Buxton
Buxton is within the borough of High Peak in Derbyshire. It is a market town with market days every Tuesday and
Saturday.
The town enjoys warm springs that have produced about 250,000 gallons per day at a constant 82°F, for as long as records have been kept
and are known to have been used in Roman times.
Buxton is now a thriving town with its own Opera House, gardens, hotels, museums, a good selection of shops, cafes,
and restaurants. It is also home to an large, impresive limestone cavern, Poole's Cavern, which is open to the public.
Surrounded by beautiful Derbyshire countryside, and on the edge of the Peak District National Park, Buxton
enjoys an enviable location and is an excellent base from which to explore. At over 300 metres above sea-level, it can be rather colder
than expected and snowfalls are more common, heavier, and longer-lasting than many other areas nearby.
Architecture
Buxton has a wealth of architectural interest. The view here, from above Cavendish Crrescent,
shows the old Buxton Baths building. The curved roof can be seen near the centre of this picture.
The old Buxton Baths building (left) now houses a selection of small shops, which have been carefully
and sympathetically integrated into the original features of the building.
Upstairs, under the curved, coloured glass roof, there is the Cavendish Restaurant offering drinks,
light snacks or more substantial meals. They are also open for pre-theatre dinner.
The hot bath, with a winch to lower the bather, has
been preserved in situ, and the original ornate tiling is still all in place, well maintained and in good condition.
Another fine example of Buxton's architecture. The Dome can be seen above the roof of the Georgian
Buxton Crescent building, soon to undergo a massive restoration as a thermal spa hotel.
In Victorian times, further fine building were added to the Buxton skyline, including the single span dome that
was once the Devonshire Royal Hospital but is now part of the Derby University campus.
Shopping
There is a pedestrianised shopping street (left), Spring Gardens, with many small shops and cafes, plus an entrance into
a small indoor shopping centre. Although not a major shopping town, Buxton does have several major stores such as
Marks and Spencer, Argos and Waitrose.
Across the main, A515 Ashbourne road, Terrace Road, there is the old Buxton Baths building, which has
been converted into another small shopping arcade with many small, boutique-style shops selling clothes, chocolates, books and
other gifts.
Eating and Drinking
As well as the Cavendish Cafe and Restaurant mentioned above, there are many more places to eat in Buxton.
You will find several small cafes along Spring Gardens, the pedestrianised shopping street, plus a Pizza house in the
Cavendish Arcade.
The Dome
The Dome is now part of Derby University campus and further education college.
Within this building on the first floor outside the Fine Dining Restaurant (see below), you will find the
Balcony Cafe where students on catering and hospitality courses will serve you with light lunches, homemade cakes and hot
drinks. Open Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday from 10:00am until 11:30am. Light lunches served from 11:45 until 1:00pm.
There's also the fine dining restaurant where, once again, you will be served by students and the excellent food
is prepared by students. It's an ideal way for the students to gain experience in looking after customers, and a fine place to go
for a reasonably priced three course lunch. The restaurant is open to the public during term time. Please note that booking is essential.
Lunch: Monday - Friday. Guests should arrive 12.00 - 12.30.
Dinner: Tuesday. Guests should arrive 6:30 - 7:00.
To book, phone the Restaurant Reception on 01298 28345.
Opera House
Buxton has its own Opera house, built in 1903 and fully restored in 2001. Every year in summer, there is the Buxton
Festival, which is based at the Opera house.
Parks and Gardens
The Pavilion Gardens consist of pleasantly landscapes gardens and lakes covering 23 acres. They are located close
to the Opera House and there is good parking nearby.
Links
Read more about the Cavendish Arcade.
Buxton Crescent.
The Buxton page on the High Peak gov.uk website.
Visit the Buxton Opera House website.
The popular Fine Dining restaurant at The Dome.
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