Buxton is a medium sized, picturesque town that lies in the natural hollow of a valley plateau, right on the fringe of the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire. Despite this location the town is still situated at almost 1,000 feet above sea level, making it the highest town of its size in England.

The River Wye has its source in Buxton and as it flows downhill to join the River Derwent it forms one of the area's most important and impressive Rivers. The nearby Goyt Valley slopes away in the opposite direction and this is where one of the sources of the River Mersey rises. Here is an area of green, rolling hills and steep, twisting valleys where every turn is a completely different vista.

These Springs were believed to have many beneficial healing properties and Buxton had probably become a place of Pilgrimage from as early as the Middle Ages. It was even visited by Mary Queen of Scots, when the Earl of Shrewsbury at nearby Chatsworth House held her captive there.

The many famous and wealthy people that visited this town over the centuries left their mark in the magnificent Architecture that can be seen today. Perhaps the most important of these was the 5th Duke of Devonshire who commissioned the building of the Crescent in 1780.

Today Buxton is a thriving town. The Crescent has now been transformed into a magnificent Shopping Centre but still retains much of its original character, including one of the original Thermal Baths complete with a wooden chair on a hoist above it.

The Old Hall Hotel forms the remainder of the Grade 1 listed Building Complex that comprises the Crescent, Former Thermal Baths and Old Hall Hotel. The Old Hall Hotel was used as a Town House by Bess of Hardwick and her Husband the Earl of Shrewsbury. This is where they stayed when they visited Buxton.

Nearby there is another well maintained Public Park, called the Slopes. As its name suggests this Park sits at the top of a mound overlooking the town centre.

Telephone: 01298 25106.

Since Buxton is one of the most principal towns in the region it is very well sign-posted and has excellent transport links

If you are visiting by Bus there is a Trans-Peak Bus that runs from Derby to Manchester via Matlock, Bakewell and Buxton. This runs every hour during the Summer months and every two hours during the Winter.

I have visited Buxton on many different occasions over the years since it is only a 30-minute drive from where I live in Sheffield. The last time that I visited, about 3 years ago, the Crescent was closed for renovation so when I visited Buxton last Sunday this was my first opportunity to go there and I was very impressed.

In hindsight however, during my recent visit Car Parking would have actually been quite easy since it poured it down with rain all day and many people had decided to stay at home.