Bakewell Itineraries
Half a day or a full weekend. Here are the best ways to spend your time in Bakewell, planned step by step.
Whether you have a few hours or a full weekend to explore, these itineraries give you a local’s route through Bakewell. Each one links directly to the restaurants and activities along the way.
Half a day in Bakewell
A morning on foot that takes in the bridge, the church and the old house on the hill, and ends with the pudding. Best on a Monday, when the market is on and the livestock sales are running across the river. It suits arriving on the TransPeak from Matlock: the Matlock Street stop is a couple of minutes from the Square.
- 110.00·30 minutes
Bakewell Bridge and the riverside
Walk down Bridge Street to the five-arched bridge and along the riverside path for the view of the arches.
View Bakewell Bridge - 210.30·45 minutes
The livestock market (Mondays and Thursdays)
Cross the river to the Agricultural Business Centre. On Mondays the sales start at 9.45am and the store cattle go through at 11am; on Thursdays the sheep sale is at noon. On other days, go straight to the next step.
View Bakewell livestock market at the ABC - 311.30·1 hour
Old House Museum
Up North Church Street and Church Lane to the Tudor house, open 11am to 4pm in season (late March to early November in 2026).
View Bakewell Old House Museum - 412.30·30 minutes
All Saints' Church
Back down past the church to look at the two Anglo-Saxon crosses in the churchyard and the carved stones in the porch.
View All Saints' Church - 513.00·1 hour
Pudding with custard
Lunch upstairs at the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop on the Square, finishing with a warm pudding and custard. Then compare: Bloomers is on Water Lane and the Bakewell Tart Shop on Matlock Street.
View The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop
A full day in Bakewell and on the Monsal Trail
The town in the morning, the Monsal Trail to Headstone Viaduct in the middle of the day, and beer and supper on the way back. Hire bikes at Hassop Station or walk the whole way; on foot the trail section is about 5.4km each way from the old Bakewell station.
- 109.30·1 hour
Pudding shops and the Square
Start with coffee and a slice at the Bakewell Tart Shop on Matlock Street, then walk up to the Square and the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop to buy a pudding for later.
View The Bakewell Tart Shop & Coffee House - 210.30·20 minutes
Over the bridge to the trail
Cross Bakewell Bridge and walk up to the old Bakewell station, where the Monsal Trail heads north.
View Bakewell Bridge - 311.00·30 minutes
Bikes at Hassop Station
About 1.7km up the trail. Hire a bike for four hours (photo ID needed), or carry on walking.
View Monsal Trail Cycle Hire at Hassop Station - 411.30·2 hours 30 minutes
Headstone Tunnel and Viaduct
West past Great Longstone station, through Headstone Tunnel and out onto the viaduct over Monsal Dale. Ride on through the next tunnels if you have time, and carry a light in winter.
View The Monsal Trail - 514.30·1 hour
Back to Hassop and into town
Return the bikes at Hassop Station and walk back down the trail to Bakewell.
- 616.00·1 hour 30 minutes
Thornbridge taproom
The Thornbridge Experience runs in the brewery on Buxton Road; book ahead, and choose a weekday for a quieter session. The taproom serves beer and pizza afterwards.
View The Thornbridge Experience - 718.30·1 hour 30 minutes
Supper by the river
The Woodyard's kitchen serves until 8.30pm Monday to Thursday, 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 8pm on Sundays; book by phone.
View The Woodyard
Ready to plan your visit?
Check the weather forecast before you head out.