BUXTON

Population: 22,215 Grid Reference: SK059735 Co-ordinates: 53.259,-1.911

Buxton town centre

Buxton Town Centre

Buxton is a spa town situated 1000 feet (300m) above sea level, the highest of any market town in England. Situated in Derbyshire it is close to the boundaries of Cheshire and Staffordshire. Along with nearby Glossop, Whaley Bridge, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Dove Holes it forms part of the borough of High Peak. This attractive town is easily accessible from the Midlands and the North West via the A6 trunk road and by trains from Manchester via Stockport.

Although not actually in the Peak District itself, the town is almost surrounded by the National Park and is not far from it's attractions such as Castleton and it's caves, Dovedale and Manifold Valley.

First established as a spa settlement by the Romans, Buxton has a geothermal spring which rises at a constant 28ºC (82ºF). Developed as a spa resort during Victorian times Buxton has many attractions including the Pavillion Gardens, Poole's Cavern, country park, Solomon's Temple and Opera House. The Buxton Festival is a three week long opera and arts festival and has been held in July since 1979. Another festival, Four Four Time takes place over a week every February and features rock, pop, folk, blues and jazz music.

Buxton's elevation means it is about 2ºC (3ºF) cooler than nearby Stockport and Manchester. In June 1975 a freak snowstorm stopped play at a cricket match. Otherwises summers are usually pleasant and temperatures can occassionally exceed 30ºC (86ºF). Buxton does have a high level of rainfall due to the local topography.

Pavillion Gardens
   
      Pavillion Gardens
   
Devonshire Dome
   
      Devonshire Dome
   
Buxton Town Hall
   
      Town Hall
   
Poole's Cavern
   
       Poole's Cavern
   

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