Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

About Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

After the railway reached Buxton in 1863, the spa town wanted pleasure gardens to match. Edward Milner designed them on land given by the 7th Duke of Devonshire, building on Joseph Paxton's earlier Serpentine Walks. The gardens opened in August 1871 and were extended to 23 acres in 1876. Visitors originally paid to come in through turnstiles.

The gardens passed to the local council in 1927. A £4.5 million restoration, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, was completed in 2004, and Historic England now lists the park at Grade II*. Today it is a busy town park and events venue, with the Octagon concert hall and other Victorian buildings alongside.

What to see

• Lakes and river: the River Wye runs through the gardens in two branches, one with cascades and footbridges, the other linking three lakes, the last with a fountain.
• Conservatory: a Victorian glasshouse, designed by Milner, with tropical plants and a fish pond.
• Lawns, shrubberies and trees: with a bandstand, a sundial and a tree sculpture.
• Family attractions: rowing boats and pedalos, a miniature train and two play areas.

Planning your visit

The gardens are in the centre of Buxton. The pay and display car park on St John's Road (SK17 9AR) has 199 spaces, 15 of them for disabled drivers, and toilets. The ground floor of the Pavilion building is fully wheelchair accessible, and there are several accessible toilets, including a Changing Places facility.

The boating lake and miniature train run at weekends and in school holidays, depending on the weather. Boats cost £10 for 30 minutes for up to four people. The building has a café, bar and retail arcade, and over 100 events are held each year.