Buxton (pop. 20,000), situated at a height of 1,000ft/306m, is a good center from which to explore the Peak District. The radioactive springs here were known in Roman times (first century B.C.), and since then many illustrious visitors have come to Buxton, including Mary Queen of Scots. In Higher Buxton, the oldest part of the town, are the Town Hall (1899; Market Place) and the museum (Terrace Road), in which prehistoric and Roman finds are displayed and the development of the town as a spa and resort is documented.
During July there is an opera festival that began in 1989 and runs for two weeks featuring rare operas and Handel productions.
The Pavilion Gardens, along with the Victorian conservatory, offer a lovely display of plants. The gondola lake, also one of the highlights, is fed by the River Wye.
Just 20 minutes away on foot from Grin Low Woods is Poole's Cavern with its impressive dripstone formations.
Poole's Cavern is a 2 million year old, natural limestone cave. There is evidence that the caves have received visitors as far back as 5,000 years ago.
Address: Poole's Cavern, Green Lane, Buxton SK17 9DH, England
Hours:
March 1 to November 30: 9:30am-5pm
Tips: Group discount rate available.
Parking: Free
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Chestnut Centre Conservation Park is located near Buxton in Chapel-en-le-Frith. The center grew out of the interests of its proprietors in the endangered otter and barn-owl. Today you will find Europe's largest collection of multi-specied otters and owls here, including Britain's only pair of giant otters.
Address: Chestnut Centre Conservation Park, Chapel-en-le-Frith SK12 6PE, England
Hours:
March 1 to September 30: 10:30am-5:30pm
October 1 to February 28: 10:30am-Sunset; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Devonshire Royal Hospital (1859), originally built as a riding school, has a dome 154ft/50m in diameter; it is now a major center for the treatment of rheumatic diseases.
In Grin Low Woods Solomon's Temple (1,440ft/439m) offers a panoramic view. The tower was erected in 1896, in memory of Solomon Myrock, on a prehistoric burial mound.
Interesting for its architecture is the Crescent, which is situated a short distance away from the Pavilion Gardens. This crescent-shaped street, 316ft/96m long, was built in 1780-88 out of local sandstone and was designed by John Carr of York, who modeled it on the Royal Crescent in Bath.
Buxton, like other places in the Peak District, is noted for the custom of "well-dressing", said to have originated in the nearby village of Tissington. The custom, which may well go back to pagan times, involves setting up a sacred image by a spring. The image is made of wood covered with clay and then coated with a mosaic of flower-petals.
The wells in Buxton are usually "dressed" in mid-July. A carnival is also held to celebrate the annual custom.
Address: Well-Dressing Festival and Carnival, , England
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