Nestled in the heart of the Peak District National Park, the picturesque market town of Bakewell is famous for its charming streets, beautiful countryside and, of course, its namesake dessert.
But before you start thinking of the familiar iced Bakewell tart, there’s another local delicacy you need to know about - the original Bakewell pudding.
And its story begins with a kitchen mishap.
Legend has it that around 1860, a cook at a local inn called The White Horse was preparing a strawberry tart for some visiting noblemen. Following a misunderstanding with the inn’s mistress, Mrs Greaves, the cook spread an egg mixture over the jam rather than mixing it into the pastry.
The result was an unexpected triumph. The combination of buttery pastry, sweet strawberry jam and a rich, almond-infused custard created a delicious new pudding that would become a Derbyshire favourite.
Word of the creation reached Mrs Wilson, who recognised its potential and acquired the original recipe to begin selling the puddings herself. More than 160 years later, that happy accident remains at the heart of Bakewell’s culinary heritage.
The Old Original Bakewell Pudding ShopYou can pick up both Bakewell puddings and Bakewell tarts hereBut make sure you know the difference...
Today, you can discover the story for yourself at The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, right in the town centre. Housed in a historic 17th-century building, the shop has been selling its famous puddings from the same premises since 1860.
Step inside and you’ll find a treasure trove of handmade treats, from traditional Bakewell puddings and iced tarts to fresh bread, cakes and savoury pastries. There are also gifts and local specialities to browse, making it a perfect stop for a little edible souvenir.
There's also a traditional restaurant upstairs, where you can enjoy a hearty meal, afternoon tea or a freshly served Bakewell pudding with custard or cream, plus a 'Post a Pudding' service, so you can send a taste of the Peak District to friends and family further afield.
Despite often being confused, Bakewell pudding and Bakewell tart are quite different. The original pudding features flaky puff pastry, strawberry jam and a soft-set almond custard, while the later tart uses shortcrust pastry and a sponge-like frangipane filling, often finished with icing and a cherry.
So, next time you’re exploring the Peak District, make a beeline for Bakewell. Whether you enjoy yours warm with custard or take one home to share, tasting this legendary pudding is a delicious way to experience a little piece of local history.
A Pulp pop-up pub is heading to Sheffield later this month, following unbelievable success over in Manchester.
The Sheffield icons will be taking charge of beloved local boozer and grassroots gig venue The Hallamshire Hotel.
The news was announced this afternoon by Rough Trade Records, along with Pulp themselves.
While they're keeping the exact details under wraps for now, we've got a pretty good idea of what we might be able to expect, based on their pop-up pub in Manchester in August.
There, there was a jukebox programmed by Jarvis Cocker himself, along with merch literally plastered on every wall and even the ceilings.
The previous Pulp pop-up pub had loads of merch for sale, from tees and totes to records and stickers.
The walls were turned into a shrine for the band, showcasing posters and photography from throughout their illustrious career.
And the crowds came through in a big way, queueing halfway down the street for a chance to be totally immersed in all things Pulp.
So much so, The Rat & Pigeon (who hosted the Manchester edition) have warned on social media: "Note to @hallamshire_hotel - you WILL be 10x busier than you expect - even if it’s pissing it down. Enjoy!"
For their Sheffield pop-up, all we know for sure is the location (The Hallamshire Hotel) and the date (30 October).
Crookes in Sheffield has been named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK
Clementine Hall
A Sheffield neighbourhood has been crowned one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the UK by Time Out Magazine.
Every year we wait with bated breath to see which UK neighbourhoods make the cut of Time Out's annual list of the world's coolest neighbourhoods.
But, the UK is just so damn cool that they've made us a list of our own.
In their recent guide of '11 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the UK', they set out to decipher the very best places to live in the country that are flourishing with new openings, community spirit and simply oozing 'coolness'.
Images: The Sheff
And a Sheffield neighbourhood made it onto the list - obviously.
Crookes is infact the only Yorkshire neighbourhood to get a shoutout, and to be honest we're hardly surprised.
We love it for its fantastic foodie offering, bustling independent scene and great people - but let's see what Time Out had to say.
Daniel Wray, contributing writer for Time Out said: "Once considered purely a place for students, Crookes has undergone a shift in its development and demographic in recent years, quietly and subtly morphing into a wonderfully self-contained neighbourhood that is now a go-to food and drink hotspot.
"Much like Sheffield, this little suburb is not flashy or fussy – it’s an under-the-radar residential area – but it packs a lot of punch for its size."
Images: The Sheff
He then goes on to describe his perfect day out in Sheffield, highlighting spots like Crumb, Pom, Tanaya Wines and Crookes Social Club.
He finishes by suggesting: "Crookes is excellent year-round, but perhaps try a June visit during Sheffield Wine Week when Bole Hills is home to a buzzy outdoor wine festival."
Daniel, we really couldn't agree more.
You can read the full list of the UK's coolest neighbourhoods here.