A charming UK town that has been hailed as the North’s answer to Bath needs to be on your radar if you’re looking for countryside walks, beautiful thermal spas and grand architecture.
Buxton, a spa town in Derbyshire, offers a picturesque escape with its elegant Victorian and Georgian buildings lining quaint streets filled with independent shops and famous structures. Its spa heritage seeps through its picturesque scenes, while independent shops, tranquil gardens, venues and museums make up this inviting town.
Notably, the well-known natural mineral water is sourced and bottled from Buxton at St Ann’s Spring, located in the heart of the Peak District. Buxton water, now owned by Nestle, has certainly made a name for the town, as it’s one of the UK’s biggest sellers and has been around since at least 1855.
The town is also home to natural mineral baths, dating back to the Roman Era, with visitors able to soak in the waters at Buxton Crescent, a luxurious Georgian hotel and spa complex. The curved and majestic Buxton Crescent is a striking feature of the town, and has often been compared to the sweeping Royal Crescent in Bath, with other noticeable features of Buxton similar to those of the fellow, and famed, spa town in Somerset.
Aside from its famous water link, Buxton has some major recognisable landmarks. One of these includes the Victorian Opera House, featuring domed painted ceilings and luxurious boxes where visitors can enjoy music, theatre, and ballet shows.
Elsewhere, there’s the grand Devonshire Dome, an 18th-century former stable block that is now part of the University of Derby, which has the UK’s largest unsupported dome, spanning 44.2 metres (145 ft). There are also historic sites such as St. Anne’s Church and the Old Hall Hotel, which only add to the town’s allure.
With Buxton’s position on the edge of the Peak District National Park, it offers some of the most scenic walking routes and incredible backdrops, just a stone’s throw away. Yet, the town itself is filled with some of the most beautiful parks and gardens.
One of its most well-known parks is the Pavilion Gardens, featuring extensive lawns brimming with blossoming flowers and an impressive botanical conservatory. It hosts events, fairs and music, playing a key role in the town’s tourism.
Offering a glimpse into a day trip to the Pavilion Gardens, one visitor shared on TripAdvisor: “When in Buxton, a stroll round the Pavilion Gardens with your furry friend or without is always pleasant. Some nice regeneration work is in place, making it look a lot tidier and cleaner, although the lake still needs a good cleaning. Plenty of pathways to follow winding round through the cover of trees or through the play parks. Always worth a visit.”
Another shared: “Had a lovely time at the Pavilion Gardens. A little market where we bought some lovely cheese. A lovely place to walk with your dog to while away a few hours.”
Poole’s Cavern & Buxton Country Park is another popular attraction in the area, where visitors can explore a two-million-year-old natural limestone cave during a tour for a glance into the region’s geological wonders. The park also provides another key area for walks through its beautiful woodland, where wildlife thrives.
One visitor revealed: “We visited Poole’s Cavern and had a fantastic experience. Our tour guide, Anne, was great – friendly, knowledgeable, and very engaging throughout. She shared so many fascinating facts about the caves and really brought the history and geology to life.”
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com