John Merrill
– 4 MILES
– allow 1 1/2 hours
Basic route – Bakewell – Holme Hall – Monsal Trail – Bakewell Station – Station road – Bakewell
Car parks and start – Several public car parks in central Bakewell. Bakewell Station.
Map – 1:25,000 Explorer Series Map No. OL24 – The White Peak – East sheet.
Inns – Numerous in Bakewell including – The Castle Inn, The Peacock, The Red Lion, The Queens Arms etc.
ABOUT THE WALK – Bakewell is the central hub of the Peak District and an admirable starting point for walks. This short circular walk takes you through some very pleasant walking country and woodland to the north of the town. As you return to Bakewell you have rewarding views of the town.
WALKING INSTRUCTIONS РThe walk starts from the Rutland Arms Hotel in the centre of Bakewell, built in 1804 on the site of the White Horse Inn. It was in this hotel in 1859 that the cook made a mistake and created the first Bakewell Pudding. From the hotel follow the A6 road towards Buxton. After 1/4 mile near the 40 m.p.h. sign turn right and cross the packhorse bridge over the River Wye. Known as Holme Bridge, it was built in 1664. Keep straight ahead once across the bridge, and begin walking up the rough track on the immediate right-hand side of Holme Hall, a Tudor building erected in 1626. The track swings left before ascending steeply to a gate with a stile on the right. Continue climbing up a grass field along the line of a track to the field̥s northern end. Here is a gate and stile on the right. Keep straight ahead and for the next 3/4 mile you walk along a gated and walled lane. In the central section there is no wall on your left. After 3/4 mile you reach the Monsal Trail. Turn right and follow the trail to Bakewell Station, a little over a mile away. Leave the trail at the station and gain Station Road. Turn right and descend this road to the 13th Century five arched bridge over the River Wye. Over this you are back in central Bakewell ready for a cup of tea and a Bakewell Pudding!