Bakewell

Famous pudding aside, this Peak District market town has proper character that goes well beyond its sweet reputation. Stone cottages line streets that haven't changed much since Georgian times, while the River Wye meanders past creating those cracking views from Bakewell Bridge that every visitor ends up photographing.

Bakewell Old House Museum tells the real story - this was a proper trading hub long before the tart made it famous. The original castle ruins on Castle Hill give you the lay of the land, though honestly it's more about the walk up than what's left at the top. Down by the river, that Old Mill Wheel still turns, a reminder of when this place actually made things rather than just selling cake to tourists.

Mondays are brilliant here. The market fills the town centre with proper local produce while most day-trippers stay away. Midweek, you can actually park without a three-point turn masterclass, and the galleries like Whitehorse Gallery and Treeline Gallery are worth a browse when you're not fighting crowds.

Getting here couldn't be simpler - the A6 runs right through town, and you're only twenty minutes from both Matlock and Buxton. The surrounding countryside is what makes staying nearby such a smart move. Those holiday parks and campsites scattered around give you a base for exploring the whole southern Peak District without fighting for accommodation in town.

Walking the Monsal Trail starts practically on Bakewell's doorstep, while Chatsworth House is close enough for an easy day trip. The real joy though is having somewhere quiet to retreat to after sampling one too many of those famous puddings.