The Willoughton Wanderer

Bakewell is always a pleasure to visit, and on our latest wander through the town we found ourselves drawn to The Woodyard—a cosy, riverside spot with a relaxed atmosphere and an inviting menu. Despite turning up without a reservation (never guaranteed success in Bakewell!), we were shown straight to a table with a warm welcome. A good start.

Menus arrived in abundance: the Lite Bites, the main menu, and the drinks list. Perfect. A pair of Peroni Zeroes were ordered while we mulled over lunch. Wanting something light, we opted for the “small” risotto and the “small” linguine from the Lite Bites selection, with the latter upgraded by the simple but irresistible addition of chorizo.

When the dishes arrived, both steaming hot and beautifully presented, our first reaction was one of pleasant surprise. These were very generous for Lite Bites. In fact, they looked suspiciously like full portions, but enthusiasm won out over logic and we tucked in happily. The risotto was rich and comforting, and the linguine—with its chorizo—was fresh, flavourful, and just spicy enough to be interesting.

Halfway through, we exchanged that familiar look: “This is delicious… but are we going to finish it?” By the time we’d reached the final stretch of each dish, it became clear that even our best efforts weren’t going to conquer the mountain. A few forkfuls reluctantly remained, not for lack of enjoyment but simply because our ambitions had exceeded our stomachs.

It wasn’t until the bill arrived that the mystery was solved. The itemised prices made it clear that we hadn’t been given the Lite Bites at all—we’d been served the full-sized meals. Our waiter had mentioned, with a smile, that it was his first day, so it was an easy and understandable mistake. Certainly nothing worth making a fuss about. If anything, it gave us a story to laugh about as we waddled back out into the sunshine, considerably fuller than intended.

Despite the mix-up, or perhaps because of it, our visit to The Woodyard was a genuinely lovely experience. The food was excellent, the ambiance calm and friendly, and the staff welcoming. Mistakes happen, especially on someone’s first day, and it didn’t detract from a very enjoyable lunch. We’d happily return—and next time, perhaps we’ll bring our appetites for the full-size portions… just in case!