Bakewell is held at the beginning of July. Rugby union is played regularly in the town by Bakewell Mannerians RUFC, who currently compete in Midlands 2 East (North). The town is represented by two football teams, Bakewell Red Lion FC and Bakewell Town FC; both compete in the Hope Valley Football League. Bakewell has a large recreation park to the east of the town centre, which has tennis courts, children's playground, and football/cricket pitches. In the town itself, and located near to the library, is the municipal swimming pool and gym. Alongside the River Wye is a popular riverside walk. Bakewell
Bakewell means a spring or stream of a man named Badeca (or Beadeca) and derives from this personal name plus the Old English "wella". In 949 it was "Badecanwelle" and in the 11th century Domesday Book it was "Badequelle". Bakewell Parish Church, a Grade I listed building, was founded in 920 and has a 9th-century cross in the churchyard. The present church was constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries but was virtually rebuilt in the 1840s by William Flockton. By Norman times Bakewell had gained some importance: the town and its church (having two priests) being mentioned in the Domesday