Buxton Pavilion Gardens

The park was designed by Edward Milner for the Buxton Improvements Company, following the arrival of the railway to Buxton in 1863. It was opened in August 1871 on a 12-acre site (on the land of the Hall Gardens, given by the 7th Duke of Devonshire) and in 1876 was extended to its present 23 acres of gardens and lakes. There was originally an admission charge to enter the gardens via a ticket office with turnstiles. Milner's design was a development of the 1830s landscape design of the Serpentine Walks (along the River Wye) by Joseph Paxton for the 6th Duke of Devonshire, on what was previously the private gardens of Buxton Old Hall. The three original rustic bridges were removed in…

A series of Grade II listed Victorian buildings overlook the Gardens from its northern boundary with a wide promenade in front. The main Pavilion and Conservatory are cast-iron and glass structures from 1870, designed by Milner in the style of London's Crystal Palace. The two-storey central hall of the Pavilion (which now houses the café) was rebuilt in 1983 after a fire. The Conservatory was originally used as a small concert hall with a stage and organ. In 1982 it was remodelled as a greenhouse conservatory with tropical plants and a fish pond. The Pavilion was extended with the construction in 1875 of the Octagon Concert Hall (by Robert Rippon Duke). With capacity for 800 people, the…

The 9.5 ha site of the Pavilion Gardens lies in the valley of the River Wye. Two tributaries of the river run through the park along landscaped courses. The northern branch spills over cascades and under footbridges whilst the southern branch connects three man-made lakes, the last of which has a fountain. The listed park covers a longer stretch of the River Wye valley, covering 14 ha in total including the adjoining Serpentine park and Branksome Woods. In 2004 a major restoration of the Pavilion Gardens was completed with a contribution of £3.3m from Heritage Lottery funding. New facilities included a Victorian-style bandstand (used for summer band concerts and weddings), play areas, an…