To market, to market, to buy . . . .

Since the 1330, when it was decreed by Royal Charter, the town of Bakewell in the Peak District in Derbyshire has been holding a Monday market. It includes livestock sales so farmers eagerly come from far and wide all over the county to participate. Not wanting to miss seeing the action, we headed there with our friends, Jackie and Gary, Monday morning. First, however, a word about Bakewell. This town was voted the second best town in Britain in 2013 - I don't know which one was given the top honour. It is located on the Wye River about 13 miles southwest of Sheffield with a population of around 4,000. One of its claims to fame is the Bakewell pudding.

Window of the Bakewell pudding shop

Our first stop was the livestock market where, when we arrived, they were auctioning dairy cows. The process went very quickly with the farmers gathered around the pen in a small amphitheatre. The animal was brought in, the bidding started and, within less than a minute or so, the cow was sold. I think most of them were going for around £100 to £120. It was noisy and the air was "pungent".

Dairy Cow auction - Bakewell

Another cow for sale

From there, we explored the more traditional stalls offering everything from locally made cheeses (we bought some called Calverley Crunch), baked goods, meats and olives to watch straps (apparently Kath needed a new one), clothing and hardware items.

Stall at the Bakewell Market

Olives, hummus, and pickled miniature pumpkins

Once we were done with that, Gary and Jackie took us on a sightseeing tour of that part of the county with stops at Monsal Dale, the village of Foolow to see a well dressing, and for a pub lunch at The Barrel Inn. Not far from Eyam in the Hope Valley, this pub dates from 1597. Not to be missed, our last visit was a drive through the grounds of the fabulous Chatsworth House.