Set in the glorious countryside of the Peak District, the charming spa town of Buxton has lots going for it. And the good news is that this jewel in the East Midland county of Derbyshire is readily accessible from practically any part of the UK.
Buxton offers the perfect destination for a spot of adventure, a relaxing escape, or a bit of both. Let’s see why.
The Pump Room
Buxton’s thermal springs prompted a 19th-century craze for “taking the waters”. Indeed, the health-restoring pastime became so popular that the well at the town’s Natural Baths became seriously overcrowded. In response, in 1894, the 7th Duke of Devonshire, Henry Curry, built The Pump Room – now a Grade II-listed building.
Although The Pump Room has not been used by anyone taking the waters since the 1970s, the newly refurbished building is now home to the Buxton Visitor Centre. It’s the starting venue for the Buxton Crescent Heritage Experience and where you’ll find festival performances staged along with other meetings and events. During the school holidays, for instance, there are pop-up art displays and talks on a wide range of subjects.
If you want to enjoy a thermal dip in healthy minerals, then you can visit the Natural Mineral Baths which are now at the Buxton Crescent Wellness Spa.
Buxton Natural Mineral Water Plant
Buxton is, of course, renowned for its spring water and it’s hardly surprising that the branded Buxton Natural Mineral Water is a popular bottled water in the UK. The bottling plant, at Waterswallows in the town, is owned by Nestle. Corporate tours of the factory are organised from time to time.
St Ann’s Well
You don’t need to wait for a tour of the factory or even splash out on a bottle of branded Buxton’s water, you can drink your fill for free at St Ann’s Well, which you can find at the bottom of The Slopes next door to The Pump Room.
People have been drinking from this public source of thermal spring water for centuries – in 1678, the political philosopher Thomas Hobbes claimed that the well: “cures the palsied members of the old, and cherishes the nerves grown stiff and cold”.
Buxton Crescent
Buxton Crescent – a Grade I Listed building in the Palladian style – is the town’s showpiece.
It was built in the 1780s by the 5th Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish, and an architect from York, John Carr. The stately building soon became one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Britain and its star-studded guests came to take the waters fed by the neighbouring St Ann’s well.
Having fallen into structural disrepair, the hotel was forced to close its doors in the 1990s. Thanks to the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust, the National Lottery, and local councils, a ÂŁ70 million restoration project was undertaken, and the iconic building reopened in 2019.
Visit The Opera
For a cultural fix, head to the Buxton Opera House, a stunning Edwardian theatre designed by Frank Matcham, where you can enjoy everything from plays and concerts to the annual Buxton Festival.
Buxton Country Park
If you’re fit for some exercise, the woodland trails through Buxton Country Park offer more adventurous walking and hiking through stunning countryside. The woods cover some 100 acres (40 hectares) mainly of ash, beech, elm, and sycamore, providing cover for lots of woodland wildlife and flora.
The literal high point of your walk is likely to be Solomon’s Temple (just over a 3-mile walk from the Pavilion Gardens car park) which is more than 1,400 ft (439m) above sea level and affords panoramic views across the whole of the Peak District.
The country park is also home to the stunning geological miracle of Poole’s Cavern. The main chamber of the natural cavern is the size of a cathedral and has been used as a place of worship and shelter since prehistoric times. Along well-let passageways deep underground and alongside the ancient course of the subterranean river you can take the 45-minute guided tour.
Visit Buxton
Buxton is a town that beautifully combines history, culture, and nature. Whether you’re soaking in the thermal baths, hiking through the Peak District, or enjoying a show at the Opera House, Buxton provides a serene yet vibrant escape from everyday life. With its stunning surroundings and rich heritage, Buxton is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the UK.