National Bakewell Tart Day 2024: 4 bakeries where to buy Bakewell Tart treats in Derby

National Bakewell Tart Day, where a full 24-hours is dedicated to one of Derbyshire’s most loved treats, is set to take place on Wednesday June 26, 2024.

The quirky title is well suited for a quirky region - Derbyshire is widely considered to be the birthplace of the package holiday when Thomas Cook from Melbourne came up with the idea in 1841.

To mark the occasion, a Derbyshire bakery is giving its customers a treat.

The Bakewell Tart Shop that has been baking traditional Bakewell Tarts for more than 100 years, will be giving away free Cherry Bakewell Tarts when customers walk in and spend £5 or more.

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We have important issues on our minds, which is why we have also discussed the difference between a Bakewell Tart and Bakewell Pudding.

If all this talk of pastry is making you hungry, fear not, we have rounded up places where you can enjoy Bakewell Tart treats.

The Bakewell Tart Shop is one hour away from Derby city centre, so we have included bakeries in Derby too.

Where to buy Bakewell Tart treats in and near Derby

Milk & Honey Deli, 15 Sadler Gate, DE1 3NF

Stacey’s Bakery, 59 South Street, Ilkeston DE7 5QT

Birds Bakery has several outlets in Derby city centre including Albert Street and Crown Walk. Its locations can be found here.

The Bakewell Tart Shop, 18 Matlock St, Bakewell DE45 1EE

Duncan Kirk owns The Bakewell Tart Shop, which delivers Bakewell Tarts across the UK.

He is also the man in the know - he is said to be one of only two people that know the original secret recipe.

He said: “There is something very special about Bakewell Tarts, whether it’s the iced version with a cherry on top, or the original recipe, which is topped with flaked almonds.

“Lots of people we speak to feel very nostalgic about them. The taste of the raspberry jam, ground almonds, and the frangipane mix brings back happy memories, and is something that is loved by adults and children alike.

“National Bakewell Tart Day is an opportunity to celebrate the heritage of the Bakewell Tart, and its longevity as one of Britain’s favourite baked treats.”

Bakewell Tarts - how do you eat yours?

The Bakewell Tart Shop say their survey revealed more than half of Brits have a preferred way to eat their Iced Cherry Bakewell Tarts.

Only 40 percent of the 2,000 participants said that they simply bite into them and 20 percent said that they eat the pastry first, then the icing and filling, with the cherry being saved for last.

Participants were also asked what they enjoy most about Bakewell Tarts. Almost half (48.8%) said that the almond flavoured filling was their favourite bit.

Duncan added: “Honestly, we weren’t aware that there were so many different ways to eat a Bakewell Tart. However, it appears that most Brits do seem to have their own preferred, quite specific ways to enjoy them. It has been fascinating to hear about.”

The Bakewell Tart Shop’s Bakewell Tarts are carefully crafted by skilled bakers who continue to follow the traditional and original recipe.

Interestingly, the recipe creates what is called a ‘wet mix’ which The Bakewell Tart Shop say yields a moister sponge.

Different ways to enjoy a Bakewell Tart thanks to creative bakers

Some bakers are also gently pushing creative boundaries and have put their own twist on the classic.

Stacey’s Bakery’s version is Cherry & Almond Tart.

A spokesman from the bakery said: “Traditional Bakewell Tart have raspberry jam in the base, but we use a cherry fruit filling, we feel like that goes well with the almonds.”

Birds’ Bakery’s take on the Bakewell Tart features similar ingredients to the traditional Bakewell Tart consisting of a sweet pastry case filled with frangipane and topped with fondant icing and glazed cherry.

Birds call its version Swiss Tart which is only available in bite size portions.

Another playful take on the Bakewell Tart is from Doughnotts who have taken the flavour profile of a Bakewell Tart and based a doughnut on it.

A spokesperson for Doughnotts said: “We've been selling it since 2018, and it's been a flavour that we put on the menu regularly ever since!

“It's an almond frosting, flaked almonds and a sweet cherry pie filling.

“The idea came about because we know people love classic desserts, and the Cherry Bakewell is a popular one!

“We thought it would be a great flavour because it is one that's tried and tested and something people can recognise.

“It has proved to be a popular one - we sell about 1,500 a week!

“It has also stood the test of time in our stores as we have been selling it for six years now!”