BAKEWELL RAMBLER: Bakewell, Edensor & Chatsworth Circular 17/03/2025

Walk: Bakewell, Edensor & Chatsworth Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 8.4km 
Elevation: 349m
Approximate Completion Time:  2 hours 42 minutes
Rambler Rating: 4.5 stars
 
This is a beautiful circular trail exploring the area around Bakewell, before taking you to the  village of Edensor and then Chatsworth Park. 
 
Your walk today will start in Bakewell at Bakewell Bridge with a chance to see the Motte & Bailey Castle before you wander past Bakewell Station. 
 
You’ll cross the Monsal Trail, a multi-use path for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, following the former Midland Railway line, which opened in 1981, and continue uphill through the woodland. Head over the hill and across the grassland down to Edensor. From here, you could detour to explore more of Chatsworth Park and the Chatsworth estate across the Derwent, a stately home that was built in 1549 by Sir William Cavendish. It’s currently owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. 
 
From Edensor, head across the parkland and begin making your way back to Bakewell, where you’ll find many picturesque courtyards, lovely shops to wander about, and cafes to stop for some refreshments. Bakewell has one of the oldest markets in the area, which is still held  every Monday. 
You could also visit the Old House Museum near the church, which is one of the oldest buildings in Bakewell, dating back to 1543. 
 
There are several gates and stiles to negotiate along this trail.  Dogs should be kept on leads at all times at Chatsworth Estate, and you’re likely to encounter livestock (particularly cows) along the way.