Great Places To Live: Buxton, Derbyshire

A thermal spa town nestled right in the middle of the Peak District in Derbyshire and full of old world charm lies Buxton. From moorland to dales and rolling hills, the Peak District is a walkers paradise covering an area of 1,440 km2. Within close proximity to Buxton, you can find Pooles Cavern & Buxton Country Park (5 mins by car), Chatsworth House a 17th century stately home (32 mins by car), Peveril Castle a ruined Norman fort (21 mins by car), Treak Cliff Cavern (21 mins by car) and Speedwell Cavern (18 mins by car).

Chatsworth House and the River Derwent

Inhabited since the Stone Age and later by the Romans who named the settlement Aquae Arnemetiae after a goddess of the grove, Buxton came into her own in the late 17th century after the Dukes of Devonshire made it their mission to develop Buxton into another Bath. Buxton boomed in popularity again a century later during Victorian times as people flocked to take the waters at there. There is clear evidence today of the fashionableness of Buxton in the architecture of the town which has some gorgeous examples of both Georgian and Victorian architecture. Buxton Crescent, Devonshire Dome, Buxton Opera House, The Pump Room and of course St Anne’s Well are all beautiful examples. There are also a wide variety of independent shops and facilities much more in keeping with this century. There is a football club, train station, skatepark, spas, library, GoApe, University of Derby, Buxton Campus, 2 golf courses, a swimming and fitness centre and The Pavilion Gardens, a restored Victorian gardens with a miniature railway, an arts centre and a botanical conservatory which holds events, fairs and live bands.

The Devonshire Dome, Buxton

For those that like socialising and eating out, the town offers a wide variety of eateries for all tastes. High street favorites like Pizza Express sit alongside sushi bars, Greek tavernas, fish and chip shops, Tex-Mex grills and of course a selection of classic British pubs like the Old Club House, a Victorian gentlemen's club turned pub, now serving Sunday roasts and pub classics. If you prefer popping out for a coffee and cake or a light lunch with friends you’ll be spoilt for choice with places such as the Olde English Tea Rooms, Vintage Tea Room and The Herb Garden Vegetarian Bistro.

Winnats Pass, Peak District

Buxton is perfectly situated for commuting to many major towns and cities orbiting the Peak District. These include Manchester, Sheffield, Macclesfield, Chesterfield, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby, and Nottingham all of which can be reached in less than 1hr 30 minutes by car. Manchester Airport is close at hand for those that travel abroad often and if the kids are thrill-seekers you’ll be happy to know that Alton Towers is only 22 miles away. Animal lovers will be pleased Peak Wildlife Park is a mere 30-minute drive away - here you and the family can actually walk with many exotic and endangered animals.

Nurseries & pre-schools: Burbage Pre-School Nursery, Green Lane Nursery, Serpentine Nursery School, Rhyme & Reason Nursery, Fairfield Infant and Nursery School, Buxton Nursery, The Willows.

Primary schools: Peak Dale Primary School, Dove Holes C Of E Primary School, Hollinsclough C of E Primary School, Burbage Primary School, Fairfield Infant and Nursery School, Harpur Hill Primary School, St Anne's Catholic Primary School, Buxton Junior School, Buxton Infant School, Fairfield Endowed C of E C Junior School.

Secondary schools: Buxton Community School, St Thomas More Catholic School, Old Sams Farm Independent School.

Heathfield Nook located on the southern outskirts of Buxton is a great location for families. 3 and 4 bedroom homes here cost from £229,995 to £332,995 and are available to purchase through the Help to Buy and Movemaker schemes. 

Featured home; Plot 4, the ‘Ennerdale’ - A 3 bedroom semi-detached family home that is absolutely flooded with natural light. Downstairs French doors make the spacious open-plan dining kitchen even airier. Whilst the generously sized lounge is a great place to relax. Upstairs, three well proportioned bedrooms, including the master with its own en suite, are joined by the modern house bathroom. This property overlooks the green. The home comes with a garage, luxury flooring and Stamp Duty paid in full. From Barratt Homes.