Buxton is one of three towns chosen as finalists in The Great Town category of the Urbanism 2014 Awards.  Buxton will be assessed during the summer months by a team from the Academy of Urbanism and, following a vote, the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 8th November.  Competing against Buxton for this  accolade are Hastings and Cork.  Come and visit Buxton and find out why it's such a great town!

The Palace Hotel, Buxton will be hosting a charity three-course dinner with a raffle and auction and live music from both the indieannas and George Baxby from 7pm on Saturday 22nd June. The event is in support of Tommy's which provides information and funds research into miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. Tickets cost £26 and are only available in advance from One Small Step, 9 Hall Bank, Buxton or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it For more information please click here.

The fourth Buxton Military Tattoo will take place on Saturday 6th July at the Devonshire Dome with performances at 2pm and 6.30pm.  The event features a selection of the UK's finest military bands and has sold out in previous years.  To find out more and to book tickets please click here.

This year’s Buxton Festival features an array of free and family events supported by the University of Derby.

 On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July between 10am and 4pm visitors can enter the jaws of a giant silver whale for a three minute journey and be serenaded by a lovesick submariner. This free event is suitable for children aged over 6 and will take place on the Opera House forecourt.

Families can step inside the Magical Storytelling Yurt on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July. Local author and illustrator Pippa Pixley and Christine McMahon will take you on a magical adventure and create original characters in this free lively, interactive storytelling session suitable for all ages.

Entries for the Buxton Festival Fringe have closed and no fewer than 170 acts have signed up for this year. The Fringe, which runs from July 3-21, is one of Britain’s biggest and holds a key position between the Brighton Fringe in May and the massive Edinburgh Fringe in August.

With its friendly reputation Buxton is an attractive destination for performers from near and far, and this year even more artists are appearing from far flung parts. In Laughrica, African comedian Daliso Chapondo claims that ‘Westerners are insane but to be perfectly honest Africans are even crazier’, Africa Entsha from Soweto bring inspirational harmonies and fabulous and dance in Golden Voices of the Township, and a there is a return of regular visitor, soprano Margaret Ferguson, Africa’s Lady of Song.

The Fringe welcomes two performers from Brazil; pianist Emma Souza Lima offers a rare opportunity to hear both traditional European classical composers and modern music from Brazil, while Palabras Latinas story-teller Anamaria Lines and Midlands/Mexican troubadour Mike Payton promise a mesmerising blend of story, music and dance in Souvenirs. Sparkling French company La Petite Famille explore love and friendship in the musical Tomorrow’s Dawn, and there is also a Touch of the Dutch - singer-songwriters Elrieke and Poldy come from Holland.

All those under 30 years of age can attend any event at this year’s Buxton Festival for just £5. This initiative makes hundreds of arts events at the festival, which runs from 5th to 21st July, even more accessible to young people.

Randall Shannon, Buxton Festival’s Executive Director, said, "The ‘Festival for a Fiver’ offer was designed to open new doors for students and young people who have never tried opera, or our other music and literary events before.  218 tickets were sold to the under 30’s last year and we hope to encourage even more young people to experience the Festival this year."

Festival for a Fiver tickets can be booked at Buxton Opera House on 0845 12 72 190 or in person at the Box Office. These tickets cannot be purchased online. Proof of age is required.  To find out more go to www.buxtonfestival.co.uk.

The first Peak District Cycling Festival will take place from 7th to 15th September 2013 with a week of cycle rides and events (including workshops and films) morning, afternoon and evening.  The rides will range from 6km to 160km and there will be gentle routes and exhilarating off-road biking.  For more information click here.

Buxton's first tram, 'Wonder of the Peak' is becoming a familiar, colourful sight around the town as it conducts its hourly guided tours from 10am each day.  Each tour commences from the gates of the Pavilion Gardens (next to the Opera House).  Tickets can be purchased from the driver and cost £5 per passenger.  The tour includes the following highlights:  Opera House (also for The Square, Pavilion Gardens and Old Hall Hotel), Turner Memorial (for the Crescent, St. Ann's Well, Pump Room and shopping at Cavendish Arcade and Spring Gardens), The Dome (for the university and Palace Hotel), Buxton Museum and Art Gallery (also for the Market Place), Scriveners bookshop (for Higher Buxton shops, the Green Man Gallery and St. Anne's Church) and Poole's Cavern (also for Grinlow Woods, Buxton Country Park and Go Ape). 

 www.discoverbuxton.co.uk

Netta Christie of Discover Buxton said, "The Wonder's wanderings have begun!  We're delighted to be able to take so many people, visitors and locals alike, and show them the delights of Buxton."  As well as the main tour the tram is also offering a Tasty Buxton Pudding Tour on Wednesdays at 2pm starting on 1st May.  This slightly shorter tour ends with a Buxton Pudding and tea or coffee at Hargreaves Tea Rooms and costs £10 per person.  For information about special well dressing tours please see our well dressing page. 

Buxton Food and Drink Festival will take place in Pavilion Gardens on Friday 12th July from 4pm until 11pm.  There will be over 25 stalls serving up delicious foods from around the world along with local beers and plenty of street entertainment.  Outdoor seating will be available.  The event is free to attend.

For more information please visit www.buxtonfooddrinkfestival.co.uk

Art workshops are now up and running at The Green Man Gallery in Buxton's High Street.  A variety of workshops are available to the public, catering for different ages and experiences and ranging from drawing to collage to printmaking.  The Green Man Gallery opened its doors in December 2012 and is open every day between 11.30am and 5.30pm.  The Gallery showcases and sells work by many local artists and craftsmen and the workshops are part of its aim to provide a creative hub in Buxton.  For more information about upcoming workshops please click here.

Real ale fans are raising a glass to a new project aimed at boosting Buxton’s town centre trade.  A map highlighting 17 pubs and bars serving up real ales and bottled beers from local brewers and further afield has been published by High Peak Borough Council.  Buxton Real Ale Trail was launched at the fourth Buxton Beer Festival, part of the Great Peak District Fair held in October 2012.

“We hope that, by launching our own Real Ale Trail in Buxton, we will raise the profile of our local producers and boost trade in our town centre all year round,” says Godfrey Claff, executive councillor for regeneration.  “All 17 pubs and bars along the trail have something different to offer and, while some are traditional pubs which are rich in heritage, others are modern, quirky establishments.  Many offer the opportunity to dine but, most importantly, they are all packed with character.”

All the venues on the trail are within walking distance of one another and take drinkers past some of Buxton’s finest historic buildings and architecture.  The leaflet also includes local shops selling bottled real ales.  To download the Real Ale Trail map please click here.

Article kindly contributed by Steve Caddy of Pure Buxton.

On Friday 27th September 2013 Buxton will play host to The Chocolate Ball.  This indulgent experience will take place at The Devonshire Dome and will raise money for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance.  The Black Tie evening will include a drinks reception, the only official Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate fountain in the UK, chocolate themed dinner, chocolate tasting and dancing (to help burn off all the calories!). For more information please click here.

Buxton Tourist Information Centre

is situated within The Pavilion Gift Boutique in The Pavilion Gardens, St. John's Road, Buxton SK17 6BE.

Telephone: +44 (0)1298 25106 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For further information about The Pavilion Gardens and The Pavilion Gift Boutique please click here.

This website is owned and managed by Vision Buxton, a membership organisation which brings together local businesses, community groups and individuals who are all passionate about making Buxton an even better place to live, work and visit.

If you would like to find out more about the benefits of joining this strong town partnership please go to the Vision Buxton website, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01298 73033.

All images used on this website are used by Vision Buxton with the kind permission of the person in whom the copyright in such image is vested.  The permitted use by Vision Buxton of images on this website does not give any third party a licence or any other right whatsoever to use any of the images on this website for any purpose.