A charming little market town that retains a lovely rural atmosphere and offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and pubs, as well as farmers’ markets. Downtown, there is a historic 17th-century market hall and a contemporary recreation complex with an indoor swimming pool.
In the Peak District National Park, Bakewell is an excellent starting point for exploring the area. Alton Towers, Britain’s most popular theme park, is only a short drive away from the rugged Dark Peak and the softer limestone White Peak. To name just a few, a trip to the nearby Castleton caverns or Little John’s burial site in Hathersage is a must, as are many of the stately homes, such as Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, and Hardwick Hall. Visit the Edwardian Opera House in Buxton, which was designed by Frank Matcham, the same architect who worked on the London Palladium.
