The Pump Room Buxton

The Pump Room, Buxton, Derbyshire

The Pump Room in Buxton opened in 1884 and is the work of architect Henry Currey. A decade later in 1894, the Duke of Devonshire presented the building to the town.

It is located next to The Crescent (now fully restored) and St Ann’s Well and was at the heart of the Buxton bathing experience. It was here, for a charge of one penny, that more well-off visitors could sip the waters in relative privacy and relax. So-called Well Women would serve the guests with water in exchange for tips.

The now restored Pump Room, Buxton

History

After the Roman Baths in Bath, Somerset, the second most important Roman spa in ancient Britain, was at Buxton, south of Manchester and Stockport on the western edge of the Peak District.

In the Roman era, the town was known as Aquae Arnemetiae, and when taking the waters again became popular in Victorian times, Buxton enjoyed an architectural renaissance with the coming of the railway from Manchester in 1863.

Henry Currey was also responsible for the Natural Mineral Baths which opened in 1854 on the site of the original Roman baths. A 1980s shopping arcade, Cavendish Arcade, now occupies the site. The curved stained glass canopy here by contemporary British artist Brian Clarke is the largest in Britain.

The Pavilion Gardens date from 1871, when the 7th Duke of Devonshire suggested the idea of a “pleasure garden” to boost the amenities of the growing and increasingly prosperous town. The Concert Hall, (the Octagon) was designed by local architect, Robert Rippon Duke, and opened in 1875.

The Pump Room was last used to “take the waters” in the 1970s and closed in 1981. It subsequently became a Micrarium (the world’s first) with over 40 specialist microscopes on show, the brainchild of Dr Stephen Carter. It also served as Buxton’s Tourist Information Centre for a time.

Like The Crescent, the Pump Room has been fully restored. It is now the Buxton Visitor Centre (opened in 2019) where visitors can purchase tickets to visit The Crescent. It is also used as an event and venue for performances during the town’s various festivals.

Buxton Visitor Centre now occupies the historic building

Nearby

Other attractions in Buxton include the St Ann’s Well and the Old Hall Hotel where Mary Queen of Scots was a famous guest. The Buxton Opera House on Water Street also hosts the annual Buxton Festival. A recommended local pub is the Miltons Head.

An excellent second hand bookshop on the High Street is Scrivener’s Books & Bookbinding – The Guardian listed it in its top 10 of second hand bookshops in the UK.

Within easy reach of Buxton by car are Blue John Cavern (20 minutes) and the pleasant village of Eyam, 25 minutes on the A623. Chatsworth House is a 30-minute drive west also on the A623. Sheffield is a 50-minute drive on the A57 or A625 and A6.

Cavendish Arcade with glass canopy by Brian Clarke

Access – Getting There

The Pump Room
The Crescent
Buxton
SK17 6BQ
Tel:
01298 214577

The town of Buxton in Derbyshire is on the A6 south of Stockport. There are trains to Buxton from Piccadilly Station in Manchester. The 199 bus also connects Buxton to Manchester Airport. From Derby, the spa town is about an hour or just less on the A515.

Where to Stay in Buxton

Buxton has some great places to stay to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and the town’s lively festivals.

As well as the five-star Ensana Buxton Crescent Hotel and the historic Old Hall Hotel, try the Portland Hotel, the Palace Hotel or the Best Western Plus Buxton Lee Wood Hotel.

The Portland Hotel offers traditional furnishings and a full English breakfast. The Palace Hotel dates from Victorian times and includes a swimming pool and a restaurant. The Westminster Hotel overlooks the Pavilion Gardens and is a family-run establishment.

See here for a listing of accommodation in Buxton to suit all budgets.