Buxton is the highest market town in England and is in Derbyshire but on the borders of Staffordshire and Cheshire. It is often described as the Gateway to the Peak District. It is a Spa town that has been renowned since Roman times for the quality of its water and this has made an major impact on its development
The main buildings that we see in Buxton today are the results of one family's vision to create a Spa town in the North to rival Bath in Somerset. The 5th Duke of Devonshire used some of his incredible wealth from Copper mines to build the Crescent which was designed by John Carr and based on Baths Royal Crescent. The Crescent was built between 1780-84 and was a very impressive building at the time with an assembly room with painted ceilings. It has recently been renovated, but is not currently used.
Another impressive building from that period pictured below was known as the Devonshire dome. This was designed by Henry Currey and was originally the Dukes stable and riding school! It later became a hospital and is now part of Derby University.
The Opera House was designed by Frank Matcham and was built and was one of the largest in the country at the time. It regularly hosts the Buxton festival and the Gilbert and Sullivan festival. It is located next to the Pavilion Gardens which is a lovely park to relax in with some impressive buildings.
To the south west of Buxton is Poole's Cavern which has some impressive cave chambers with some colourful stalagmites and stalactites.
