FREE Inside Town Map Official Heritage Trail Town Guide What’s on Guide Inside: Town Map | Heritage Trail | What’s on Guide FREE Official Town Guide visitbuxton.co.uk Welcome to Buxton visitbuxton.co.uk Steeped in History Famous for its natural spring water and Georgian Contents architecture, the town was founded by the Romans What’s on 04 who called it Aquae Arnemetiae or Spa of the Eating Out 10 Goddess of the Grove. But it was the fifth Duke of Devonshire who put Buxton on the tourist map Spa Hotel 18 with development in 1780s - the centre piece being Heritage Trail 20 the Georgian Crescent, soon to reopen as a 5 Star Useful Information 23 Thermal Spa Hotel. The town’s rich history features Roman settlers, royal prisoners, outlaws and noble Town Map 24 benefactors. Activities 26 Out and About Shopping 34 Accommodation 42 Buxton Buxton is also home to the Pavilion Gardens, 23 acres of award winning ornamental gardens including serpentine walkways, children’s play areas, lakes and a miniature railway. There is a historic Winter Gardens conservatory inspires! linking Buxton Opera House with the main complex. The building houses a café and espresso coffee bar, the Artist: Louise Jannetta www.louisejannetta.co.uk Pavilion Arts Centre, Art Café, Gallery in the Gardens It’s not surprising that Buxton is one of the most popular with a large retail area and the Tourist Information Centre. Fairs and markets are held in the Pavilion tourist destinations in the Peak District, with its famous throughout the year. Dine in the café and enjoy a stroll Georgian and Victorian architecture providing an around the gardens before maybe taking a ride on the impressive backdrop to a rich and vibrant range of music, miniature train. Follow the Heritage Trail (page 20) to find out more about these gems. Or for a trail with a theatre and festivals. Add to this the stunning ornamental difference, pick up the Buxton Real Ale Trail from the gardens, a wealth of independent and high street shopping Tourist Information Centre. opportunities, an ever expanding choice of cafes, bars The University of Derby’s Buxton campus is set and restaurants, and you begin to see why there really is under the Devonshire Dome, which is the largest something of a renaissance. unsupported dome in Europe, with a diameter of Buxton is the Gateway to the Peak District, and it’s a great 174ft and open to visitors all year round. Guided tours, a bistro, fine dining, and spa and beauty base for all that the National Park has to offer, but there’s treatments (the Spa can be used on its own or as part so much going on in the town itself that you might find of a treatment package including the luxury spa days) yourself hard pressed to leave. are available to book. A visit to view the interior of The Dome is a must! Wonder of the Peak Hop on to Buxton’s latest mode of transport – a Victorian styled electric Tram called Wonder of the Peak which leaves hourly from in front of Buxton Opera House and takes you on a journey to showcase the very best of the town, including Higher Buxton and Poole’s Cavern. Other tours available Front cover painting by Rob Wilson, winner of the Buxton Spa Prize. 2015 Well Dressing and Buxton Pudding tour. www.robwilsonart.co.uk www.discoverbuxton.co.uk 02 03 What’s on? visitbuxton.co.uk Adventure & discovery Set in the heart of the magnificent Peak District, it’s not surprising that a huge range of outdoor activities from climbing, canoeing, caving, cycling and walking are available. Visit Poole’s Cavern show caves (journey there on the Wonder of the Peak tram), explore the Country Park, Grin Low Woods and Corbar Cross and for those seeking high thrills visit Go Ape – home to an aerial rope walk. Buxton is also home to an Adventure Festival which includes a regular programme of speakers, Enjoy films and events at the Pavilion Arts Centre throughout the year. www.buxtonadventurefestival.co.uk the buzz! Guided walks led by the Rambling Club take place most Sundays starting from the Pavilion Gardens car park. Artist: Glynis Dray [email protected] JUNE Festivals, music and plays. Arts, crafts and outdoor Women’s Cycling Tour of Britain Through Buxton on Friday 17th activities. From the natural wonders of Poole’s JULY Cavern and Country Park, to the shops in three National Parks Week distinct shopping areas and a diverse choice of pubs 25th-31st July and restaurants, you will find something to inspire www.peakdistrict.gov.uk you the whole year round in Buxton. And on top of DECEMBER that, Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, Castleton Visit Father Christmas at Poole’s Cavern www.poolescavern.co.uk Caverns, Lyme Park, Crich Tramway Museum, Carsington Water, the Roaches, Goyt Valley, the Monsal Trail and Alton Towers are all within Scan the code to see easy reach. What’s On in Buxton today or visit www.buxtonevents.co.uk For more information: Buxton Tourist Information Centre Pavilion Gardens Tel: 01298 25106 Email: [email protected] www.visitbuxton.co.uk www.visitpeakdistrict.com www.explorebuxton.co.uk 04 05 What’s on? visitbuxton.co.uk Arts, Music and Festivals APRIL Gilbert & Sullivan week Highlights of the year include the Buxton Festival The Buxton Spa Prize 26th-30th July Outdoor art exhibition launch. For more www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk of Opera, Music and Literature, the Buxton Festival information visit Buxton Wells Dressing and Carnival www.buxtonspaprize.co.uk Fringe, the Buxton Festival of World Cinema Watch the ancient art of ‘petalling’ in St 1st April - Open for entries John’s Church; decorating the displays for and The Big Session Festival. Even more live 1st July - 14th August - Exhibition the Wells Dressing. music events such as the Buxton Military Tattoo Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts www.buxtonwelldressing.co.uk Centre at Easter take place at the Devonshire Dome, the Pavilion The Buxton Spa Prize There’s a full programme of family shows Gardens, Buxton Opera House and many pubs Exhibition of prize winning artwork based and events to keep everyone entertained on local landmarks. For more information and bars. Drama, comedy, dance and film are also during the Easter holidays, visit visit www.buxtonspaprize.co.uk www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk well represented at Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre and local artists feature at various Buxton Brass Band Festival AUGUST The North West Area Brass Band galleries and fairs. Be inspired! Association presents its Annual Buxton Buxton Family Festival Visit Buxton Museum and Art Gallery’s many art Brass Band Festival featuring many bands Incorporating the best that Buxton has to offer, the festival will feature a huge exhibitions throughout the year (the museum will from all five sections. www.paviliongardens.co.uk variety of fun activities for all the family: close for redevelopment on fairs, music, outdoor recreation, markets The Big Session and much more at the Pavilion Gardens 5th September 2016.) Back Stage Pass Fri 29th April to Sun 1st May. The Big www.paviliongardens.co.uk/fairs/ Session now lives in Buxton! Three Opera House theatre tours buxton-family-festival fabulous days of folk music at Buxton Take a look behind the scenes at one of Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre plus OCTOBER the country’s finest examples of a Frank a huge beer festival. Matcham theatre. During the hour long www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk OctoberFest There’s a packed programme of family tour you’ll discover the fascinating history MAY shows, workshops and events to keep of this iconic building, from its Edwardian Buxton Spring Fair everyone entertained during October beginning right up to the present day. May Bank Holiday Monday half-term, visit www.buxtonoperahouse. www.buxtontownteam.org org.uk to find out more. Starting from the Dress Circle bar, the tour will take you through to the auditorium and JUNE NOVEMBER backstage where you will get a glimpse Look out for the Buxton in Bloom Buxton Literary Weekend of the inner workings of the theatre. Tours Flowerpot People around the town www.buxtonfestival.co.uk 18th, 19th, 20th available throughout the year. Buxton Museum visit www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk for details The 34th Derbyshire Open Arts Exhibition June - September DECEMBER / JANUARY Traditional Family Pantomime JULY Join in the laughter and magic of our annual pantomime for some good old Buxton Military Tattoo Featuring a selection of the United fashioned family fun. Kingdom’s finest military bands, the www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk sound of the bagpipes, the beat of the drums, together with other displays For more information: performed in the iconic Devonshire Buxton Tourist information Centre Dome, the Buxton Military Tattoo is a Pavilion Gardens spectacular experience not to be missed. Tel: 01298 25106 www.buxtontattoo.org.uk Email: [email protected] Buxton Festival www.visitbuxton.co.uk Buxton Festival is a summer celebration www.visitpeakdistrict.com of opera, music and literature. www.explorebuxton.co.uk This nationally renowned event which was established in 1979 features rarely performed operas and an array of concerts. The literary series attracts award winning writers, political figures and much loved authors. For further details visit www.buxtonfestival.co.uk or call 01298 70395. Buxton Festival Fringe A vibrant, open-access arts festival running in parallel with Buxton Festival and featuring a massive selection of theatre, music, comedy and more in Artist: Barbara Durham venues around the town and beyond. 06 [email protected] www.buxtonfringe.org.uk 07 What’s on? visitbuxton.co.uk Markets, Fairs & Auctions MAY DECEMBER Most weekends and some weekdays you will Buxton Spring Fair Christmas Fair www.buxtontownteam.org www.paviliongardens.co.uk find a market, fair or auction taking place in Annual Antiques Fair Buxton.