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Litter Picking in Bakewell


by Gosia Giernalczyk

After several successful litter-picking events earlier in the year, Contours Holidays’ Eco Team decided to take action in nearby Bakewell this August.

The entire Peak District welcomes more than 13 million visitors each year, and Bakewell is one of the most popular destinations in the area. The heart of this historic market town is the market square, located very close to the River Wye, with plenty of birds and small bridges. It is no surprise that this undeniably charming spot becomes increasingly busy each year, particularly during the summer months.

Unfortunately, this popularity leads to a noticeable rise in litter production. Determined to help, our litter-picking team spent time collecting litter from Bakewell’s town centre and tucked-away streets.

Two members of Contours Holidays' Eco Team use litter-pickers to collect rubbish from the centre of Bakewell and deposit it in red bags.
A member of the litter-picking team leans over to pick up a cigarette butt and bin it.

Ey Up Mi Duck by the River Wye

Bakewell is certainly one of my favourite places in the Peak District. Its charm is linked to the River Wye, and you can stroll along the banks and observe ducks, swans, and geese, which you can greet with Derbyshire's quintessential phrase: “Ey up, mi duck.”

A view across the River Wye in Bakewell, with green trees in the background and a few rocks protruding from the surface.
A group of ducks gather on the river in Bakewell.

Many people visiting Bakewell have their lunches overlooking the river, and one of the most popular choices is the traditional fish and chips.

As we combed the area with our litter-picking sticks, we found a lot of the accompanying wooden cutlery scattered on the ground, reminding us that after enjoying a meal, it is important to locate the nearest rubbish bin and leave the place as clean as possible, as many other people would like to enjoy its tranquillity.

Bakewell Tart and a Cuppa

The author holds up an iced cherry bakewell, with the River Wye and a flock of geese in the background.

Bakewell is most renowned for its Bakewell tart. This dessert is made using shortcrust pastry filled with raspberry jam, and it is topped with a frangipane, which consists of butter, eggs, sugar, flour and almonds.

When you go to Bakewell, be sure to check out one of the local cafés, as there are plenty of choices.

It's strongly advised to try the famous Bakewell tart while you're there; however, if that's not possible, many shops across the country offer a range of products inspired by the Bakewell tart.

We paused by the river to savour Mister Kipling’s iced rendition.

Bath Gardens

Whenever I visit Bakewell, I make a point to visit Bath Gardens, which overlook Rutland Square. The gardens are vibrant and stunning, deserving of a visit throughout the year, particularly in the spring and summer.

We worked our way through them steadily, ensuring that no litter was concealed among the flowers or beneath the benches.

A beautiful bed of flowers has been picked clean of rubbish by Contours Holidays.
Views across Bath Gardens, with colourful beds of flowers, a large tree and freshly litter-picked lawn.

Making a Change Together

As my colleagues and I cleared litter from the busy Bakewell streets, many locals and visitors smiled and greeted us. We even earned a few thank yous!

It is always motivating to see that the local community appreciate what we’re doing, and it’s great to know that small gestures like ours can make a significant difference.

Currently, initiatives focused on environmental conservation are vital; we all have a chance to work together for a better future, safeguarding our local environment and enjoying a wonderful summer together. Contours’ Eco Team will be litter-picking again in September, and we hope to stage many more events going forward!

Five members of Contours' litter-picking crew pose beside a bin in Bakewell with their full bags of rubbish.

Gosia, Database Team Manager at Contours Holidays, stands at the seaside with a sandy beach behind her.

Gosia Giernalczyk

Database Team Manager

Organises database team work. Google Maps and research enthusiast. After work you can find her learning salsa and bachata on the dance floor, enjoying nature and architecture on a walk, or watching a movie at a small cinema with big vision.

Read more blogs by Gosia Giernalczyk



Originally published 21/08/25


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