

A Visit to Buxton
The spa town of Buxton on the edge of the Peak District is a brilliant place to spend a day while in this area. It really does offer something for everyone, with stunning Georgian architecture, beautiful parks, indulgent spas, great shops, top-class theatre, and fantastic dining. For the kids there are caves to wonder at, woodland trails to explore, and a Go Ape experience with thrilling aerial rope walks.

Buxton has been a favourite destination since the Romans first settled here in around 78AD, naming it Aquae Arnemetiae, meaning the ‘Spa of the Goddess of the Grove’. Buxton Mineral Water is still bottled just outside the town and you can still visits its source, St Ann’s Well, in the centre of the town. The water emerges from the ground at a warm 28 degrees Celsius, and everyone is welcome to drink directly from the well or fill their own bottles.
There’s so much to see and do in Buxton. While here don’t miss the newly reopened Buxton Crescent Spa, very recently refurbished to the tune of £70 million, and featuring world-class spa facilities and a luxury hotel. The graceful Crescent dates back to 1780, and echoes the famous Royal Crescent in Bath.

Also not to be missed is the iconic Buxton Opera House, designed by Frank Matcham in 1903. It hosts a great selection of drama, comedy and music events throughout the year, and has an opulent interior with magnificent ceiling paintings and gold leaf decoration.
Opposite The Crescent you’ll find the Pump Room, built in 1894 for the 7th Duke of Devonshire to ‘take the waters’. Now home to the Buxton’s Visitor Centre, it’s a great source of information about places to visit and experiences to enjoy in the town, as well as a lovely gift shop.
A further remarkable Buxton landmark is the Devonshire Dome, built in 1789 and designed by local architect Robert Rippon Duke. It’s one of the world’s largest unsupported domes with a diameter of 44.2 metres, larger than the Pantheon and St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, or St Paul’s Cathedral in London!
The Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is a great place to find out more about the archaeology, geology, history and art of Buxton and the Peak District. Their ‘Wonders of the Peak’ exhibition takes visitors through Peak District lives throughout the millennia, and gives lots of information about the different landscapes of the area. There are also frequent exhibitions from local artists.
On a sunny day, head straight for the Pavilion Gardens, an impressive Grade II listed building built in 1871, set in 23 acres of landscaped parkland on the banks of the River Wye. The parkland includes a large children’s play area, a miniature train, ornamental ponds and a well-stocked tropical greenhouse.

If boutique shopping is more your thing, be sure to visit the Cavendish Arcade, located within the original thermal baths. It has a range of independent shops and lovely cafés, all set in this beautiful historic building dating from 1852.
You’ll be spoilt for choice with places to eat and drink in Buxton, but make sure you visit The Old Hall Hotel, one of the oldest buildings in Buxton and the oldest hotel in England. The present building dates from 1670, but an earlier building on the same spot was a temporary gaol to Mary, Queen of Scots in 1584, when she was held here by the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury and his wife, Bess of Hardwick.
Buxton is situated in a fabulous location and any visitor to the town should also explore the beautiful countryside that surrounds it. Buxton is overlooked by two hills, Grin Low Hill and Corbar Hill. On the top of Grin Low Hill, at 439m high, is a well-known local landmark, a folly tower known as Solomon’s Temple, built in 1834. It’s open to the public and offers fabulous views from the top.

Located on the edge of the town is Poole’s Cavern, a beautiful show cave formed naturally out of the limestone rock over 2 million years ago. The Cavern is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and has been officially open to the public since 1853. Visitors can still enjoy guided tours around the illuminated chambers and see spectacular rock formations in the many chambers.
Poole’s Cavern is set within the extensive Buxton Country Park. There are numerous country walking trails through the 100 acres of mature deciduous woodland, which link up to Grin Low Hill and Solomon’s Temple.
Even more adventurous visitors will love the Go Ape! Tree Top Adventure course, located next to Poole’s Cavern. Buxton’s course is one of the highest in the UK at 1,200ft, and has recently been extended to create its own tree-to-tree zip wire section and a giant Tarzan swing drop. There is a separate high ropes course for younger adventurers too.
All in all … we think you’ll probably need more than a day!
Find out more
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How Do I Get to Buxton?
Buxton is located on the western edge of the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire. The postcode for the Buxton Crescent in the centre of the town is SK17 6BH.