Heritage Opens Days 2023
2023 marks the 29th year of Heritage Open Days. The national festival, with a theme this year of ‘Creativity Unwrapped’, takes place between 8-17 September.
Special events in Buxton this year will mark the 450th anniversary of the first visit to Buxton of Mary Queen of Scots.
All events are free but booking may be required for those with limited spaces.
Events are listed below. Information is updated regularly and subject to change. Please check with individual venues that events are going ahead.
Find out more about the festival here.
Events in Buxton are co-ordinated by Vision Buxton kindly supported by a grant from Tarmac Tunstead.
A festival leaflet/map will be available from the Buxton Visitor Centre in The Pump Room nearer the time.
Last updated 24.08.2023
Mary Queen of Scots 450th Anniversary
August-September 2023 marks 450 years since the first visit to Buxton of Mary Queen of Scots, who came here between 1573 and 1584 to take the waters, staying at the Talbot Tower, which still stands within the Old Hall Hotel today.
See what events are taking place to commemorate this historic anniversary.
Events are supported by a UK Government UK Shared Prosperity Fund Cultural Arts & Heritage Events grant via High Peak Borough Council.
Elizabethan Portrait Challenge
A creative challenge to mark the anniversary. Draw your best portrait of an Elizabethan character such as Queen Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, George Talbot or Lord Burghley. With Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust. Find out more here.
Submission
The deadline for submission is Friday 8 September 2023. Hand them in at The Pump Room.
Submission requirements: A4-sized, portrait orientation, any 2D media permitted.
Exhibition
Images will be displayed in the Crescent Assembly Rooms on Sunday 10 September 2023, 10.30am-4pm.
450th Anniversary Ceremony
Join us at the Old Hall Hotel as we recreate the arrival of Mary to the Talbot Tower with Discover Buxton Tours‘ character re-enactor, Jane Collier, and mark the anniversary with a ceremonial cleaning of the blue plaque referencing her visits.
Sunday 10 September 2023
11.30am-12.30pm
Outside the Old Hall Hotel (please keep to the pavements until the carriage has departed). More info here.
An Audience with Mary Queen of Scots
Learn more about Mary’s visits to Buxton whilst under the custody of the Earl of Shrewsbury, George Talbot, with this heritage experience. With Discover Buxton Tours.
Sunday 10 September 2023
1.30pm-2.30pm
Talbot Room, Old Hall Hotel, SK17 6BD
Places are limited. Book a free space via Eventbrite here. ***SOLD OUT***
Community Boules/Boccia Tournament
Growing up in France, Mary loved to play boules (petanque). Compete in this community tournament and win a chance to play the queen in the grand-final! With Discover Buxton Tours.
Sunday 10 September 2023
1.15pm-3.30pm
Pavilion Gardens lawn (opposite the Old Hall Hotel)
Register a 3-person team via Eventbrite here.
Registration deadline Wednesday 6 September
Dramatic Reading
Join Discover Buxton Tours for a dramatic reading of letters and other writings pertaining to the visits to Buxton of Mary Queen of Scots between herself, Queen Elizabeth I, her custodian George Talbot and advisor to Elizabeth, Lord Burghley, amongst others. Hosted by Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust.
Monday 11 September 2023
7pm-8pm
Crescent Assembly Rooms
Booking recommended. Book a free space via Eventbrite here.
Pre-show drinks available in The Pump Room from 6pm.
Open Days
St. John the Baptist’s Church
St John’s Church opens its doors for the first time during the festival. Hosted by Buxton Anglican Parish Team. Organ recitals take place at 1pm on 8, 9, 11, 14, 15 Sep.
Friday 8 to Friday 15 September 2023
11am-3pm
St John’s Road, SK17 6XN
No booking required. More information here.
St. Mary’s Church
An opportunity to visit this lovely Arts and Crafts Church. Hosted by Buxton Anglican Parish Team
Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 and Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 September 2023
1.30pm-4pm
Dale Road, SK17 6LN
No booking required. Find out more here.
Crescent Assembly Rooms
Take a look inside the wonderful Assembly Rooms in the recently-restored Buxton Crescent. Hosted by Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust.
Sunday 10 & Friday 15 September 2023
10.30am-4pm
The Crescent, SK17 6BQ
No booking required. More info here.
Pavilion Gardens Octagon Hall
Walk through the historic Pavilion Gardens and enjoy the splendour of this magnificent building which is over 150yrs old. Enter through the Winter Conservatory and walk all the way through to explore the Octagon Hall.
Monday 11 September 2023
9.30am-4.30pm
Pavilion Gardens, SK17 6BE
No booking required. Find out more here.
Trinity Church
Celebrating 150 years this year, see inside the church building and discover something of its history.
Saturday 16 September 2023
10.30am-12.30pm
Hardwick Mount, SK17 6PR
No booking required. Find out more here.
Guided Walks
Guided Walk & Talk of Lightwood
Join Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Nestlé Waters for a guided walk and talk at Lightwood to discover more about this fantastic reserve, how they are regenerating the land for the benefit of nature and wildlife and Nestlé’s Water Stewardship commitments and actions. Wear sturdy footwear, dress for the weather and bring a drink and a snack as needed.
Tuesday 12 September 2023
3pm-5pm or 5.30pm-7.30pm
Lightwood Reservoir, Lightwood Road, SK17 6RN
Book a space via Eventbrite here
Grin Low Geology Trail
Examine the diverse geological features on Grin Low with guide, Professor Richard Pattrick. After a short introduction to the wider, tectonic context of the area, we’ll walk up to Solomon’s Temple, looking at the rocks of the hill. We’ll examine fossils on the way back down and view microscopic features which can’t be seen in the field once back at the Visitor Centre. The walk is 3km across uneven ground and grassy and muddy slopes. Total climb is 120m (1km in length). Walking boots and water are essential. Hosted by Buxton Civic Association.
Thursday 14 September 2023
10am-1pm
From Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre
To book, email communications@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk with ‘Geology trail booking’ in the subject line
'Creativity Unwrapped' Theme Activities
Heritage Mandala Demo
Join local Peak District artist, Tamsin Cunningham, for a special mandala demo. Mandala means ‘circle’ in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit. It also symbolises the universe in Buddhism and Hinduism. Discover how the intricate designs are hand-drawn and hand-painted. Many of Tamsin’s creative artworks feature heritage buildings including her wonderful design inspired by the Buxton Opera House. With Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust.
Wednesday 13 September 2023
1pm-4pm
Crescent Assembly Rooms
No booking required.
Open as Usual
Cavendish Arcade
The town’s oldest shopping centre within the historic hot baths, built in 1852/3 by Henry Currey.
Terrace Road, SK17 6BQ
Monday-Saturday 9am-5.30pm, Sunday 10am-4pm
Clowes Chemist
Browse this historic chemist, established in 1875.
4 Cavendish Circus, SK17 6AX
Monday-Saturday, 9.30am-5.30pm
Old Haunts
An interactive audio tour of Spring Gardens launched as part of the town’s High Street Heritage Action Zone project.
Download it from oldhaunts.uk. Starts at The Pump Room
Find out more here.
The Pump Room
Pop into the Buxton Visitor Centre, browse the gift shop and see the old serving well.
The Crescent, SK17 6BQ
Monday-Saturday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 10am-3.30pm
Pavilion Gardens Conservatory
Wander through the Winter Gardens within the stunning Victorian architecture of the Pavilion Gardens complex.
St John’s Road, SK17 6BE
Daily, 9.30am-4.30pm
The Devonshire Dome
Take a look under this magnificent Dome! The largest of its kind in Europe.
Devonshire Road, SK17 6RY
Open daily except 15 & 16 September.
Access to reception area and Dome floor only (due to maintenance works).
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.
