Family Concerns

Buxton in the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire has always been a favourite Peak District luxury accommodation destination but is well known for a number of different reasons as well. Not least of which is the fact that is the highest town of its size in the UK today, it is known as the capital of the High Peak region of the park , and of course it is also world famous for the medicinal (purportedly) properties of its spa and spring waters

The existence of ancient places of celebration and gathering have dated back over three thousand years before the arrival Of the Romans to the area in around 70 AD.

The Romans established the original settlement here calling it Aquae Arnemetiae or the spa of the goddess of the grove and in true Roman fashion set about building a bath house above the area now known as St Anne’s well.

The Towns original development was to all intents and purposes relatively low key right up until the 18th century when the Fifth Duke of Devonshire commissioned John Carr to build an inspiring and luxurious Georgian Crescent that was to emulate a similar development in Bath and become a magnet to the gentry of the age.

Carr went on to build other notable architecture in the area including a riding school for the then Duke of Devonshire. The Riding school has evolved over a period of time to become firstly a great hospital and latterly home to the University of Derby.

The building also boasts the largest known and still surviving unsupported slate in the world.

The development of Buxton continued at a pace and it wasn’t many years before the Town became renowned across England and went on to become one of the favourite centres of culture and a sought after holiday resort for the rich and famous of the Victorian era wanting to visit the many fine examples of Peak District luxury accommodation that were now available.

Buxton has been developed on a series of small hills in the region and couple with the large areas of greenery this makes the Peak District holiday cottages here very sought after. Buxton is also home to the oldest hotel in the world (unless you know different) which has a guest list which includes Mary Queen of Scots

For more culturally focussed visitors Buxton has a wealth of culture attractions and architecture that are a marvel to behold including a miniature crystal palace and the recently restored Buxton Opera house which has a full season of operatic and musical events throughout the year.

Another very notable annual event is the Buxton Festival, the largest `Fringe’ Festival in England, which takes place in July each year and coincides with the town’s Well Dressing Festival, with a Carnival Procession through the town on the second Saturday in the month.

Buxton probably though apart from its majestic Peak District surrounding most notably know for its spring water which by all accounts takes around 5000 years to filter the porous limestone rocks of the region before breaking surface in the centre of the town.

You don’t have to buy bottled Buxton water of course as it is freely available to the public by St Anne’s well, you may find it a bit warm for your liking though so the chilled bottled variety is a lot more refreshing on a hot summers day.

A visit to Buxton as part of your holiday to this delightful region or as part of your Peak District break will be a rewarding experience all round.