BAKEWELL

On Monday we had some time off and took a drive to Bakewell in Derbyshire.

Bakewell is a lovely old fashioned market town situated on the river Wye. It's about a 45 minute journey by car from our bed and breakfast in Alton. The drive from The Malthouse to Bakewell is very scenic. We went via Ashbourne (another small town) and then through lots of rolling countryside to reach Bakewell. But if you're feeling adventurous you can go via Dovedale and Tissington in the Peak District National Park. This route will take longer as you will have to go slowly up and down lots of hills, cross cattlegrids, cross a ford (small stream) and avoid the sheep and cattle that roam the roads! Lots of fun though.

Monday is a great day to vist Bakewell as it's usually market day. There is an outdoor market in the town centre with lots of different stalls,plenty of bargains. The indoor cattle market is a short walk away, very interesting (but smelly!) if you have not been to one before. There are also lots of small independent shops in the town and plenty of cafe's selling the famous Bakewell Pudding or Tart.

We can highly recommend the fish and chip shops. We got fish and chips to take away for our lunch and took them next to the river where these are lots of seats (see above photo).
If you have any chips left (unlike us) the ducks love them!