The first impression of Buxton for many visitors is the fan window of the railway station. The tracks were once spanned by an overall roof. The adjacent Midland station was an almost mirror image. Closed in 1967 it has since been demolished.
The design of the station was by J.Smith and Joseph Paxton who was also responsible for laying out "The Slopes" and the "Park Estate"
Paxton was appointed head gardener at Chatsworth in 1823 at the age of 20. According to his own account, he left immediately for Chatsworth arriving at 4.30 in the morning. Before breakfast he had surveyed the gardens, instructed the staff and met his future wife. Paxton remained at Chatsworth until 1858 where he was responsible for the construction of features such as the Great Conservatory and Emperor Fountain.
Whilst still at Chatswoth, Paxton was able to carry out some of his greatest architectural commissions including the Crystal Palace, Mentmore Towers and the Chateaux de Ferrieres near Paris.
The slopes were originally laid out in 1818 by Sir Jeffry Wyatville and re-modelled by Joseph Paxton in 1850. The pathways of these public gardens are adorned with large decorative urns.
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Henry Currey
Next to the station is the imposing Palace Hotel built in 1868 by the London architect Henry Currey. Currey was appointed architect to the 7th Duke of Devonshire and was responsible for a number of Buxton's notable buildings.
Opposite the Palace is the Quadrant, a tiered crescent of shops with offices above.
In 1875 Currey was to build the nearby Pump Room and the Natural Baths.
Currey's career included the design of several hospitals incliding St. Thomas's in London. The Duke owned much land and property in Eastbourne and here Currey was responsible for a number of notable buildings including the italianate Devonshire Park Theatre and St Peter's Church.
The Devonshire Royal Hospital, famous for it's dome was designed in 1780 by John Carr as a stable block for the 5th Duke of Devonshire. It housed up to 110 horses as well as guests and servants. In 1859 it was accommodating fewer horses and was converted by Currey into a hospital, a purpose it served unitl 2000.
The former Drinking Well is opposite.
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Architect John Penfold had his practice at Mansion House in London. He is best known today for his hexagonal post box designed in 1866. Few of these post boxes remain although this example can be seen at The Square in Buxton.
Frank Matcham
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Buxton's famous opera house was built in 1903 by Frank Matcham. He was an amazingly prolific theatre architect who together with the two architects he had helped to train was responsible for more than 200 designs. Buxton Opera House is certainly one of his finest theatres and certainly the highest above sea level.
Matcham also designed the magnificent Count Arcade in the Victoria Quarter of Leeds http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Leeds_Victoria_Quarter.jpg
Alongside the Opera House is the entrance to the Buxton Pavillion complex.
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George Street and The Square
George Street features a number of restaurants and cafes as well as the former George Hotel. To the rear of the Crescent, this area will hopefully benefit from the forthcoming refurbishments. Some of the buildings are interestingly decorated.
George Street leads directly to The Square. A fine collonaded building faces two sides of this street and contains housing, offices and restaurants.
At the other end of The Square is The Old Hall Hotel. The original Buxton Old Hall was a four storey tower built in 1573 by Bess of Hardwick. Her husband George Talbot, the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury was custodian of Mary Queen of Scots who was said to have been housed at the Hall between 1576 and 1578. Her last visit was to "Take the waters" in 1584. The 1st Duke of Devonshire rebuilt the Hall in 1670 and since 1727 the building has served as an hotel.
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Still in business after well over 100 years, Potters outfitters is something of a Buxton institution.
Many of Buxton's shops, especially those in Spring Gardens were originally fronted by graceful collonades. These fragile structures eventually succumbed to damage by road vehicles.
Still in business after well over 100 years, Potters outfitters is something of a Buxton institution.
