Bakewell and Beyond: Peak District Food & Puddings
Bakewell is the Peak District’s food capital – a charming market town that gave the world the famous Bakewell Pudding (not to be confused with Bakewell Tart). Surrounded by some of England’s most beautiful countryside, with independent food producers, traditional pubs, and a culinary heritage that stretches back centuries, Bakewell offers a food experience that’s genuinely Peak District through and through. Whether you’re here for the puddings, the local produce, or just a good meal after a day on the hills, Bakewell delivers.
The Famous Pudding
Bakewell Pudding vs Bakewell Tart
This is the first thing to understand: Bakewell Pudding is the real thing – a baked dessert with puff pastry, jam, almond paste, and eggs. It’s distinctive, traditional, and unlike anything else.
Bakewell Tart is the commercialised version – shortcrust pastry with sponge, jam, and icing. Tasty enough, but not the authentic Bakewell experience.
If you only try one, make it the pudding.
The Legend
The pudding was supposedly invented by mistake in 1820 when a cook at the Rutland Arms was meant to make a jam tart but instead put the almond paste in the wrong place. The result was so good that it became a local speciality. Whether the story’s true doesn’t matter – the pudding exists and it’s delicious.
What It Tastes Like
Proper Bakewell Pudding has:
- Crisp, flaky puff pastry
- A layer of jam (traditionally raspberry)
- Almond paste that’s not too sweet
- A custard-like filling
- Texture that’s crisp, chewy, and rich all at once
Where to Get the Real Thing
The Rutland Arms
The pudding’s birthplace (according to legend). Still serving it today in an atmospheric Georgian building. Sit in the courtyard on a nice day, order a pudding with tea, and soak up the history.
Address: Rutland Square, Bakewell, DE45 1BL
Practical: Can get busy, especially weekends. Arrive early or book ahead.
The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop
Established 1861, claiming to be the original (they all do). The puddings here are excellent – proper puff pastry, generous almond filling, and that distinctive Bakewell taste.
Address: 2 Bridge Street, Bakewell, DE45 1DR
What makes it special: They’re still making puddings using traditional methods, and they’ve been at it for over 150 years.
Other Pudding Purveyors
The Bakewell Pudding Shop (Market Street) – Another traditional maker with excellent reputation.
Various cafés – Most cafés in Bakewell serve puddings, some better than others. Ask locally for current favourites.
Taking Puddings Home
All the main shops sell puddings to take away. They keep for a few days (keep refrigerated) and make excellent souvenirs. Some even ship nationwide.
Beyond the Pudding: Bakewell Food Scene
Local Produce
Bakewell is in prime farming country, and the town’s food scene reflects this:
Peak District cheese – Look for Peakland Blue and other local cheeses in delis and farm shops.
Local meat – Beef, lamb, and pork from Peak District farms. The butcher shops know their provenance.
Seasonal produce – Asparagus in spring, berries in summer, game in autumn.
Market Day
Bakewell has held a market since the 13th century. Today, it’s held on Mondays (all year) and Saturdays (also all year). It’s a proper country market:
What you’ll find: Local producers selling meat, cheese, bread, and vegetables. Crafts, plants, and other goods.
Why visit: This is the real country market experience – local farmers selling direct to customers. Buy lunch supplies and eat by the river.
The Independent Cafés and Tea Rooms
Bakewell has excellent independent options:
The Pump Room (Coombe Road) – Historic building with a café and proper Peak District atmosphere.
Various tea rooms – Bakewell takes afternoon tea seriously. Look for places using local ingredients and proper baking.
The Pubs
Bakewell’s pubs serve excellent Peak District food:
The Manners Arms (Church Street) – Traditional pub with good food and local ales.
The Wheatsheaf (Bridge Street) – Overlooking the river, good for summer drinking.
The Peacock (Market Place) – Historic pub with characterful interior and good food.
Walking Off the Pudding
Bakewell and Monsal Trail
The Monsal Trail is a converted railway line running through beautiful Peak District scenery. The section from Bakewell to Hassop (about 3 miles one way) is relatively flat and easy walking.
Why walk it: Burn off the pudding calories with beautiful riverside and valley views. The trail passes through tunnels and viaducts that are spectacular.
Practical: The trail is suitable for walking, cycling, and even wheelchairs in some sections.
Chatsworth House
While technically in a different town, Chatsworth House is only a few miles away and worth combining with a Bakewell visit. The house, gardens, and farm shop (excellent food) make a full day.
Monsal Dale
Walk from Bakewell into Monsal Dale for spectacular valley scenery. About 2 miles one way, with moderate ascent. The viaduct viewpoint is particularly photogenic.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
By car: Easy access via A6 from Bakewell (road has same name as town – confusing but it works). Parking in Bakewell can be tight – arrive early or use satellite car parks.
By train: Bakewell doesn’t have a station. Nearest is Matlock (about 5 miles), from where buses connect to Bakewell.
By bus: Regular services from surrounding towns including Matlock, Chesterfield, and Buxton.
Best Time
Weekdays: Less crowded, easier parking, more relaxed atmosphere.
Saturdays: Busier market day but more atmosphere.
Summer: Peak season – busy but weather’s good for exploring the Peak District.
Winter: Quieter, cosy pubs, atmospheric tea rooms.
Duration
Quick visit: 2-3 hours (pudding, walk around town, maybe a short trail walk)
Full day: Pudding, market, Monsal Trail walk, pub lunch
Peak District base: Bakewell makes an excellent base for exploring the wider Peak District
Beyond Bakewell: Other Peak District Food
Chatsworth Farm Shop
One of England’s finest farm shops, with local meat, cheese, bread, and vegetables. If you’re visiting Chatsworth House, the farm shop is unmissable.
The Pubs of the Peaks
Peak District pubs are legendary – places like The George (Hathersage), The Robin Hood (Bamford), and many more serve excellent local food and real ale.
Local Specialities
Hartington Stilton – Not in Bakewell itself but the Peak District is home to some of England’s finest Stilton cheese.
Peak District honey – Local beekeepers produce excellent honey from moorland flowers.
Game – Grouse, pheasant, and other game from the Peaks appears on local menus in season.
The Bakewell Experience
What makes Bakewell special is the combination of great food, beautiful countryside, and the fact that it’s a real working town, not just a tourist destination. The market has run continuously since the 13th century. The puddings are made using traditional methods. The cafés and pubs serve food that reflects the surrounding landscape.
This authenticity matters. You’re not just eating a Bakewell Pudding – you’re experiencing a culinary tradition that’s part of the Peak District’s identity. Walking the hills, eating the pudding, drinking the local ale – it’s all connected.
Final Tips
Try the pudding, not the tart – The pudding is the real Bakewell experience.
Go on market day – The atmosphere is better and you can buy local produce.
Walk off the calories – The Peak District offers spectacular walking just minutes from town.
Visit local producers – Peak District food is about more than just the pudding.
Take your time – Bakewell is about atmosphere as much as eating. Sit by the river, watch the market, soak it up.
Bakewell isn’t just a pudding destination – it’s a Peak District food experience that connects eating with landscape, tradition with innovation, and visitors with a living culinary heritage. Come for the pudding, stay for the atmosphere, and leave understanding why this small town has fed the Peaks for centuries.