Places to stay in Buxton

Five free things to do in Buxton

Buxton Crescent

This Grade-I listed building is based on the Royal Crescent in Bath, though would later go on to be described as something "altogether more complex" by the Royal Institution of British Architects. John Carr designed and built the stunning creation for the Fifth Duke of Devonshire in the 18th century.

Drink from St Ann's Well

This sacred spot harnesses the town's natural resources to deliver fresh, warm spring water to anyone who wants it, and has maintained this offering for hundreds of years.

The Devonshire Dome

Now occupied by Devonshire Royal Hospital, this Grade-II listed former stable block was also built by John Carr, though architect Robert Rippon Duke added what was then the world's largest unsupported dome - larger than that of the Pantheon, St Paul's Cathedral and St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City.

Solomon's Temple

This folly overlooks Buxton and the Peak District. While only standing 20 feet high, this two-storey tower is also built on top of a Bronze Age barrow, putting it at a height of 1,440ft above sea level.

Buxton Thermal Baths

Once used as baths, this complex now houses various shops and earned Grade-II listed building status due to its barrel-vaulted stained glass canopy - the largest stained glass window in Britain.

The magnificent spa town of Buxton

Commonly described as the gateway to the Peak District National Park, Buxton is a spa town in Derbyshire and holds the claim of having the highest elevation of any market town in England. It is also handily placed for those wanting to explore the surrounding area; it is close to the county boundary with Cheshire, as well as Staffordshire to the south.

Known throughout the UK for its wonderful water supply, Buxton has a lot more going for it than you may initially assume; in fact, some of the best architecture in England can be found here, rivalling that of other celebrated cities such as Bath.