the town.

Despite its premium prices, Bakewell is still attractive to families with children because of the high quality schools here, and its jaw dropping scenery.

There's not much to rent, apart from town centre flats which are mostly above shops, so it's not been great for investors. 

However, when a row of new flats was built at the Crescent overlooking the river, most were snapped up by buy-to-let landlords.

Areas In and Around Bakewell

1. The Town Centre

  pic: Stone terraces
Where is it? The area spread around Rutland Square and the Rutland Arms, around Market Street and Granby Street.

What's there? Aside from lots of shops, there are large, stone-built terraced houses, some with up to five bedrooms, lots of flats, and some semis and detacheds.

Many of the houses have high garden walls to stop tourists nosing, and lounges built on the first floor to take advantage of the views.  All are privately owned.

Buyers: Young professionals who like being in the centre of things, and families who want to be close to the schools.

Pros: Stunning properties, all close to the amenities. Most homes have parking spaces.

There's a particularly beautiful row of semis and cottages at the Riverside, next to the recreation ground.

Cons: You need to like day trippers and the hubbub of a busy market town.

2. Lakeside

  pic: Semis, Lakeside
Where is it? The streets and roads running off the main A6 Buxton Road out of town.

What's there?  A mixture of large pre-war properties, and twenty five year old semis and detached houses.

Buyers: Professional families and countryside lovers.

Pros: Stunning area with fabulous views. Spacious houses in pleasant tree-lined streets.

Cons: Pricey area, and it's quite a way out of town so a car is a must unless you like walking.

3. Castle Hill

  pic: Link detached houses, Castle Hill
Where is it? The area across the river bridge on the Baslow A619 as it goes out of town. Most of the street names begin with Castle.

What's there? Mostly link detached houses and bungalows.

Buyers: Mainly families, and retired people who want a peaceful life.

Pros: Stunning views. Quiet living away from the tourists, yet still close enough to town.

Cons: This area is next to the town's industrial estate in Station Road which is only good if you work there.

Front gardens are communal, so not great if you want your own cabbage patch.

4. Moor Hall Estate

  pic: Bungalows, Moor Hall Estate
Where is it? Just below Lady Manners School off Upper Yeld Road.

What's there? Mostly a post-war council estate, with some older stone-built terraced houses, and a welcome addition of new, affordable starter homes for younger families.

Buyers: Young people who want to live in the town at affordable prices, and long-term residents.

Pros: Reasonable prices in Bakewell terms.  It's close to both the Lady Manners comprehensive and the junior school. Sought-after because of its price and location.

Cons:  No facilities, not even a pub or club. So it's either a fairly brisk walk into town or a drive.

5. Wye Dale

  pic: Semis, Wye Dale
Where is it? The streets on either side of the A6, or Haddon Road as the locals call it, as you drive into the town from Derby and Haddon Hall, with Wye Bank on the river side of the road, and Woodside Close and Park View on the other.

What's there? Mostly good sized detacheds and semis, and several streets of old people's bungalows.

Some are built on the hills overlooking the river and recreation ground but most of them are on the level.

Buyers: Mostly retired people who don't mind a little walk into town.

Pros: Close to the recreation ground and the river. Plenty of opportunities for scenic walks. Pretty houses.

Cons: Very expensive area because of its views and its quiet location just outside of town. It's also set on the Derby side of town which is good for commuters.

Living Here

Transport:

Trains: Nearest main line stations are in Sheffield or Derby.

Buses: Excellent bus services through the town. No bus station, but buses every half hour to Derby, Sheffield, Chesterfield and neighbouring towns.

A community transport group offers door-to-door services for those who need it.

Road: Bakewell is set on the main A6 so it's good for commuters.

Air: East Midlands International Airport (EMA) is about 30 miles away.

Shopping:

There is one supermarket, and a good shopping centre for everyday needs through to the more unusual.

Bakewell also has stacks of tiny little shops selling everything from nick-nacks to mountain climbing gear, and several really good books shops

One of the most popular markets in the area, with more than 100 stalls, is held on Mondays. 

Eating and Drinking:

A great choice, from pubs to high class restaurants, including an award winning chippie and three shops all claiming to be the home of the genuine Bakewell Pudding.

Most pubs sell food, and at last count there were just over 30 places to eat.

Sport:

Bakewell has facilities for several sports including croquet, football, cricket, tennis, badminton, and fencing.

There is also Bakewell Rugby Club who are known as the 'Manneraians".

Entertainment and Leisure:

Nearest cinemas and theatres are in Derby and Nottingham.

Locally, there are various groups to get involved in, such as the Peacock Players amateur dramatics, a Choral Society, folk singing - and a weekly heavy metal group at the Town Hall.

Parks and Open Spaces:

The town's Big Riverside Recreation Grounds have a cricket ground, sports courts and a paddling pool, and Bakewell is surrounded by the glorious Peak District.