Themed Trip

Eco-Friendly

Considering your impact on the environment, even when on holiday? Here is some information for an eco-friendly visit to Buxton.

Find more information about environmental sustainability in Buxton here.

Peak District Environmental Quality Mark

The best thing to look out for is the Environmental Quality Mark (EQM) of the Peak District National Park Authority. It is awarded to organisations which support the local economy, protect the global environment, enhance the local environment and invest in people and communities. See a listing of local businesses with the EQM here.

Where to Eat & Drink

If you are self-catering, Buxton has a zero waste food shop, Day Zero, at 30 High Street, which sells a range of dry foodstuffs, accessories and cleaning products. Bring your own containers (though they do have some available), weigh them and fill them up. Take just what you need and waste no single-use packaging.

Support local producers at Buxton Markets (Tuesdays & Saturdays on the market place) and monthly Thursday markets in the Pavilion Gardens. There are also a number of locally-sourced butchers and farm shops. Also, see our Local & Peakland food and drink page to find out about other lesser-travelled fare.

For eating out, environmentally-friendly assured places include the Herb Garden Vegetarian Bistro on Hardwick Street the Pavilion Restaurant & Bar in the Pavilion Gardens.

For cheese-lovers, there is The Old Cheese Shop in Hartington, a picturesque village just outside of Buxton, which also has an EQM. They make their own cheese and also stock other locally-made cheeses, as well as local and British wines and accompanying condiments.

See our Sustainable Buxton page for local recycling points including ‘hard-to-recycle’ item bins.

Activities & Events

It isn’t difficult to find activities with low environmental impact. The Peak District is a great place for walking, cycling, caving and climbing. If you fancy a day cycling in the area, why not head along the Monsal Trail to Hassop Station (EQM) where you will find a café and bookshop located in the historic railway station. Hire a bicycle from Buxton (or the closer Blackwell Mill) or check out the electric bike showroom at Hassop. Also see our Experience Nature themed trip with suggestions for recharging activities.

Learn about the town on one of Discover Buxton Tours‘ (EQM) walking tours.

Managed outdoor spaces Poole’s Cavern and Buxton Country Park are both SSSIs and run by Buxton Civic Association (EQM).

Other nearby attractions with EQMs are Blaze Farm, Haddon Hall and Chatsworth. Blaze Farm, just over the border in Cheshire, boasts an ice-cream parlour and tearoom selling Hilly Billy ices, made on the farm from its own dairy herd. Follow one of the nature trails and watch the farmers at work throughout the year. Haddon Hall, on the way to Bakewell, is recognised as one of the most romantic houses in Britain. With an enchanting atmosphere and beautiful terraced gardens overlooking the River Wye, the Hall has welcomed visitors for centuries. As well as being one of the most popular attractions in the Peak District, the Chatsworth Estate runs sustainability projects with social, economic and environmental responsibility in mind, including renewable energy projects and local food and drink products which are sold at their award-winning farm shop.

If you’re visiting one of the food fairs or music festivals in the town, or on Buxton Carnival day, look out for The Buxton Cup – a reusable cup which aims to reduce the number of single-use plastic cups used at such outdoor events. It is also available at The Pump Room.

Where to Stay

Wheeldon Trees Cottages (located just outside of Buxton), the Servant’s Quarters (self-catering apartment in the centre of Buxton) and Muse Escapes (self-catering apartments in Harpur Hill) all have EQMs.

Burbage View holiday cottage and the Lee Wood Hotel have electric vehicle charging points, as does The Old Manse Guesthouse.

Shared accommodation is available at nearby YHA hostels and there are a number of camping sites around the town – see our camping and caravanning page to find out more.

Get Involved

For those interested in the local community, Transition Buxton is an organisation focused on sustainable, environmentally-friendly living. It runs various projects in the town and has public events throughout the year. Visit one of its initiatives, the Serpentine Community Garden – a community allotment and orchard – help with the gardening or buy local produce including vegetables and herbs grown onsite. Transition Buxton also run a repair cafe at Buxton Methodist Church on the fourth Saturday of the month.