Buxton

Buxton is a Georgian spa town in Derbyshire on the edge of the Peak District, about 40 km south-east of Manchester. Northern trains run roughly hourly from Manchester Piccadilly and take about an hour, with single fares of around £8-12. The 199 bus is an alternative at £4-8, and driving along the A6 takes about an hour. Buxton sits at roughly 300 metres, making it one of the highest market towns in England, so it is often cooler than Manchester.

The town's centre is built around the Georgian Crescent, modelled on the Royal Crescent in Bath and associated with the thermal waters that made Buxton a spa. The Crescent now houses a hotel and a thermal spa, and nearby the Pump Room and St Ann's Well, where the spring water can be sampled free, show the town's spa heritage. The Pavilion Gardens, a landscaped Victorian park with a conservatory, a lake and a cafe, is a short walk away. The Buxton Opera House, a Frank Matcham theatre, stands near the station. On the southern edge of town, Poole's Cavern is a show cave with a guided tour costing about £12-15, set within Buxton Country Park, which has woodland paths and the Grin Low viewpoint tower.

A simple day plan starts with the Crescent and St Ann's Well in the morning, then a walk through the Pavilion Gardens. Lunch can be taken in the cafes around the Slopes and Spring Gardens, or the Pavilion Gardens cafe. The afternoon suits Poole's Cavern and a walk up to Solomon's Temple at Grin Low, with views over the Peak District. Visitors who want more walking can follow paths into the surrounding hills, though the day is easy without them.

April to October is the best season for the gardens and the country park, though the cavern and spa can be enjoyed in any weather. Buxton is cooler and wetter than Manchester, so a light waterproof is useful even in summer. The town is quiet on weekdays, and the Opera House festival in July brings more visitors.