DoneThat
Bakewell, Derbyshire Peak District, England
Bakewell is an old market town in the valley of the River Wye and it's market charter dates from 1300 or before. The first recorded fair was held in 1254 and markets are still held every Monday.
The name 'Bakewell' is probably derived from the warm springs in the area as the Domesday book entry calls the town 'Badequella', meaning Bath-well. Two of the original wells still survive - the Bath-well in Bath Street and Holywell (or Pete well) in the recreation ground.
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This view is from the churchyard looking down North Church Street towards the town centre.
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All Saints Church, Bakewell, Derbyshire.
The original Saxon church was replaced by another large church in 1110 AD. A spire and tower were added sometime around 1400 but were then demolished in 1825 and 1830 and again rebuilt about ten years later. Substantial re-building was then carried out during the 19th century including the crossing, the tower and St George's Chapel.
There are two ancient crosses within Bakewell Churchyard; one on the eastern side of the church which is either 8th or 9th century and a smaller, later shaft from the 10th or 11th century.
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The Bath Gardens, in the centre of the town, are awash with a variety of floral displays throughout the summer. There are manicured lawns and seating areas sheltered by ornamental trees providing an atmosphere of peace and tranquility in the heart of the bustling market town.
The Gardens are named after a 17th century bath-house housing the original stone bath, built over the `Warm Well', the main chalybeate well in the town, by the Duke of Rutland in 1697. The bath-house is still standing but is not open to the public, although the water from the well bubbles through an ornamental fountain and fills a large stone trough in the gardens, making an attractive water-feature.
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