Less than an hour from Stockport lies a spa town that makes you feel like you've stumbled across a different world. Instead of Victorian mills and red brick, you'll find grand Georgian architecture and an iconic crescent building.
The beautiful stone buildings can be linked with the fifth Duke of Devonshire's ambitions to create a spa town to rival Bath back in the 18th century. He developed the town of Buxton and built the Buxton Crescent, complete with a ballroom and an assembly room.
Now, the Grade I listed centrepiece is a five-star hotel - Ensana Health Spa Hotel - offering spa treatments using the area's famous thermal water. The picturesque resort town, nestled within the Peak District, first became known for its natural thermal springs in Roman times.
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The Romans discovered the warm bubbling water, which rises from the earth at a constant temperature of 28C, from a spring underneath where the hotel is today. The thermal waters brought settlers around 80 AD, who then formed settlements around the baths.
In the Middle Ages, Buxton became popular with pilgrims who wanted to take to the waters for their supposed healing properties and, centuries later, it’s said that Mary Queen of Scots, who suffered badly from rheumatism, visited often to soothe her aches and pains.
Now, while bottled Buxton mineral water is sold in supermarkets, visitors can sample Buxton's water from the drinking fountain next to St Anne’s Well. Like its southern counterpart, Bath, Buxton's buildings are set within a backdrop of hills and greenery. In fact, at 300m above sea level, its the highest market town in England.
Among its architectural gems is the Devonshire Dome, which has a larger span than St Paul's Cathedral in London. It was once a hospital and is now the Buxton campus of Derby University.
Another masterpiece is the Edwardian Opera House, home of the Buxton Festival and a host of other festivals, theatre, music, and comedy shows throughout the year.
Close by is the historic Old Hall Hotel, where Mary Queen of Scots was held captive in the 16th century, while a short walk leads to the impressive Poole's Cavern - the two-million-year-old natural limestone cave on the edge of the town.
Visitors can also appreciate the peace and quiet at the restored Pavilion Gardens, which boasts 23 acres of landscaped gardens and play areas, with its formal borders, lawns, duck ponds, and a family-friendly cafe and shop.
There are plenty of independent shops and High Street stores for some retail therapy too, with the Springs Shopping Centre, Cavendish Arcade, and The Old Court House.
For a bite to eat, there's a choice of cafés, tea rooms, restaurants and pubs - making it an ideal day out or weekend away for a change of scenery.
For more information, head to https://www.visitbuxton.co.uk/
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