Historic Architecture in Buxton

A view of the Devonshire Dome from The Slopes

When planning my day out in Buxton, due to the timing of buses and the total travel time involved – which necessitated a return journey to Sheffield via Bakewell – I had less than 5 hours to explore its architecture and, with a long list of places to see, this account only briefly highlights points of interest and, to fully appreciate this very attractive town, a weekend is needed.

A view of the Crescent from Buxton War Memorial

St. Ann's Well

Arriving on the bus at the east end of town, a short walk along the High Street brings you to the Crescent, built 1780-1784 by John Carr. Modelled on the Royal Crescent in Bath, the architect – who also worked at Wentworth Woodhouse and Clifton House in Rotherham - selected local Millstone Grit for its construction, a coarse and durable sandstone that has been used in Buxton to build a wide variety of other historic buildings of all shapes and sizes.

Although the Millstone Grit has a good reputation as a building stone, Buxton is frequently subjected to deep frosts in winter and, having briefly visited the town when living in Bakewell several years ago, I noticed that many architectural details were deeply weathered.

When I visited Buxton, the Crescent was wrapped in scaffold and the area around St. Ann's Well was part of a building site and, without the opportunity to take another good look at this magnificent building, I moved on to the Pavilion Gardens and the Opera House. 

The Pavilion Gardens and Opera House

Opened in 1871 and 1903 respectively, they both deserve detailed description but it is the Devonshire Dome - a former stable block that served the needs of the residents of the Crescent and upon which the largest dome in the world was added – which forms the largest and most prominent landmark in Buxton.

The Devonshire Dome

Subsequently converted into the Devonshire Royal Hospital and now a campus for the University of Derby, I only had time to take some general photographs of its facades and - when a private function was being arranged - a few quick snaps of its interior.

A view of the interior of the Devonshire Dome

Next to the Devonshire Dome is the Palace Hotel, built in 1868, which forms another imposing landmark and alongside this are the remains of the west end of the old railway station, with its ornate cast iron fanlight.

The Palace Hotel and Buxton Railway Station

Walking back to the Pavilion Gardens and up to The Slopes, another public garden which is set on rising ground formed by the underlying Carboniferous Limestone, the facades of the Old Hall Hotel – like many others in this part of the town - hide an older building.

The Old Hall Hotel

Stopping briefly at the War Memorial, to eat a packed lunch, I then continued up the hill past Buxton Museum & Art Gallery, before having a quick look at the area around the old market place, which is overlooked by Buxton Town Hall – completed in 1888.

A detail of Buxton War Memorial