On the trail of Buxton’s heritage
Aimed at locals and visitors alike, the trail has been launched by the Buxton Town Team volunteer group
Buxton’s rich history, from Stone Age and Roman settlements to Georgian and Victorian architectural gems, is revealed in a new heritage trail.
Aimed at locals and visitors alike, the trail has been launched by the Buxton Town Team volunteer group to coincide with the unveiling of a new statue of a Roman centurion in the Pavilion Gardens.
The route takes in 18 heritage locations in a two-hour walk around the town. The trail is detailed on a map and also on the free Buxton Explorer smartphone app, along with 50 other heritage sites of interest,
The new app has been designed by Town Team member Doug Colton, who also came up with the idea of the heritage trail.
“Buxton has lovely Georgian and Victorian architecture and visitors love the Opera House and the Crescent – but there is so much more to see,” says Doug.
“Our Roman and Stone Age history – including some of the most amazing and unique things about Buxton – is largely overlooked.”
“Other towns, like Glossop and New Mills, have plaques and heritage trails. Now we have one of our own, so that visitors and residents can understand more about Buxton’s heritage gems.”
Doug is also responsible for the new centurion, which stands on the site of an old tree trunk carved to celebrate Buxton’s many facets.
“When the original tree sculpture - which included a centurion - was taken down, I was conscious that we didn’t have anything to celebrate Buxton’s Roman past, especially with the museum closing down,” he says. “I thought that was a shame.”
The new sculpture also celebrates the late Brian Shepherd, who led the Friends of the Pavilion Gardens group which is now part of the Town Team.
“Brian was passionate about the Pavilion Gardens and Buxton’s Roman past,” says Doug.
“He led tours of Roman Buxton and the funds supported the work of the Friends.”
Funds for the new sculpture, carved from durable cypress, included donations from the Bingham Trust and the now-defunct Buxton Roman Society, which decided to gift its residual funds to the project.
The Buxton Heritage Trail leaflet also includes the Pavilion Gardens Tree Trail, giving details of 40 different species – native, cultivated and introduced – across the 23-acre site. Visitors can also download the free PG Tree app, designed by Doug.
The map leaflet is available from the Pump Room Visitor Centre and can be downloaded from www.buxtontownteam.org