If you are exploring the Peak District, then the cute village of Bakewell and the stunning stately home of Chatsworth House should be at the top of your list! I visited in Autumn and the gardens of Chatsworth were just spectacular!
Whilst you can get a bus from Bakewell village, the walk to Chatsworth was just as pretty as the place itself so I would thoroughly recommend! You will walk through woodlands, fields, and a pretty village!
I would recommend getting to Bakewell early in the morning, to give yourself time to explore the village before the walk. It took me well over an hour to do this walk, maybe even 2 hours, I forgot to track time- oops! I did get a little lost in places though!
Remember that Chatsworth House can take a while to look around, even if only visiting the gardens so allow a minimum of 2.5 hours here, 3 hours even better so you are not rushing! Also, a little tip, pick yourself a Bakewell pudding up from one of the bakeries in Bakewell. It makes a great snack for your walk!
Bakewell village is the home to the Bakewell pudding, a delicious English dessert which was apparently made by accident when a chef mixed up two recipes together! The Bakewell tart came after, both are delicious!
Let’s start the Bakewell to Chatsworth House Walk…
Turning right from the Bakewell visitor centre, along Bridge Street, cross over the small Bakewell bridge and turn right onto Station Road. This will go upwards and then bend around to the left. After a while keep to the right as the road forks a bit, and then shortly after there is a small footpath veering off the road, on your right (into the trees). I missed this, so keep an eye out! If you do miss it, then just cross over the golf course on the right and you will see a path leading into the woods.
The woodland path goes up a hill and at the time there were several little streams running down too. This is a lovely section of the walk. Keep going up this path to the top and you will come out at a small road.
To your right, you will see a stile which leads to some fields (there is no signpost). Go over this and walk straight along the path, with views of the fields and hills to your right. Please note that this field is full of sheep shit further ahead, so bring along some hiking boots or something you don’t mind getting a little dirty!
After a while you will see a small pond towards the right-hand side. There is a gate you will need to walk through on the right-hand side of the pond. After the pond, take another gate to the left and follow the grassy path gradually downhill.
You will eventually see a small barn and a pretty house just after (this is called the Russian cottage). Follow the path you are on to the left, in front of the barn and house, and go through the wide gate. This leads downhill on a rocky path, which leads to another gate/ wall.
Climb the steps over the wall and take in the views over to Chatsworth House (you may not able to see it behind the trees). Here is a great place to stop for a snack and take in the views.
From here walk downward through the middle of the trees and grass land and towards the church tower of Edensor (it will come into view). Chatsworth House from a distance should come into view but walk towards the left of the field and slightly away from the house.
In the lower-left corner of the field, you will see some houses along a stone wall, and a small iron gate. This is kind of hidden so keep an eye out.
Go through the gate and you will come out at the pretty village of Edensor. Turn right, going down through the village (it’s quite small), and then straight on out through the gates and over the road.
Once over the road, you will see a sign for Chatsworth House, just continue along the path straight on and the house will come into view. And you have made it!
Take a well-earned coffee break before heading to the house or gardens for more exploring! The house won’t take too long to walk around, depending on how long you spend in each room, I slowly walked through and was about half an hour, but didn’t really spend too long in each room.
The gardens you can spend several hours in, so allow at least 2-3 for this as you will want to wander around without rushing!
I took the bus back to Bakewell, the bus stop is right outside Chatsworth House and the last bus was at 5pm which was when the house closed, so worked out pretty well. Also, the bus ride was the most scenic bus I’ve taken in the UK!
I hope you enjoyed this post, for more on the Peak District you may like:
