River Wye walk & outdoor play / BAKEWELL

Bakewell riverside and Recreation Ground

Follow a short town stretch beside the River Wye, looking for birds and fish before continuing towards the Recreation Ground if you want more space. Bridges, riverside buildings and the grassy bend of the river give a different view from Bakewell’s busy shopping streets. An out-and-back keeps the distance easy to control.

Stone arches of Bakewell Bridge over the River Wye with autumn trees beside the water — Photo: Colin Cheesman

Before you go

Use the National Park’s route information but choose a short section if that suits you. Its full two-mile family circuit also crosses a field and is intended for all-terrain buggies, not every pushchair.

The practical details

Where to find it: Bakewell Bridge, riverside path and Rutland Recreation Ground, Bakewell
Directions and arrival information ↗
Tickets and booking: The public walk is free; town parking, food and organised activities cost separately. A full National Park family circuit is about two miles, with an advertised hour of walking before stops. Rivers can rise and banks become muddy or eroded: avoid flooded paths and respect local closures.
Access and getting around: Central parts have surfaced paths, but the complete family route includes field ground, a narrow riverside section and busy-road crossings. Check the part you plan to use and follow current signs, particularly after rain. Do not assume the full circuit is step-free because the town section is paved.
Official access information ↗
Visiting with children: Keep children close beside open water and use the Recreation Ground for a play or picnic break. Watch ducks and geese without feeding them, as the National Park requests. Turn back before the return walk becomes tiring.

Practical information checked 15 September 2026. Confirm anything essential to your visit with the venue.

Make it part of your day

Allow 30–75 minutes for the visit, plus travel and breaks. This is a suggested planning allowance; opening times, access and availability may affect your plans.

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