Buxton & Bakewell Area

At Monsal Dale the valley widens, the steep sided Monsal Head provides spectacular views over the valley before the river reaches Ashford-in-the-Water, passing beneath what was a medieval packhorse bridge and then again at Bakewell where there is a 13th century bridge with five gothic arches before reaching Haddon Hall.

The old market town of Buxton nestles in the Derbyshire hills and at a height of 1,000 feet above sea level it is one of England's highest towns. Its fame as a health spa dates back to Roman times.

Bakewell has an equally ancient past being mentioned in the Doomsday Book and probably also occupied by the Romans. This beautiful, small market town is situated on the River Wye and has many pleasant walks from the bridge to the town centre where there are many shops, pubs and restaurants and one of the oldest markets in the area, dating back to 1300. The renowned Bakewell Show takes place on the first Wednesday and Thursday of August, attracting both the farming community and visitors from all over the region and beyond.

Apart from the many charming Peak District villages that can be found throughout the Wye Valley other nearby places of interest includes Chatsworth House, home of the Dukes of Devonshire and the grandest stately house in the region and Haddon Hall, a medieval manor house and home to the Dukes of Rutland situated on the River Wye.