What to See & Do: 48 hours in Buxton

Enjoy lunch in the scenic surroundings of the Pavilion Gardens, a Grade II listed historic venue which superbly shows off the Victorian splendour of Buxton, with a cafe serving delicious home-cooked food.

Walk up to Solomon's Temple for a panoramic view of the town and surrounding countryside. A guided tour of the cavern will take around 45 minutes. There's a great cafe too if you fancy coffee and cake.

Use Buxton Town Guide to find choice of restaurant and drinks venue, or possibly choose a show at the opera house or Pavilion Arts Centre.

Head out on a Go Ape adventure or enjoy some retail therapy in the Pavilion Gardens gift boutique and Gallery in the Gardens which showcases original artwork from over 40 local artisans, the Cavendish Arcade offers specialist and boutique shopping, and Higher Buxton, where the town’s traditional market place is home to some wonderful independent retailers.

Explore the pedestrianised Spring Gardens, the principal shopping street of the town with independent and major national retailers. Not forgetting an exciting new venture, the Arches, an old corn mill that has been transformed into an artisan market (open Thursday-Sunday).

Buxton Market itself is to be found on the market place Tuesdays and Saturdays. There are many excellent coffee shops in the town to take a coffee break.

Visit the Buxton Museum (closed Mondays), fresh from a major refurbishment, for an excellent insight into Buxton’s past and the Green Man Gallery next door which showcases and sells many wonderful works of local art (closed Thursdays).

Walk up the hill past the town’s historic marketplace to Scrivener’s , a real find for bibliophiles! Stored over 5 floors you will find an amazing collection of rare, antique and second hand books, which has won the bookstore the accolade of The Observer’s comment “five floors of dusty ,toppling heaven for the bibliophile…”

On the way back down the hill, pop into Potters - a truly original ladies' and gentlemen’s outfitters with a bygone charm of its own.

Take a late lunch - browse the list in the Buxton Town Guide… and make your choice.

Walk up to Corbar Cross-(following the route in the Buxton Guide and Souvenir booklet) for a panoramic view of the town on one side and the Peak District on the other.

Have a welcome and earned pre dinner drink, before dining out and then taking in a show at the opera house or a visit to a local pub depending on your choice the first night.

Looking to have an awesome adventure out in the Peak District? Then why not hire an e-bikes, perfect for friends and families. Peak Ascent offer an E-bike Hire service, which caters for parties of up to four on hybrid E-bikes.

At just £55 per day per bike (£40 for half a day) its a fun and environmentally friendly way to explore.

To find out more or to book your bike call on 01298 299011 or send an e-mail to patrick@peakascentcycles.co.uk to book in advance.