One of Britain’s best-loved sweet treats will once again take centre stage this summer as National Bakewell Tart Day returns on Wednesday 24th June 2026.
The annual celebration was launched by The Bakewell Tart Shop, the business occupying the site believed to have first baked these delicious treats commercially more than 100 years ago, to celebrate the iconic Derbyshire bake and its enduring place in British food culture.
With a history stretching back more than 160 years, the Bakewell Tart remains one of the country’s most recognisable regional bakes, known for its distinctive combination of raspberry jam, ground almonds and frangipane encased in shortcrust pastry.
Despite changing food trends, Britain’s love affair with the Bakewell Tart shows little sign of slowing down. The Bakewell Tart Shop now sells more than 1000 Bakewell Tarts and Bakewell Puddings every week through its Bakewell café, shop and online store, with orders shipped nationwide.
The tart continues to hold a nostalgic place in the hearts of many Brits, often associated with childhood treats, family holidays, afternoon tea and visits to the Peak District.
To mark National Bakewell Tart Day, the family-run shop in the heart of Bakewell will be giving away 100 free individual Bakewell Tarts outside the shop from 9.30am on the day, alongside online offers and celebrations for customers around the UK.
Duncan Kirk, owner of The Bakewell Tart Shop, said: “There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about Bakewell Tarts. Almost everyone seems to have some kind of memory connected to them, whether that’s childhood tea times, holidays in Derbyshire or simply enjoying one with a cup of tea.
“We created National Bakewell Tart Day to celebrate not just the tart itself, but the traditions and nostalgia surrounding it. Every year we see people travelling to Bakewell specifically for the occasion, which is lovely to see.
“The Bakewell Tart has stood the test of time and continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages. There’s also still a huge debate over which version people prefer – the traditional tart topped with flaked almonds or the iced cherry Bakewell.”
The family-owned business has been making Bakewell Tarts in the historic market town of Bakewell for more than a century and welcomes around 100,000 visitors each year to its café and shop in the centre of Bakewell.
The Bakewell Tart Shop continues to offer its traditional Bakewell tarts, iced Bakewell tarts and Bakewell puddings; all still baked to the original closely guarded recipe, delighting visitors from across the globe.
