Travelling With A Young Family

Do you have little’uns with you? Buxton has many things to entertain.

Where to Stay & Eat

Most hotels and B&Bs in Buxton can host young children but those which particularly cater for them are listed on our family-friendly accommodation listing. 

Family-friendly restaurants and cafes can be found on our family-friendly food listing. 

Play Time

There is a small soft-play area in the Pavilion Gardens and a larger soft play centre in Fairfield at Little Rascals – great for climbing and exploring. Inflatable slides and games also regularly come to the Octagon Hall in the Pavilion Gardens.

In the Pavilion Gardens, you will also find Edward Milner, the miniature train, an activity park with choice of play areas for all ages. And why not have an ice cream at the Ice Cream Parlour?

There is also soft play and a role play village at Busy Little Monsters on Eagle Parade.

And Brick Corner on the Road offers LEGO-building fun at venues around the town.

New Experiences & Adventures

Head into the trees for an adventure and follow the sculpture trail through Grin Low Woods and climb up Solomon’s Temple and see wonderful views across the town. Find a sensory garden on Water Street opposite the Buxton Opera House.

For water-lovers, there is a learners pool at the Buxton Swimming & Fitness Centre and, for animal-lovers, lots of ducks and geese to see in the Pavilion Gardens (please don’t feed them). And don’t forget to visit the fish in the pond in the Winter Garden conservatory or to fill up your water bottles with refreshing Buxton Water at St Ann’s Well.

Explore the town with Discover Buxton Tours‘ self-guided, family treasure hunt trails. Seasonal trails around the Pavilion Gardens or the town centre (from The Pump Room) are often available during the holidays and the Buxton Flowerpot Trail, a family-friendly art trail takes place during the summer – a great way to explore the town with the family.

Arts & Crafts

There are regular, free craft workshops for young children hosted by the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust and Buxton Museum / Buxton Library.

Buxton Opera House and Buxton Civic Association also often run craft workshops during the school holidays. See our What’s On When calendar for dates.

Many family-favourite TV stars regularly visit Buxton, coming to the Buxton Opera House, including Sooty, Peppa Pig and CBeebies stars. See their family show listing on the BOH website here.

You can also paint-a-pot at Lasting Impressions on High Street or at Buxton Pottery Painting in the Cavendish Arcade.

Baby Changing Facilities

Changing facilities are available at Buxton Methodist Church and Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre in Higher Buxton and at the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton Opera House and Old Hall Hotel in Lower Buxton.

See more on accessibility in Buxton here.