Leisurely Long Weekend
Three Day Visit Suggested Itinerary
Pack all this in on a three-day visit to the town. Change the order as the weather permits!
Day 1: Active Day
Start your visit with a Discover Buxton walking tour and get to know the town. Their guides will help you get your bearings, give you an overview of the town, answer any questions you may have and take you past the Buxton Crescent and to see the magnificent Devonshire Dome (access-permitting) among other places. Fill up your water bottles with free Buxton Water at St Ann’s Well and have lunch in the historic centre, at No.6 The Square Tea Rooms or the Pavilion Restaurant & Bar.
In the afternoon, head to Go Ape for a high-ropes adventure in the Buxton Country Park, then take a walk through the lovely Grin Low Woods, along the sculpture trails up to Solomon’s Temple for a great view of the town – a lovely spot to watch the sunset. In the evening, eat out at one of our many restaurants and catch a live music gig in one of the many pubs and bars in town. Check out the monthly listing on our live music page here to see who is playing where.
Day 2: Rainy Day (it is Buxton!)
Spend some time looking round the Gallery in the Gardens, Isla Fine Art or one of of the many weekend fairs at the Pavilion Gardens. Explore the Buxton Crescent Experience or the many floors of Scrivener’s second hand book shop. If you have a car, head up to Brierlow Bar to the High Peak Bookstore & Cafe – a great spot for lunch.
In the afternoon, head to Poole’s Cavern for a walk underground, get comfy at the Old Sun Inn for an evening meal and then catch a show – opera, theatre, comedy or music – at the stunning Buxton Opera House and experience the heart of the town.
Day 3: Shop & Drop Day
Take a leisurely stroll around the wonderful shops of the Cavendish Arcade in the old hot baths, head down our main shopping street, Spring Gardens to The Springs Shopping Centre or explore the independent retailers of Higher Buxton, including Buxton Markets (on Tuesdays and Saturdays). In the afternoon, drop on The Slopes for a great view of the Buxton Crescent or, if it’s a summer Sunday afternoon, head to the Pavilion Gardens promenade and listen to the brass band on the bandstand while enjoying an ice cream; or a look round the weekend fair in the Octagon Hall. On your last night, why not head to Buxton Cinema and catch the latest film release?
One Day Visit | Six Day Visit
The Vault, Buxton
A unique, modern pub with a rich history.
The Old Sun Inn
Old-style, characterful pub in Higher Buxton.
Isla Fine Art, Cards & Gifts
Art, cards and gifts under the Cavendish Arcade Colonnade.
St Ann’s Well
A well of living waters.
The Crescent
Read all about the renovation of the Grade I-listed, Georgian Buxton Crescent.
The Pump Room
Home to the Buxton Visitor Centre.
The Devonshire Dome
From Horses to Courses. Visit the magnificent Devonshire Dome, home to Buxton & Leek College.
Pavilion Gardens
23 acres of restored pleasure gardens and events throughout the year.
Poole’s Cavern
The first “Wonder of the Peak”. This great limestone cavern is one of the finest show caves in England.
Discover Buxton Tours
A wide range of guided walking tours and costumed heritage experiences throughout the year.
Buxton Crescent Experience
Experience the history of Buxton’s most iconic building.
Go Ape Buxton
Hours of tree top fun. A great way to get outdoors.
Buxton Country Park & Woodland Walks
Details of woodland walks in Buxton.
Buxton Opera House
The Theatre in the Hills – one of Britain’s leading provincial theatres
The Gallery in The Gardens
A showcase of artwork locally-made by High Peak Artists
Solomon’s Temple
Buxton’s very own folly atop Grin Low. Find out how to access it.
No.6 The Square Tearooms
Quintessential English tearoom opposite the Opera House and Pavilion Gardens
High Peak Bookstore and Cafe
In the heart of the Peak District.
Buxton Heritage Trail
A heritage trail around the architectural gems of the town.
From November 2025, this website is owned and managed by Buxton Civic Association Ltd - Charity No. 258163.
Buxton Civic Association celebrates the natural and human heritage of Buxton including its outstanding buildings and wildlife. We conserve and enhance this heritage and advocate its importance in making Buxton a special place to live or to visit.
