Treasure Hunts, Tail Wags and Tunes: A Bank Holiday Rally in Bakewell

Bank holiday weekends are always something to look forward to, but spending one in Bakewell makes it extra special. This beautiful Peak District market town is famous for its pudding, of course, but there’s so much more to enjoy. On a bank holiday, the streets are alive with visitors exploring the shops, pausing at cosy cafés, or strolling by the River Wye to feed the ducks. With its riverside pubs, historic buildings, and that unmistakable holiday buzz, Bakewell is a place that never disappoints.

Our rally field was set at Bakewell Showground, the perfect base for the weekend. An impressive 44 units from a geographically diverse range of Centres joined us, filling the site with a friendly buzz from the start. Friday was the usual “legs down and settle in” affair — awnings went up, chairs came out, and neighbours greeted each other with smiles and chatter. By evening, the field was alive with laughter and the clink of bottles, a perfect start to the long weekend.

Photo Credit: Howard Moorby

Saturday: Treasure Hunts and Quiz Night

Saturday brought the first organised activities of the rally — a treasure hunt around Bakewell. The adventure began at the showground in the afternoon, with teams clutching clue sheets and plenty of enthusiasm. The trail led into town, weaving through its historic streets and climbing the hill to All Saints’ Church and the Old House Museum. The climb was worth it — not only for the clues, but also for the wonderful views across Bakewell below. From there, the route guided us back down through the peaceful Memorial Gardens and, in true Bakewell fashion, into several of the town’s public houses. Solving clues over a pint quickly became a theme for more than one team!

The children weren’t left out either. While the adults puzzled their way around town, the youngsters enjoyed a lively scavenger hunt too. Armed with lists, they dashed about with the same competitive spirit as the grown-ups, gathering all sorts of treasures in the hope of winning a prize.

As evening rolled around, the field came alive once again. Prizes were awarded for both hunts to cheers and applause, before the rally settled into quiz night. We kicked things off with a Majority Rules Quiz, where it’s not about being factually correct, but about giving the same answer as most of the room. If the majority say a giraffe is taller than Big Ben, that’s the winning answer! The format always sparks laughter, as teams try to second-guess the crowd rather than the facts.

After that came a truly unforgettable game of Name That Tune. But this wasn’t your ordinary version — two teams battled it out to identify songs played on bazooka chickens. Yes, rubber chickens that squawk a tune when blown into! It was every bit as ridiculous (and brilliant) as it sounds, and the perfect way to end a night of fun.

Sunday: Dogs, BBQs and Flag

Sunday brought something completely different — our Alternative Dog Show. Here, it wasn’t just the dogs being judged, but their owners too! Categories included Best Trick, Fluffiest Tail, Looks the Most Like Its Owner, Best Matching Outfit, Fastest Dog and Owner Slalom Run, and even Highest Owner and Highest Dog Jump. The field was alive with wagging tails, laughter, and plenty of good-natured competition.

Every entrant walked away with a goody bag kindly donated by Mark at Bakewell Pet Supplies, while category winners proudly received rosettes and prizes. The big moment came with the awarding of the Best in Show trophy, rounding off the afternoon with smiles all around.

Later in the day, at 6pm, ralliers gathered for a communal BBQ. Families brought their own food and barbecues, while those without made use of the grill at the marshals’ van. The smell of sausages, burgers, and kebabs filled the air as everyone tucked in, sharing food, stories, and laughter.

Sunday evening BBQ Photo Credit: Craig Rolt,

Finally, at 7:30pm, it was time for Closing Flag. The weekend’s activities were rounded up, thanks were given, and farewells shared. As always, Flag brought that special feeling of togetherness — the perfect way to close a day of fun.

Bank Holiday Monday

Although Flag was held on Sunday evening, the rally didn’t end there. With the weekend stretching into Monday, ralliers had the chance to make the most of the extra day. Some strolled into town to browse the Bakewell Monday market, others enjoyed a bank holiday lunch in the cafés and pubs, while a few set out for one last walk or cycle along the Monsal Trail — soaking up the tunnels, viaducts, and stunning Peak District views before heading home.

The rally officially finished at 3pm on Monday, giving everyone plenty of time to enjoy Bakewell right to the very end.

Reflections on the Weekend

As the last caravans pulled away from the showground, it was clear that Bakewell had given us a weekend to remember. From treasure hunts and scavenger hunts, to quiz night silliness and an alternative dog show that had tails (and owners) wagging, the programme was packed with fun. The sunshine, the laughter, and the camaraderie reminded us why caravan rallies are about so much more than a field — they’re about the people, the friendships, and the shared memories we create together.

A huge thank you goes to our marshals Howard and Zara, ably supported by Ant and Michelle as co-marshals, for hosting such a fantastic rally. Bakewell proved itself the perfect backdrop for a bank holiday weekend away.