Derbyshire County Council says a new chapter for Buxton Museum is about to begin as the finishing touches to its temporary home are being completed.

The county council owns and runs Buxton Museum and says the building next to Buxton Library which will become the new short term home for the museum is ‘taking shape’.

A DCC spokesperson said: “We know many of you are eager to visit our new temporary home at Kents Bank, next to the library in Buxton, and we’re just as keen to welcome you through the doors. However, the building is not ready for public access yet.

“We’ve got a few more safety and security features to install before it’s suitable for visitors and museum objects alike.

Work is underway to move Buxton Museum and Art Gallery into its own dedicated temporary building next to the library on Kents Bank Road.

placeholder image — Work is underway to move Buxton Museum and Art Gallery into its own dedicated temporary building next to the library on Kents Bank Road.

“In the meantime, the collections team are busy shaping what this new space will offer.

“To start with, the displays will tell the story of Buxton, from its remarkable past to the people and events that have shaped the town, alongside objects acquired during our three-year closure. “Those of you familiar with the famous Wonders of the Peak gallery at our previous address on Terrace Road may recognise some star artefacts but we can also promise some items that no one has seen before.”

Alongside the exhibits, the gift shop will be making a return.

The county council says once they are up and running, they will also be planning a programme of events.

The museum was based on Terrace Road in Buxton but was temporarily closed in June 2023 after dry rot was discovered in the building and, almost a year later, Derbyshire County Council announced the museum would not be reopening and was put up for sale.

The museum then relocated temporarily inside Buxton Library.

It is now being given its own space next to the library.

But the council says it will be continuing to ‘gather audience information, paving the road to a larger more permanent venue in the heart of town’.

One of the Buxton Museum pieces, Nigerian Ancestor by Ben Enwonwu, will not be out on display in the new temporary home.

It will be travelling to London and displayed at the Barbican in London as part of a major exhibition running from June to September 2026.

This loan, DCC says, is a fantastic opportunity to share Buxton Museum and Art Gallery’s collection with a ‘wider audience and to see one of our important objects presented in a new context’.

Speaking about the new Buxton museum venue the DCC spokesperson added: “This is a new chapter for the museum, smaller and more intimate, and we can’t wait to share it with you soon.

“Thank you for your continued support, we’re looking forward to welcoming you back soon.”