Bakewell - Bath Gardens & Riverside

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt through Bakewell’s town centre, riverside paths, gardens and back lanes, with explorers following pavements, footpaths and waterside routes as they track down Lady Treacle Tart’s long-lost jewels.

The route follows mostly good paths and pavements, but includes riverside sections that can flood and become muddy and there are some steep hills with a couple of short flights of steep steps encountered around Clues 09 to 12, which means that this Trail is unsuitable for adventurers on wheels.

⚠️ Important: You will be travelling along roads, narrow lanes and riverside paths close to open water, so explorers should stay alert at all times, use crossings where available and keep younger adventurers under close supervision.

Getting There

Time to gather your explorers and begin the quest:

By car: Bakewell Bridge Car Park (DE45 1BU) is your main starting point, with additional parking available at nearby Smith’s Island. 

⚠️ Note: Parking can be busy on market days (Monday and Saturday), so allow extra time to find a space.

By public transport: Bakewell is served by local bus routes, with stops close to the town centre and start point.

Your quest begins at Bakewell Bridge car park just off Coombes Road (DE45 1BU) - so step into position and start scanning for your first clue straight away.

Need the Loo?

Even the most intrepid explorers need a quick pit stop!

Toilets can be found near Granby Street Car Park between Clues 18 and 19, so it’s worth planning ahead as facilities are not evenly spread along the route.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Please Note: Some of the clues along this Trail route are set in an area of restricted access for dogs.

With a mix of town streets, riverside paths and green spaces, it’s otherwise a great outing for dogs - just make sure someone can stay with them outside these restricted areas and keep leads handy near roads, water and busier areas.

Food & Drink Stops

Treasure hunting is hungry work!

You’ll find plenty of opportunities throughout the town to grab refreshments, with Bakewell being famous for its pies, puddings and tarts - perfect for keeping energy levels high.

There are also some lovely picnic spots along the riverside and in the gardens, ideal for a scenic mid-quest break.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Riverside Wandering and Scenic Views

The River Wye runs through the heart of your quest, offering peaceful waterside stretches and classic Derbyshire scenery.

Historic Streets and Hidden Corners

Bakewell’s back lanes and historic buildings provide plenty of character - and plenty of places where a treasure map might have been mislaid…

Pudding, Tart… or Both?

No visit is complete without sampling the local debate - Bakewell pudding or Bakewell tart? You may need to try both to reach a final verdict…