23 Best & Fun Things to Do in Buxton (Derbyshire, England)

Buxton is a beautiful spa town in High Peak’s borough, Derbyshire, England. At the 2011 census, the town’s population was 22,115. 

Buxton is the highest market town in England, lying about 1,000 feet above sea level. It is a trendy tourist destination. People have been visiting the town to take its renowned healing water for years. 

Buxton is home to unique attractions such as the fabulous Old Hall Hotel that houses the prisoner, the Queen of Scot when she came to take the water with the healing elements. 

There are quite some fun things to do in Buxton, Derbyshire. At the center of the town is the impressive Buxton Crescent Hotel & Thermal Spa Hotel, a Grade I listed five-star hotel and spa featuring beautiful rooms and spa treatments.

One of the architectural gems in this town is the eye-catching Devonshire Dome, built by the Duke of Devonshire. 

Another impressive attraction is the Grade II listed Edwardian Opera House built by the famous architect Frank Matcham in 1903. 

Visitors to Buxton can also admire the gorgeously landscaped restored Pavilion Gardens with its play areas and family-friendly café and shop. 

Are you planning a trip to Buxton? Let’s explore the best things to do in Buxton, Derbyshire.

Things to Do In Buxton

1. Errwood Reservoir

Errwood Reservoir is a drinking- water reservoir located in Buxton. 

Errwood Reservoir was the second reservoir constructed in the Goyt Valley; the first was Fernilee Reservoir. Errwood Reservoir was built by the Stockport Water Corporation and was completed in 1967. 

It is presently owned and run by United Utilities. Errwood Reservoir provides drinking water for Stockport and its surrounding areas. 

The Errwood Sailing Club utilizes the reservoir for training, sailing, racing, and fishing rights are managed by the Errwood Fly Fishing Club. 

Address: Errwood Reservoir, Sandy Ln, Buxton SK17 6GJ, United Kingdom

2. Poole’s Cavern

One of the best places to visit in Buxton, Derbyshire, is Poole’s Cavern. Poole’s Cavern is located on the outskirts of town and has been drawing visitors since the 1500s. 

Some famous visitors who have visited the cave include Charles Cotton, a writer who visited in 1681, and Mary Queen of Scotts in 1582. 

During that time, the cave entrance was not as simple as it is currently. The pioneer visitors had to crawl uncomfortably for 10m via a small tunnel. 

Later, the Cavern’s first custodian, Frank Redfern, had to enlarge the cavern entrance by removing numerous sediment and the lower roof space. 

Poole’s Cavern stayed in the Redfern family for 120 years, who expanded pathways into other caverns. In 1851, 17 lamps were put in the Cavern, and you can still see some today. 

When the Cavern was shut down in 1965, after the death of its owner, these lamps were still glowing. 

In 1976, Poole’s Cavern was re-opened after 100 electric lights were installed. Unfortunately, as a result of the nature of Poole’s Cavern, you can only visit with an organized tour.

Address: Green Ln, Buxton SK17 9DH, United Kingdom

3. Buxton Opera House

Buxton Opera House is located in the heart of Buxton. The 902-seat opera house has been holding live performances since 1903. 

The impressive building was designed by Frank Matcham, who was also responsible for creating the London Palladium. 

Buxton Opera House is among the best examples of Edwardian theatre and was refurbished to its previous glory in 2001. 

Aside from normal live performances, you can take a guided tour and learn about the history of the opera house and see the inside of this magnificent auditorium. 

Address: Water St, Buxton SK17 6XN, United Kingdom

4. The Arches

This destination is an artisan market located within the arches of Hogshaw Mill. The market is family and dog friendly and houses unique pop-up shops and stalls. 

You will find various food and drink markets and festivals throughout the year. Some of the festivals that may interest you to take part in include the Buxton Night Food & Drink Market, that holds at the Pavilion Gardens during summer. 

The second one is the Buxton Beer Festival in October, also in the Pavillion Gardens. 

Address: Fairfield Road, Buxton SK17 7DJ England

5. Pavillion Gardens

The Pavillion Garden, dating back to 1871, excellently displays the Victorian splendor of the town. 

The Pavillion Gardens is a 23-acre landscaped garden. The garden is excellent for a romantic picnic or a family day out. 

In the garden, you will find different features, including a playground, a large boating lake, a bandstand, a miniature railway, and an arrangement of flower beds and shaded walks. 

Also, you will discover a spectacular grade II-listed building that houses several food venues, a theatre, and an arts center. 

Address: St John’s Rd, Buxton SK17 6BE, United Kingdom

6. The Westminster Hotel

The Westminster Hotel is a family-operated hotel that has an enviable location overlooking the stunning landscapes of Pavillion Garden with its numerous attractions. 

The hotel aims to make its guests feel right at home by serving amazing meals, cozy accommodations, and extraordinary hospitality.

The Westminster Hotel has 12 double bedrooms. All the bedrooms are ensuite and have tea/coffee making facilities, color Tv, and a hair drier. There is also Free WIFI and High-Speed Internet access in all the rooms. 

The dining room and lounge also have expansive picture bay windows with a free view of the Pavillion Gardens, local wildlife, and the lake. 

The breakfast menu is not rigid and is made using fresh local produce whenever possible. 

Address: 21 Broad Walk, Buxton SK17 6JR, United Kingdom

7. Devonshire Dome

Among what to do in Buxton, Derbyshire, is to explore the historic Devonshire Dome. The original building was authorized in 1785 on behalf of the Duke of Devonshire at that time as part of a larger plan to encourage Buxton as a spa town. 

In 1858, a section of the building was transformed into a hospital, and in 1881 the remaining part of the building was changed, including its magnificent dome. 

In 1934, after the building was expanded, it was renamed the Devonshire Royal Hospital. In the 2000s, the hospital finally closed down and was obtained by the University of Derby. 

During that time, the Devonshire Dome was the largest around the globe. Devonshire Dome also houses an award-winning spa offering an extensive range of luxurious spa treatments designed to improve your well-being. 

Address: Devonshire Royal Campus 1 Devonshire Road University of Derby Buxton, Buxton SK17 6RY England

8. Discover Buxton Tours

One of the fun things to do in Brixton is to go on a bus tour and look at all the historical landmarks. 

The Wonder of the Peak tour carries you via the notable old town where you can see the Buxton Opera House, St Ann’s Well, The Crescent, and thermal baths. It will then take you past St. Johns Church and to the spectacular Devonshire Dome. 

At the Dome, you will experience its stunning architecture firsthand. The tour then carries you to one of the town’s oldest buildings, St Annes Church which goes back to 1625, before concluding at the gorgeous Pavillion Gardens. 

Buxton Tram Bus Tour is a unique way to see several places in Buxton within a short time, especially for people who are only visiting for the day. 

Additionally, the company offers several other tours, including character tours, walking tours, and other tours around the town. 

Address: The Pavilion Gardens Main Complex (main entrance, St John’s Rd, Buxton SK17 6BE, United Kingdom

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9. St Ann’s Well

Looking for what to do in Buxton, Derbyshire? Ensure to see the miraculous St Ann’s Well. 

St Anne’s Well was built in 1940 and is a grade II listed structure. St Anne’s Well has been a popular spot for centuries. 

There was a chapel where the well stands today, offering pilgrims an opportunity to pray and give thanks. 

Many people believed themselves healed, resulting in the shrine being filled with sticks and cast-off crutches. 

In 1538, the chapel was dissolved by the orders of King Henry VIII, and the well was locked up and the idol destroyed. 

Years later, the well was opened back and renovated on numerous occasions over the years. 

Address: The Crescent, Buxton SK17 6BQ, England

10. The Pavilion Art Center

This destination is an outstanding theater venue in Buxton, situated in the Pavillion Garden. 

The Pavilion Arts Center was initially established in 1889 as the entertainment stage and later became the Paxton and Hippodrome Suite. 

The Center has been turned into a state-of-the-art theatre and conference venue. Although the technology and the design of the art center are modern, a lot of effort was put into maintaining the original features of the building. 

For instance, the balcony that was removed when a suspended ceiling was put in 1979 has been renovated. This destination features two spaces, a 93-seat studio theater, and a 352-seat main room. 

This Center also hosts performances by Buxton Festival Fringe, Buxton Festival, and live streaming events from well-known theaters and opera companies across the country. 

Since there is no box office for the theater, you will have to book your ticket beforehand or pay cash as you come. One of the top things to do in Buxton, Derbyshire, is to watch a performance at the Pavillion Art Center. 

Address:248 Northdown Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2PX, United Kingdom

11. The Green Man Gallery

If you love arts, one of the best places to visit in Buxton, Derbyshire, is the Green Man Gallery. 

The attraction is an independent modern gallery and art center managed and operated by its artist members. The Gallery is a non-profit organization, and all the staff here are volunteers. 

You will find an extensive range of etchings, paintings, ceramics, link-cuts, hand-made ceramics, unique landscapes in mosaic, colorful resin art, unique clocks, skilfully tooled leather, lampshades, and silk scarves, 

Entry to the Green Man Gallery is free, and the welcome is civil and warm. You can browse as you want or unwind with a coffee and converse with the artist on duty. 

The Gallery has a comprehensive and rotating range of exhibitions of original modern art and craft by the members of the Gallery and by features artists and designer-makers. 

The Gallery has a workshop upstairs that can be rented, and the ground floor gallery can also be rented as a performance center for talks, presentations, receptions, and meetings. 

Address: Hardwick Studios, Hardwick Square S, Buxton SK17 6PY, United Kingdom

12. Buxton Museum & Art Gallery

Among the top things to do in Buxton, Derbyshire, is to explore Buxton Museum & Art Gallery. 

If you are curious about the history, archaeology, and geology of this town, then you should visit Buxton Museum & Art Gallery.

Go back in time and explore some excellent collections, including Ice Age, Limestone Fossils, and mineral collections like Blue John. 

You will also discover a vast collection of photographs of the town and its surrounding areas. 

Additionally, you will find 18th, 19th, and 20th-century paintings, including works by William Marlow, John Webber, Duncan Grant, Thomas Hearne, Edgar Chachine, and Frank Brangwyn. 

Address: Terrace Rd, Buxton SK17 6DA, United Kingdom

13. Buxton Raceway

Buxton Railway is a motorsports venue for drifting events, stock car racing, hotrod, and banger. 

The raceway’s track is a 380-meter tarmac oval and eight circuits. Buxton Raceway has a shaded stand, trackside parking, and a licensed bar. 

This raceway began in the early seventies on a field with large tires and gradually grew to what it is now. 

Buxton Raceway operates its domestic formula, and it also has a traveling formula on most occasions. 

The raceway does not have seats, so make sure you take yours along if there is a need for them. Watching races at this destination is one of the fun things to do in Buxton, Derbyshire.

Address: Dale Head Road, Buxton SK17 0RR, United Kingdom

14. Scrivener’s Books & Bookbinding

Scrivener’s Books & Bookbinding features five floors of used books ranging across different subjects, from conjuring through caving to fiction. 

Before this bookshop was established, the building was a Victorian shop with living lodgings. 

The cellar still has the old kitchen range, the stone sink, and the bookshop owners have constructed a tiny museum there so people can experience the history of the building. 

Not only does the museum sell books, but it also sells maps, albums, prints, sheet music, and greeting cards. 

The bookshop has rooms filled with books where book enthusiasts can cozy up and while away an afternoon or evening. 

Scrivener’s Books & Bookbinding also holds several literary and artful events and lots more. 

Address: 42 High St, Buxton SK17 6HB, United Kingdom

15. Solomon’s Temple & Buxton County Park

Among the best things to do in Buxton, Derbyshire, is to spend a day at Solomon’s Temple & Buxton County Park. 

Solomon’s Temple & Buxton County Park is located across Poole’s Cavern. The Park, covering more than 100 acres, houses a lovely arrangement of fauna, flora, wildlife, and gorgeous views from the crown of the summit pasture of Grin Low. 

Inside the Park features Solomon’s Temple, Go Apps Adventure, and a woodland trail. Solomon’s Temple sits above Grin Low, and you can get there by walking nearly 30 minutes via the woodland trail. 

Although the trails are easy to walk through, some parts have steep and uneven ground, which might prove impossible for people with mobility problems or pushchairs. 

Solomon’s Temple was built above what used to be an ancient burial mound. During its building, numerous Bronze Age skeletons and Roman artifacts were discovered and are now kept in the Buxton Museum. 

From the peak of Solomon’s temple, you will be offered an excellent 360-degree view of the town and its surrounding areas. 

On a bright day, you will be able to see the Devonshire Dome and other unique places in the town. 

Address: Poole’s Cavern visitor centre, Buxton SK17 9DH, United Kingdom

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16. Buxton Crescent

This hotel is the reincarnation of two stylish and magnificent hotels known all over Georgian England. It is a top-notch lodging place for spa searchers who travel all over the country to bathe in its healing waters. 

The hotel became a spa spot during the Roman times when a settlement was constructed around a clear warm-water spring that still sends up over one million liters a day from the source under the Buxton Crescent. 

The hotel and spa are among the most architecturally significant buildings in the country. This century-old building features stained glass windows, fluted columns, chandeliers, and painted ceilings. 

In a fabulous setting, Buxton Crescent offers luxury spa treatments, classical hydrotherapy, healthy cuisines, lifestyle programs, and all the five-star amenities that people with health challenges search for. 

Address: The Crescent, Buxton SK17 6BH, United Kingdom

17. Buxton Crescent Experience

The Bruxton Crescent Experience is a tourist attraction that shows the story of a unique spa town, the well-known water, and the current refurbishment of the Crescent building. 

This new tourist attraction opened in 2020 and is a year-round, all-weather attraction perfect for anyone who is visiting and wants to learn about Buxton. 

For centuries, the town has been a place where people have gone in search of healing water. Within this Grade I listed building, you will come across visitors from a period spanning over 10,000 who have visited Buxton to drink and bathe in the water. 

The Buxton Crescent Experience is a great choice for families, the interactive elements will make the children laugh, and they will also learn. At the same time, the history enthusiast can dig deeper into the town’s heritage. 

The Buxton Crescent Experience is a 90-minute limited tour held by an informed and friendly guide to make your visit more fun. 

The tour is restricted to a maximum of eight people. The guide will answer your questions as you go into the history of Buxton and explore why this magnificent building came to be. 

The tour ends in Grade II listed Pump Room, where you will be offered souvenir glass melandra bottles to collect water. 

If you have a general admission ticket, you can explore this attraction in your stride, use the features, or take in the history as you walk through all the rooms. 

Address:The Pump Room, The Crescent, Buxton SK17 6BH, United Kingdom 

18. Ruins of Errwood

Errwood was once the center of a flourishing community but was demolished by Stockport Water Corporation in 1934 to create a way for the Fernilee Reservoir close by. 

Errwood was constructed around 1840 for the family of Grimshawe, and the hall had a private vault and a small cemetery on the hills. 

The mansion was built specifically for Samuel Grimshawe, a rich Lancastrian industrialist who picked this gorgeous location for his family to reside in. 

Nobody knows why the company had to demolish this magnificent Victorian mansion that was not close to the water. 

The most likely reason will be that there were no more funds to maintain the building. 

Although the mansion is mostly a ruin now, it still attracts thousands of visitors each here who come here to wonder about its mystique. 

Address: Buxton SK11 0AR, United Kingdom

19. The Gallery in the Gardens

The Gallery in the Garden displays the largest selection of locally made, top-notch quality art and craft in the town. 

The Gallery, featuring the works of more than 40 artists and craftspeople, is located within the gorgeous 23-acre Pavillion Gardens complex. 

The Gallery in the Garden is home to affordable, original works, including ceramics, designer jewelry, textiles, photography, turned wood, embroidery, glass, etchings, linocuts, and a wide selection of prints. 

The Gallery’s staff are artists who are always interested in offering help and advice. The Gallery in the Gardens is open daily except on Christmas Day. 

Address: 6 St John’s Rd, Buxton SK17 6XN, United Kingdom

20. Roseleigh Guest House

Located 450 yards from Buxton Opera House is the Rosleigh Guest House, a family-operated establishment offering cozy and elegant accommodations. 

The owners of the guest house are experienced global adventure tour leaders. They are capable of offering advice about outdoor activities such as cycling, walking, and climbing. 

The guest house faces the Pavilion Gardens and lake, provides free Wi-Fi, and is located near the Buxton Cinema and the Pavilion Arts Center. 

At the guest house, all the rooms have a private bathroom, wardrobe, and shower. 

The rooms are furnished with flat screens TV, and some of the units have a lake view. 

Address: 19 Broad Walk, Buxton SK17 6JR, United Kingdom

21. St Anne’s Church

St. Anne Church is a gorgeous and historic building, believed to be the oldest building in Buxton. Its elaborate interior is a striking statement of its Anglo-Catholic traditional history. 

The church’s origin is not sure, but there is a date of 1625 inscribed on the church’s porch, but some parts of the building are older than that date. 

St. Anne’s Church is believed to have been a farmhouse of tithe barn before it was turned into a church. John Wesley gave a sermon in this church when he visited Buxton. 

When St John the Baptist church was constructed in Buxton in 1811, St Anne’s Church was turned into a school, then a Sunday school and a mortuary chapel, and then shut down. 

In 1885, the church was renovated for religious services and consecrated to St Anne again. 

Address: 26 Bath Rd, Buxton SK17 6HJ, United Kingdom

22. Old Hall Hotel

In the heart of Buxton and the center of the stunning Peak District, the Old Hall Hotel houses a classical restaurant, a large room with period features, and free WIFI. 

The building goes back to 1576 when Mary Queen of Scot lodged at the hotel and tried Buxton’s famous spa water curing properties. 

With individual characteristics and stylish décor, the rooms at this hotel each have tee/coffee amenities and a Tv with satellite channels. 

All the rooms here have private bathrooms and complimentary toiletries, and some have cozy seating areas. 

The famous wine bar offers different beverages and snacks, and complete English, award-winning breakfasts are served every day. 

Address: The Square, Buxton SK17 6BD, United Kingdom

23. Pig & Pepper Bakery

Pig & Pepper Bakery has grown many followers since its establishment in 2017, and its homemade pastries and bread are very popular among locals. 

Aside from selling cakes and fresh bread, the bakery offers deli products locally obtained from the Peak District. 

The bakery owners, Laura and Aran Cheatle, offer bread and pizza-making classes for people interested in learning how to make bread. 

Why buy bread when you can learn how to make one? The classes range from novices to professional level and, most importantly, anyone who wants to make bread but doesn’t know where to start. 

You will be taught the science of bread making via kneading, shaping, and using a domestic oven for baking your bread. 

An Introduction to Bread Making is Pig & Pepper Bakery’s most famous class, focusing on new beginners. You will be taught how to make a rye loaf, white loaf, Italian-style focaccia, and Irish Soda bread. 

If you love pizza and want to learn how to make your own, The Pizza Making Evening is for you. You will be taught how to make pizza bases, dough balls with dips, and grissini breadsticks. 

All the classes include a delicious tasty lunch with a selection of deli meats, bread, cheeses, and other homemade refreshments and treats. 

You will also take home all your recipes and the bread you have made. 

Address: 18 High St, Buxton SK17 6EU, United Kingdom

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Plan Your Trip to Buxton

Bruxton is one of the finest spa towns in England,

The town is home to eye-catching attractions such as the Buxton Crescent, Pavilion Gardens, Poole’s Caravan, and the Buxton Raceway. 

There are lots of things to do in Buxton, so you will certainly have a fantastic time here.