Roadtrip through Derbyshire: Crooked spires and a couple of tarts

Roadtrips are possibly the best fun you can ever have. Great company, adventure and every road a route to delicious goodies. That in mind, over a table of scone and cocktails Kelly and I hatched a girlie getaway to York. We knew it had to involve laughter, cocktails and gluten-free cake with a touch of history, so hotel booked we started off a grizzly grey morning with a map in hand.

With Kelly's smurfmobile (un)locked and loaded, we set off in search of our first pitstop - the Crooked Spire Church in Chesterfield. Rising above the local rooflines, the St Mary and All Saints Church tower is iconic and rather special.

St Mary and All Saints, the Crooked Spire Church, was built in the late 13th Century and finished around 1360. It’s the largest church in Derbyshire. The Spire stands 228 feet from the ground and leans 9 feet 5 inches from its true centre. The Spire was built straight and the reason that it 'twisted' may be the amount of green timber used during its construction. Then 32 tons of lead tiles were placed on top – enough to bend anyone’s back! 

The church inside is rather classic in style, leaving most of the showbiz element to their showstopping spire. I did rather adore their modern leaded window depicting the local history.

Simply magnificent. Volunteer run guided walks up into the tower are run Easter to Christmas, Monday to Saturday (check with them for times) if you're itching to see the Derbyshire's answer to the leaning tower of Pisa - in true British style.

After a well-earned tea break in the nearby café, Kelly let slip that Bakewell is just a 20-or-so minute hop skip and a jump from Chesterfield.

We threaded our way through the beautifully mossy-green peak district to try the original Bakewell Pudding. It's not the tart crowned with marzipan and a cheery as we all know it, but a light pastry bowl of "beaten mixture of almonds, whole egg, sugar and luxury butter" which forms a lovely soft set custard.

We opted for the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, and beginning our treat with a civilised jacket potato, decided to try our puddings warm with custard. I wish I'd take more, better photos but I was starving... our puddings aren't gluten-free, but so delicious they are well worth the after-effects. The things we do for our art!

We then tripped downstairs to buy treats for the men-folk and snacking on later (like good girl guides and scouts us gluten-free lot firmly believe in being prepared). Their delectable emporium is also where I decided that leaving my wallet in the shop as a souvenir would be a good idea. Thankfully the really kind staff found it and couriered it back to me once home - not only do they bake delectable goodies in a picturesque village, but they are lovely to boot.

The beer was a success, and having spotted Bakewell Tarts as we know them, we wandered through the pretty village until our afternoon tea booked closer to York beckoned...

Not such a bad morning then, hey.