Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Known as the ‘Bath of the north’, it’s the highest spa town in the UK with water that naturally flows at a glorious 28°C. Although the Romans first discovered this, it was really the Georgians that made Buxton famous – bringing with them some of the most iconic architecture in Derbyshire. From the Crescent to the Opera House to the Devonshire Dome, it really is picture perfect. Along with its history, Buxton is a bustling, arty town that’s surprisingly well connected for its location. With an international music festival, touring theatre shows and a university campus, there’s bags to do and a great community spirit.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Santiago-Buxton.jpg" alt="Plates of tapas at Santiago Buxton Derbyshire Best Places to Live" class="wp-image-6149" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Santiago-Buxton.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Santiago-Buxton-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Santiago-Buxton-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/09/Santiago-Buxton-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Santiago, Buxton </figcaption></figure>



<p>Buxtonians are fans of truly international cuisine it seems. You can scoff sushi at <a href="https://sushikaji.co.uk/">Sushi Kaji</a>, Greek delights at <a href="https://buxtonrestaurant.co.uk/">Ithaca</a>, Mexican street food at <a href="https://lonestarbuxton.co.uk/">Lonestar</a>, Thai food from <a href="https://www.khomkhai.co.uk/">Khomkhai Thai Cuisine</a> and lovely tapas at <a href="https://santiagorestaurants.co.uk/">Santiago</a>. And, just for grown ups, <a href="https://www.thebarbrasseriebuxton.co.uk/la-menu/">La Brasserie De La Cour</a> has authentic French fare. For day-time eating, there are some brilliant cafés. Bringing some Indian flair <a href="https://www.thechakralounge.co.uk/">The Chakra Lounge</a> has the best brunches and super staff. Veggies will love <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theherbgardenvegetarianbistro/">The Herb Garden</a>, and for all-round delicious lunches, you can’t go wrong at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EatatNo.5Buxton/">Eat at No.5</a> and <a href="https://www.greenpavilioncafe.co.uk/">Café at The Green Pavilion</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1542" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/288669434_10160810186402450_1786399158969211247_n.jpg" alt="Divine Trash women's and Men's fashion store Buxton Derbyshire" class="wp-image-10692" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/288669434_10160810186402450_1786399158969211247_n.jpg 2048w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/288669434_10160810186402450_1786399158969211247_n-300x226.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/288669434_10160810186402450_1786399158969211247_n-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/288669434_10160810186402450_1786399158969211247_n-768x578.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/288669434_10160810186402450_1786399158969211247_n-1536x1157.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Divine Trash</figcaption></figure>



<p>Tourists and locals love <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CavendishArcadeBuxton/">The Cavendish Arcade</a> for boutique shopping in a glorious setting. Originally one of the bath houses, it’s now home to some lovely boutiques. <a href="https://atticusboo.com/">Atticus Boo</a> is packed with great gifts, and <a href="https://www.wildolivestore.com/">Wild Olive</a> has organic soaps and bath products made in the Peak District. For clothes, <a href="https://www.divinetrash.co.uk/">Divine Trash</a> has some of the coolest women&#8217;s and menswear, and <a href="https://jantar.co.uk/">Jantar</a> sells quirky jewellery for the magpies in your family.&nbsp;Art lovers, head to Muddy Award-winning gallery <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/jarva-fine-art-buxton/">Jarva Fine Art</a> in the arches of The Crescent Hotel. <a href="https://www.isladirect.co.uk/">Isla Fine Art, Cards and Gifts</a> is great for gifts and you can pick up some lovely homeware just round the corner at <a href="https://everythingsrosybuxton.myshopify.com/">Everything’s Rosy Interiors</a>. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeerBuxton/">Beer District</a> is a fab indie bottle shop with loads of local ales, wines and ciders.<br><br>As with any market towns, there are a few Buxton institutions. <a href="https://www.hargreavesofbuxton.com/">Hargreaves &amp; Sons</a> is over 150 years old, and now sells homeware and kitchenware (plus there’s a cute café upstairs). And with an equally impressive history, <a href="https://www.pottersofbuxton.co.uk/">Potters</a> is a classic department store stocking some great clothing brands. <a href="https://scrivenersbooks.co.uk/">Scrivener&#8217;s bookshop</a> is a treasure trove for bookworms, and the completely unique <a href="https://www.facebook.com/maggiemaysbuxton">Maggie Mays antique shop</a> is always worth a nose round.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>As befits a spa town, there are three contemporary spas to pick from – <a href="https://devonshire-spa.co.uk/">The Devonshire Spa</a> (under the magnificent dome), <a href="https://ensanahotels.com/en/hotels/buxton-crescent/spa">Buxton Cresent Spa</a> and the <a href="https://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels/palace-hotel-buxton">Palace Hotel</a>. For yogis, there’s <a href="https://www.iyengaryogabuxton.co.uk/">Iyengar Yoga Buxton</a>, <a href="https://www.theyogadenbuxton.co.uk/">The Yoga Den</a> and <a href="https://www.peakyoga.org.uk/">Peak Yoga</a>. For those who need a kick up the bum to get the Lycra on, try Accidental Fitness which offers fell-good clubbercise, Zumba and yoga classes for those who need a bit of motivating. In summer, you can zen out at the annual <a href="https://paviliongardens.co.uk/events/buxton-health-and-healing-festival/">health and healing festival</a> in the Pavilion Gardens.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>The community and social scene is big in Buxton. As well as the world-famous Buxton International Festival, there are a smattering of other community festivals and gatherings. Eat in the Park is a family-friendly music, food &amp; drink festival which takes place in the Pavilion Gardens in mid-August, there’s an autumn beer festival, while each July there’s a Well Dressing Festival complete with carnival.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>Buxton really is all about the architecture. The breath-taking <a href="https://www.ensanahotels.com/buxton/en">Crescent Hotel</a> is one of the reasons that Buxton is known as one of <em>the</em> spa towns in the UK. After a huge renovation project, it’s been restored to its former Georgian glory. Just opposite, <a href="https://www.visitbuxton.co.uk/st-anns-well/">St Anne’s Well</a> is a must-see – and as is tradition, don’t forget your water bottle.&nbsp;<a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/">Buxton Opera House</a> is touted as being one of the finest examples of theatre design by British architect Frank Matcham. It has a year-long programme of national shows and comedy, and its sister venue the Pavilion Arts Centre has its own cinema too.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The home of Buxton and Leek College, and one of Derby University’s campuses, the <a href="https://www.devonshiredome.co.uk/">Devonshire Dome</a> is open to the public and is really worth a visit. Once the largest unsupported dome in the country, it hosts the Buxton Military Tattoo and loads of great talks during the Buxton International Festival.&nbsp;For active types, follow the trail up to <a href="https://poolescavern.co.uk/woodland-walks/solomons-temple/">Solomon’s Temple</a> for epic views across the town and surrounding countryside. And for a spot of culture, <a href="https://www.thegreenmangallery.com/">The Green Man Gallery</a> hosts a variety of art classes, and <a href="https://buxtonmuseumandartgallery.wordpress.com/">Buxton Museum</a> has some excellent exhibitions about the history of the Peak District.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-LANDSCAPE-93.jpg" alt="Buxton International Festival  opera singer in white gown on a platform" class="wp-image-1912" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-LANDSCAPE-93.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-LANDSCAPE-93-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-LANDSCAPE-93-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-LANDSCAPE-93-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2022/10/IN-ARTICLE-LANDSCAPE-93-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Buxton International Festival </figcaption></figure>



<p>Buxton is home to the <a href="https://buxtonfestival.co.uk/">Buxton International Festival</a>, and the <a href="https://www.buxtonfringe.org.uk/">Fringe</a>. Bringing some of the best opera, jazz and speakers to the town over two weeks in July, the festival has transformed over recent years and is starting to attract a younger audience of music lovers. The Fringe is one of the biggest in the country (between Edinburgh and Brighton) and takes over the streets with art and theatre.&nbsp;<a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/">Buxton Opera House</a> is absolutely stunning – it’s heralded as one of the finest examples of Frank Matcham theatre design in the country. And it offers a year-long programme of dance, theatre, comedy and more from national companies.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-price">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>Properties in Buxton had an overall average price of £271,895 – 2% up on the previous year and 15% up on the 2020 peak of £232,256.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/buxton-house.jpg" alt="A handsome 5 bed period property in sought-after Sylvan Cliff. On the market for £450,000." class="wp-image-8527" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/buxton-house.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/buxton-house-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/04/buxton-house-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A handsome 5 bed period property in sought-after Sylvan Cliff. <a href="https://www.bridgfords.co.uk/properties/18883443/sales/BUX240033#/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £450,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>For littlies, Ofsted have given <a href="https://www.greenlanenurseryltd.co.uk/">Green Lane Nursery</a> and the <a href="https://www.serpentinenurseryschool.co.uk/">Serpentine Nursery</a> an Outstanding rating. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>There’s plenty of primaries to choose from. <a href="https://www.buxton-inf.derbyshire.sch.uk/">Buxton Infant School</a> is Outstanding, while <a href="http://www.burbage.derbyshire.sch.uk/">Burbage Primary School</a> and <a href="https://www.buxtonjuniorschool.co.uk/">Buxton Junior School</a> are both Good. Older kids will be at either <a href="https://www.buxton.derbyshire.sch.uk/">Buxton Community School</a> (rated Good) or <a href="https://www.stthomasmorebuxton.srscmat.co.uk/">St Thomas Moore</a> (Requires Improvement&#8217; on its latest Ofsted) – there’s a bit of healthy rivalry between kids at these schools too. For private schools, your closest option is <a href="https://www.sanselms.co.uk">S. Anselm’s</a> in Bakewell, about 20 mins away. It offers day school and flexi boarding for boys and girls aged 2 – 16 yrs. Further afield, well-respected prep school <a href="https://www.msmcollege.com/prep" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barlborough Hall</a> and all-rounder <a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/review-mount-st-marys-college-derbyshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mount St Mary&#8217;s</a> are within shooting distance too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret"><strong>BEST KEPT SECRET</strong></h2>



<p>Inside the grand architecture of the Buxton Crescent, there’s a fantastic <a href="https://www.ensanahotels.com/en/hotels/buxton-crescent/spa">spa</a> that takes inspiration from the town’s original heritage: mineral water. Get some well earned R&amp;R in the Finish sauna, rooftop pool and steam rooms.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>It’s just over an hour’s drive to Manchester, and trains are just under 1 hr.<br>For Buxton to London, it’s under 4 hrs drive. Or nip to Macclesfield (30 mins away) and get the train, which will take you around 2 hrs.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


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