Bakewell - Home of Exceedingly Good Tarts
Bakewell in the Peak District of Derbyshire is home to around 4000 people. Though best known for its famed tart - the town's rich heritage goes back to Saxon times when it was known as Baedeca's Well and, later, Bathwell, due to the many springs in the area.
The town stands on the banks of the River Wye and boasts a 14th century five arch stone bridge over the river.
The parish church - a Grade One listed building - was founded in 920 and the cross in the churchyard is mentioned in the Domesday Book. In the 10th century King Edward the Elder built a fort there and it was really this that put Bakewell on the map.
In 1254 Bakewell was granted a charter to hold a weekly market and an annual fair and these still take place today. When a chalybeate spring was discovered in 1697 the Duke of Rutland decided to develop Bakewell as a spa town to rival nearby Buxton but having built the bathhouse it struggled to attract visitors. The main reason for this was that the waters of Buxton were warmer - a big consideration!
Bakewell is home to many fine old buildings, including the Old House Museum dating from 1534 which has an interesting collection of carved stones and other artefacts.
One of the town's famous sons was the geologist White Watson who also acted as a bath superintendent and was a sculptor, carver and stonemason specialising in the local black marble. This often contains many fossils.
Another famous son was Ivor Gratton Guiness who was a 20th Century historian of mathematics and logic.
In 1779 Bakewell had a riot. Men were being chosen by the drawing of lots to serve in the militia and there was strong feelings that more than their fair share were being selected. Looting started by the demonstators was put down firmly by the soldiers and six men were sent to prison.
However, this unsavoury incident is ancient history and is easily eclipsed by Bakewell's current claim to fame.
In the 1830s Bakewell puddings became popular but in the 1860s a cook at the local hostelry inadvertently poured the pastry mix over the jam instead of the other way round! And thus was born the famous Bakewell Tart.
Further Reading
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