The Bakewell Tart Shop and Coffee House

I love Bakewell tarts… erm…puddings…erm…tarts? Oh jeez, I don’t know when/​where to use the proper lingo, but I do know that if it’s on a plate I’m eating it (how’s that for a promise?).
So, The Bakewell Tart Shop and Coffee House is offish. In fact, purported to be *the* birthplace of the whole shebang. One one of the main arteries of Matlock (a picturesque place in and of itself) the shop offers many items beyond the bakewell tart. That said, I did not sample anything beyond their eponymous creation. And, yes, it was… BAKED WELL (you were waiting for that, right?).
In the summer months (I just returned, it was August) the area is teeming with tourists (I was one of them) so it’s a little tight in the shop. Don’t fret; the line moves quickly. For people who want to grab-​n-​go there is a nice stack of various bakewell options (iced or not iced; «pudding» or «tart»; iced «Bakewell Tart» across, or plain; fancy riffs like lemon and coconut or standard almond and raspberry jam).
I did both a pudding (custardy-​er and with a phyllo-​like crust) and a tart, both traditional almond-​and-​jam style. Oh, and we bought one to bring home and gift which… SUFFERED AN «ACCIDENT» IN TRAFFIC (it was half eaten).
Summary: if you’re used to London prices for baked goods, everything here is extremely affordable. It’s kind of a «must-​do» if you find yourself in Matlock and, if you do — as there are many places pushing their own versions of the tart — The Bakewell Tart Shop should be on your list.
Unilocal note: tart stayed delicious despite 4 hours in a hot car. Bonus.

While in Bakewell visiting the nearby Chatsworth House, I was told by a friend I could not leave the area without trying a famous Bakewell Tart. My sweet tooth never says no to a statement like that, so we headed to the Bakewell Tart Shop, where they claim to be the only ones who make it. My friend wasn’t sure why the tart is so famous or how it started, so I asked about its history once I was inside the bakery. I was told they were a mistake, made by a servant who did not understand the lady of the house’s instructions on how to make that night’s dessert. The tarts were such a hit at dinner that they were made in this happy accident way from then on.
Not able to wait, we ate our tarts as we walked out the door and were just as pleased as the people at the dinner must have been with them. I don’t remember the exact taste and presentation, but I do remember the jam inside it was delicious.
The shop itself is adorable and has all the wonderful bakery smells that never fail in evoking warm thoughts when you are around them. From what I remember, they mostly only make their namesake and variations of it, including an iced version that can be personalized. Also, if you’re not able to make it to Bakewell or want to ship some home to greet you when you get back, you can order online or by phone. Which is very tempting…