Buxton
About
Buxton is the Peak District's elegant spa town — a handsome Georgian and Victorian settlement at 1,000 feet above sea level, built around natural thermal springs that have been drawing visitors since Roman times. The Crescent, a stunning curved Georgian building modelled on the Royal Crescent in Bath, has been beautifully restored as a luxury hotel and spa, returning the town's grand centrepiece to its original purpose. The Opera House is a gorgeous Edwardian Frank Matcham theatre that hosts the Buxton International Festival each July — an excellent opera and arts festival. The Pavilion Gardens are lovely Victorian gardens with a conservatory, lake, and bandstand. The Pump Room is where you can still drink the thermal water for free from St Ann's Well — it's warm and slightly sulphurous, but locals swear by it. Buxton has a growing food and drink scene — the independent shops on Spring Gardens and the High Street are good for browsing. The Old Sun Inn is a proper locals' pub. Poole's Cavern, a natural limestone show cave at the edge of town, is excellent. The town is a natural gateway to both the Dark Peak and the White Peak, making it a great base for walking. At 1,000 feet, the weather can be bracing — locals say Buxton has nine months of winter and three months of bad weather.
Tickets & Pricing
Thermal water free from St Ann's Well. Poole's Cavern: Adult £12, Child £8.
Opening Times
Town always accessible. Pavilion Gardens: daily dawn to dusk.
Popular Nearby
Monsal Trail and Monsal Head
Monsal Head, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1NL
Cycle through lit railway tunnels and over a spectacular viaduct — the most beautiful traffic-free ride in the Peak District....
Sports & Leisure, Nature & Outdoors
Free
Castleton and the Show Caves
Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33 8WH
Four spectacular caves, a castle, and Blue John stone found nowhere else on earth — the Peak District's most concentrated village of wonders....
Nature & Outdoors, Quirky & Unusual, Historical
From £15.00
Lathkill Dale
Lathkill Dale, Over Haddon, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1JE
A secret limestone dale with crystal rivers, orchid meadows, and old lead mines — the Peak District's most beautiful walk you've never heard of....
Nature & Outdoors
Free
Mam Tor
Mam Tor, Castleton, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S33 8WA
The Peak District's most dramatic ridge — pastoral valleys one side, wild moorland the other, and a walk that rewards every step....
Nature & Outdoors, Historical
Free
What people are saying about this
Invite your friends by email, any users that already have an account will be sent a friend request.