Local Information
Buxton…
The wonderful Buxton is one of our great historical Spa towns. It is also the highest market town in England. With the gathering fame and quality of its summer festivals and the new development surrounding the re-opening of the pump rooms, these are exciting times for local and visitor alike. Though still a place of enduring elegance and peacefulness, modern Buxton pulses with modern cultural activity.
It also makes a great base for a Derbyshire holiday. The A6 and A515 roads take you quickly and scenically to the pretty towns of Bakewell and Ashbourne, and to Chatsworth, the seat of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and Haddon Hall, a marvellous example of Elizabethan arcClickecture. For those with a real love of country houses, you can reach the superb Hardwick Hall nr Chesterfield in about an hour. Lovely Kedleston Hall near Derby is also well worth a visit and is reachable in just under an hour. For those with a passion for industrial history, the World Heritage town of Cromford, the birthplace of Britain’s industrial revolution is only a 40 minute drive away.
The Spa town Buxton has been connected to the healing properties of water since the arrival of a Roman settlement there, named Aquae Arnemetiae – “The healing waters of the goddess of the grove” around AD 80. The deep Roman attachment to the health-giving properties of water – all classes of Romans went regularly to public baths – meant that wherever their conquering soldiers went, the search for hot springs took place. When the Romans quit Britain around 400 AD, their culture left with them. It wasn’t until the English aristocracy fell in love with the ancient classical civilizations in the eighteenth century that the modern English Spa town – from Sanitas per Aqua, Health through Water – developed.
That said, Buxton’s fame for its thermal spring water rose again in the reign of Elizabeth I through Mary, Queen of Scots’s visits to the village while under the guard of Bess of Hardwick. In 1572, the first medical text on the waters entitled ‘The Benefit of the Auncient Bathes of Buckstones' was published by a Dr Jones. Though the practice continued through the next two centuries, it wasn’t until 1780 that taking the waters at Buxton became fashionable again, when the Duke of Devonshire, taking the lead from the now ragingly chic Bath (the ancient Roman Aquae Sulis), built the famous Crescent (on the site of the original Roman baths). Though the practice went into decline in the last century – access to the spring waters, the Natural Baths, was closed off in 1972 - the recent upsurge of interest in all substances natural and organic has led to a spa revival. Once again following the example of Bath, a brand new spa development at The Crescent is due to open in 2012, an event viewed in the town with much anticipation. This major heritage development will see a fully restored Crescent become a hotel and the building of a new pump room where the spring water of Buxton will be available free to the public.
The Festivals The Buxton Festival has become one of Britain’s best. Held annually through two weeks in July it draws many famous national and international names from the worlds of literature and music (of the opera, chamber and classical variety). A flourishing fringe runs parallel with the festival proper and is now the biggest in England. It includes a fascinating range of events: music; theatre; poetry; comedy; fine arts and much more.
The Gilbert and Sullivan festival has also won huge acclaim since its inception in 1994 and is now of world importance. It follows the Buxton festival at the end of July and runs into mid-August.
Visit stately homes.
Buxton Opera -
http://www.britainsbestbreaks.tv/video/buxtonopera.wmv
Chatsworth House -
http://www.chatsworth-house.co.uk/
http://www.britainsbestbreaks.tv/video/chatsworthhouse.wmv
Haddon Hall -
Eyam Hall -
Haddon Hall -
http://www.britainsbestbreaks.tv/video/haddon.wmv
Hardwick Hall -
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-hardwickhall/
Kedleston Hall -
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-kedlestonhall/
Pavilion Gardens -
http://www.britainsbestbreaks.tv/video/pavgardens.wmv
And many others.
Buxtons Attractions
Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park. This magnificent natural cavern features spectacular stalactites and crystal formations. Regular guided tours take you through spacious, well lit chambers where you will be introduced to Derbyshire's largest stalactite and the unique 'poached egg' stalagmites. The Country Park features woodland trails to stunning panoramic views.
Contact: +44 (0)1298 26978.
e-mail: info@poolescavern.co.uk.
Website: www.poolescavern.co.uk.
Buxton Museum & Art Gallery. Explore the Wonders of the Peak, discovering the geology, archaeology and history of the Peak District through seven time zones. Enjoy a changing programme of exhibitions of art, craft, local history and photography and step into a Victorian scientist's study.
Contact: +44 (0)1298 24658
e-mail: ros.westwood@derbyshire.gov.uk
The Pavilion Gardens. Established in 1871 by Edward Milner, pupil of Sir Joseph Paxton, these 23 acres of Victorian landscaping on the banks of the River Wye include the Octagon, Concert Hall, Paxton Suite, Cafeteria, Restaurant, Coffee Shop, Conservatory and the Spa Water Swimming Pool.
Buxton Opera House is a gorgeous Edwardian building well worth a visit just to enjoy the architecture. It also has a varied programme of performances throughout the year - ranging from Shakespeare to stand-up comedians, from Opera to folk groups. See the Opera House website for more details.
Website: www.buxton-opera.co.uk
