Picturesque Derbyshire town famous for its ‘accidental’ local delicacy

The mercury may be hovering around the zero mark here in Derby, but that doesn’t stop us from planning for warmer days ahead.

With an eye firmly on spring, there are plenty of cool places to visit that make great day-trips from Derby.

One such place which is also a haven for nature lovers, keen historians and discerning foodies, is Bakewell.

According to legend, the famous Bakewell Pudding was created in the 19th century, when a local cook accidentally made a 'jam tart that went wrong'.

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The pudding endured, with inspired creations cropping up in various ‘Bakewell Tart’ iterations which saw rough puff pastry and set custard swapped for shortcrust pastry and frangipane sponge topping.

Fast forward to 2026, Bakewell Pudding continues to delight sweet-toothed fans from across the world, thanks to the innovative people at The Bakewell Pudding Shop that can post the pudding anywhere in the world.

The quaint market town is famous for its pudding has many accolades including ‘one of the most captivating places in Britain’.

Nestled in the Peak District, people can explore the heritage-rich town, enjoy a stroll down charming stone streets, take in riverside views and immerse themselves in the timeless character of the Peak District’s biggest town.

It feels like a different pace of life, depending on which day you go.

On a busy weekend you will see the hustle and bustle of the market town in action.

Mid-week is the perfect time to take in honey hued stone buildings and stand in the presence of an intriguing medieval five-arched stone bridge.

The rankings, released by The Daily Express, rate Bakewell as one of the 11 most captivating small towns in Britain.

The report said: ‘Bakewell is best known for the eponymous desserts that originated from it, but is also cherished for its captivating historic centre and scenic location in the heart of the Peak District. The town’s riverside setting, with postcard-worthy bridges and walking paths, is perfect for autumnal strolls and spontaneous photo shoots.’

Here are a selection of photos of Bakewell.