The Peak District: Bakewell to Hassop Circular
Growing up in the Midlands the Peak District was never far yet I hadn't recalled ever going except a gorgeous memory of camping with my aunts in the Derbyshire Dales. Then I had attended a rave in a YHA 8 years or so back but we were holed up for the weekend dancing and talking nonsense so I can’t exactly call that experiencing the Peak District.
Not knowing where to start I looked at the map and decided on Bakewell as my entry point to the Peak District and arrived on a sunny afternoon in May, 2021 on the day that restrictions were lifted on travel and pubs/cafes.
It was only when I parked the van and started my walk that I realised I had been here before. Standing by the river looking at the bridge and the ducks a strong memory came to mind and then walking past the old Bakewell station another did so I messaged my aunt Christine and she replied with a few photos showing those memories. These were times spent with my blood aunt Gloria (Christines partner) who together I had very happy memories with and as Gloria hasn’t been with us for a number of years I cherish all the times I had with her so this felt like a beautiful way to start my trip.
1988 (ish).
2021.
I hadn’t realised I’d arrived on market day and the distressed noises of the animals bothered me a bit so if this will be a consideration for you I recommend avoiding market days (Mondays). I’d looked up some walks on All Trails and settled on this one - it was easy to follow and was just the right amount of time for a teatime walk so I headed off and towards the old station where I was to join the Monsal Trail towards Hassop where I very much enjoyed the book shop and an ice cream before heading back over the fields along a lovely walled track back to Bakewell.
In terms of a town I thought Bakewell was ok. The shops didn't fare amazingly, I didn't find anything that inspired me to buy anything and the produce stores didn’t throw up anything enticing. Perhaps I missed the mark with something but it felt like usual tourist fare to me. That said, it was still a sweet town to walk through once the market was over but the star of the show was the river Wye running through and walking along it while Monty dipped in and out. Not to mention the views from the footpaths surrounding the town.
Worth mentioning is Chatsworth Estate has a strong presence here so you can factor that into your trip if you so desire. Here’s the link to the walk again.