Inside: Town Map | Heritage Trail | What’s on Guide FREE Official Town Guide visitbuxton.co.uk Contents Welcome to Buxton What’s on 06 visitbuxton.co.uk Eating Out 10 Shopping 18 Useful Information 23 Town Map 24 A to Z Independent Shops 26 Activities 28 Heritage Trail 36 Accommodation 40 It is not surprising that Buxton is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Peak Crescent, reopening in late District. Its famous Georgian 2019 as a 5ê thermal spa hotel. Roman settlers, royal prisoners, and Victorian architecture provide an impressive outlaws and noble benefactors backdrop to a vibrant range of music, theatre are all part of the town’s rich and festivals. Add to this the natural wonders history. Visit the Buxton Museum & Art Gallery to find out more or take a tour. of Poole’s Cavern, outdoor activities in Grinlow See page 5 for details. Country Park, the stunning ornamental Pavilion Gardens, a wealth of independent and high street Out & About shops and a wide choice of cafés, pubs, bars and Buxton is home to the Pavilion Gardens, 23 acres of award- restaurants to tempt your taste buds. winning, ornamental gardens designed by Joseph Paxton and Edward Milner. They include serpentine walkways, children’s play areas, lakes and a miniature railway. There is an historic Beyond Buxton Winter Gardens conservatory linking Buxton Opera House with Buxton is the gateway to the Peak District and a great the main complex. The building houses the Pavilion Café, Art base for all that the national park offers being within easy Café, Gallery in the Gardens and a large gift boutique but, travelling distance of Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, Crich under the new management of Parkwood Leisure, changes Tramway Museum, Alton Towers, Lyme and other National are set to take place in 2019/20 that will see the development Trust properties. Nearby beauty spots include the Goyt Valley, of a new indoor Pavilion Market Hall, Ice Cream Parlour, Tea Castleton caverns, The Roaches, Ladybower Reservoir and Rooms and boating on the lake. the Monsal Trail. The venue also includes the Pavilion Arts Centre which hosts Buxton Cinema and a variety of arts events throughout the Steeped in History year, including Buxton International Opera Festival. Fairs and Famed for its thermal spring water, the town has attracted markets are held in the newly-renovated Octagon Hall and people here for centuries. The Romans named it Aquae on the promenade and brass bands play on the bandstand Arnemetiae or Waters of the Goddess of the Grove. The every Sunday afternoon in the summer. fifth Duke of Devonshire put Buxton on the tourist map with Buxton is also home to the magnificent Devonshire Dome, development in 1780s - the centrepiece being the Georgian once the world’s largest unsupported dome. It now hosts the University of Derby’s Buxton campus and the award-winning Front cover: Aquae Arnemetiae - Buxton’s Visitor Centre - Pump Room 03 02 Devonshire Spa which offers a wide range of luxury spa treatments and beauty packages. See page 30 for more information. To find more of Buxton’s gems, why not follow the Heritage Trail (page 36) or, if you’d like to see the town’s attractions from another vantage point, why not take a ride on the Wonder of the Peak tram? See page 31 for details. Explore – Adventure for Everyone Set in the heart of the magnificent Peak District, a huge range of outdoor activities - including climbing, canoeing, caving, cycling and walking - is available. From artistic and cultural pursuits to the extremes of physical adventure, there is always something new to try at any time of year. Buxton is also the starting point of the Peak District Boundary Walk. For a shorter walk, why not join a guided walk led by the local rambling club? See page 6 for details. But you don’t need to go far for an adventure. Visit Poole’s Cavern showcave, follow the Ring of Trees and find Solomon’s Temple and Corbar Cross or, for those seeking high Markets, thrills, visit the aerial walkways of Go Ape. Fairs & Auctions Photo: ®Richard Hubert Smith A variety of markets, fairs and auctions ENJOY THE BUZZ! take place throughout the year. The Pavilion Gardens hosts more than 100 events Arts, Music and Festivals featuring antiques, books, art & crafts, toys, plants, jewellery and classic cars. A farmers’ Buxton is justifiably proud of market also takes place on the first Thursday of its cultural life and you’ll find the month. The full events calendar can be found much to suit all tastes. Be at www.paviliongardens.co.uk. Every Tuesday and Saturday, inspired by the art, music a traditional market can be found in Higher Buxton at 1032 and festivals which feature feet above sea level, making us the highest market town in throughout the year, including England, and there are various seasonal shopping events. Buxton International Festival and Spring brings the May Day bank holiday when Buxton hosts Buxton Festival Fringe and Buxton an array of its finest entertainment and local stalls showcasing Wells Dressing Festival & Carnival. Live the best quality goods the town has to offer. music events can also be found most nights throughout the town, plus special events including the For dates, see the What’s On When calendar on the Visit Buxton Military Tattoo, Buxton Rocks Music Festival and Buxton Buxton website. Brass Band Competition. Don’t forget the wonderfully varied programme at Buxton Opera House. Drama, music, comedy, dance and opera are well represented. Local artists showcase their work at The Green Man Gallery and Gallery in the Gardens and regular art & designer fairs. The Buxton Museum & Art Gallery also hosts year-round art exhibitions and there are also plenty of opportunities for the creative person to become involved, including Visit Buxton’s new Visitor Centre, community workshops and events. located in the Victorian Pump Room opposite The Crescent. A real source of inspiration and information for your visit. 04 05 What’s on? visitbuxton.co.uk ADVENTURE & Fairs at the Pavilion Gardens Buxton Half Marathon All Year Farmers Market. Plant & Craft, Artist & www.buxtonac.org.uk ATTRACTIONS Designer, Antique, Book, and Jewellery Spring Spectacular TOURS Swains Go Karting Fairs. www.paviliongardens.co.uk Discover Buxton Tours www.buxtonkarting.co.uk www.paviliongardens.co.uk Take a walking tour with one of JUNE Buxton Raceway Discover Buxton’s knowledgeable Buxton Rotary Club Summer Fair tour guides or experience heritage in March to November. Motorised thrills a different way with a character guide in the hills. & Charity Bazaar such as Vera Brittain, Mary Queen www.buxtonraceway.com Fun for all the family at the Pavilion of Scots or theatre architect Frank Gardens. Matcham. Hop on to Buxton’s Victorian- www.buxtonrotaryishere.co.uk styled, electric tram, the Wonder of the Peak, which leaves hourly from Buxton Opera House on a unique journey to showcase the very best of the town. www.discoverbuxton.co.uk Winter/Spring Poole’s Cavern Tours Buxton Adventure Festival Explore one of the country’s greatest Monthly programme of speakers, films FEBRUARY showcaves. The two million year-old, and events. Buxton Drama League Pantomime natural cavern forms part of the River www.buxtonadventurefestival.co.uk www.buxtondramaleague.co.uk Wye system and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Go Ape! Challenge Derbyshire Ball Derbyshire Open Arts Exhibition High ropes course in Grin Low Woods. www.devonshiredome.co.uk www.poolescavern.co.uk At the Buxton Museum & Art Gallery www.goape.co.uk Back-Stage Pass Tours APRIL (to September) Take a look behind the scenes at one of Unicon www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/buxton- museum/buxton-museum-and-art- the finest examples of a Frank Matcham Comic book convention organised by gallery.aspx theatre, Buxton Opera House, and TC Toy Fairs at the University of Derby. discover the fascinating history of this Contact: [email protected] RHS Chatsworth Flower Show iconic building. Week-long show with a delightful mix www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Buxton Opera House & Pavilion of gardening inspiration, spectacular Arts Centre at Easter summer colour, have-a-go workshops Buxton Crescent Heritage A full programme of family shows and and unique shopping within a Archie’s Farm Experience events to keep everyone entertained magnificent setting. A miniature animal farm open during Opening later in 2019 from the Pump during the Easter holidays. www.rhs.org.uk Room, this experience will explore and the summer months. www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk celebrate the town’s rich spa heritage www.archiesfarm.co.uk Buxton Garden Trail and fascinating characters that created Buxton Brass Band Festival The gardeners of Buxton open their and visited the Crescent. FAIRS The North West Area Brass Band gardens for one weekend in mid-June. www.buxtoncrescentexperience.com Buxton Markets Association presents its Annual Buxton www.buxtongardentrail.co.uk Brass Band Festival. Traditional and specialist markets every Buxton Music, Speech & Drama Tuesday and Saturday on the Market www.paviliongardens.co.uk Festival Place. buxtonmsdfestival.co.uk www.buxtonmarkets.co.uk Spring/Summer Buxton Health & Healing Festival MAY www.paviliongardens.co.uk Buxton Spring Fair The Philosopher’s Dome Roman Tours May Bank Holiday Monday Harry Potter convention. With local historian Brian Shephard. www.devonshiredome.co.uk See the Vistor Centre. Buxton Rocks Rock Music Festival Hillhead Show Peak District Walking Tours www.paviliongardens.co.uk Biannual quarrying and construction Most Sundays starting from the industry show next in 2020. Pavilion Gardens car park. Annual Antiques Fair www.hillhead.com www.buxtonramblingclub.co.uk www.paviliongardens.co.uk 06 07 What’s on? visitbuxton.co.uk Summer Festivals Buxton International Festival National Parks Week Buxton International Festival Book Buxton Festival is a summer celebration www.peakdistrict.gov.uk Weekend featuring opera, music and literature.