The best farm stays near Bakewell

If you’re planning a holiday in the Peak District, Bakewell is a great place to consider as a base. As the only town in the national park, it’s a hub of independent shops and eateries where you can stock up on camping supplies and refuel with a sticky Bakewell pudding. But just because it’s the busiest part of the Peak District, doesn’t mean it’s any less picturesque. Situated on the banks of the River Wye, its stone buildings, medieval arched bridge, and weekly market will have you reaching for the camera. Campsites in Bakewell and the surrounding countryside also put you within easy reach of one of the Peak District’s most-visited attractions, Chatsworth House, seat of the Duke of Devonshire. Of course, the best attraction of all is the stunning countryside that surrounds nearly all campsites. Campers can find lots of great places to stay, from simple stone-walled meadow camping sites to modern, luxury glamping sites.

• Bakewell itself has a Monday market, a small museum, and pleasant walking by the River Wye. It’s almost gone without saying that during any Bakewell camping holiday, you really ought to make a trip to the local bakery to try the town’s most famous export, its self-named pudding.
• With its magnificent house, gardens, and farm, the Chatsworth Estate is within five miles of Bakewell. Medieval Haddon Hall is even closer and open to the public in summer.
• Exploring the Peak District beyond the town is easy with almost unlimited opportunities for walking and cycling on open-access land and footpaths. The Monsal Trail, a former railway line, offers a family-friendly and traffic-free route for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders.
• Farther afield, head south for riverside walks from Dovedale or north to climb up Mam Tor and Stanage Edge.
• Explore pretty villages in the Hope Valley, then head underground into caves and caverns to explore the area’s geology from beneath the peaks.
• A 10-minute walk from Bakewell takes you to the Thornbridge Brewery’s taproom and brewery tours.