Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust to Pass on VAT Reductions as part of the Chancellor’s “Great British Summer Savings Scheme”

Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust has confirmed that it will be passing on the Chancellor’s newly announced VAT reductions directly to visitors, with the changes taking effect from 25 June 2026.

The announcement forms part of the Government’s new “Great British Summer Savings Scheme”, introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to help ease cost‑of‑living pressures for families during the school holidays. Key national measures include:

• A temporary VAT cut to 5% on children’s meals and family tickets for theme parks, museums, heritage attractions and cinemas, running until 1 September 2026.
• Free bus travel for children aged 15 and under across England throughout August.

By passing on the VAT reduction in full, the Trust will ensure that admission to the Buxton Crescent Experience becomes even more affordable at a time when families are planning their summer activities. From 25 June 2026, ticket prices will reduce to £13.08 for adults and £2.18 for children aged 8–11, with children under 7 continuing to go FREE. All prices quoted exclude booking fee that applies to online bookings.

Simon Wallwork, Chief Executive of Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust, said: “We welcome the Chancellor’s announcement and are pleased to pass these savings directly to our visitors. As a heritage charity, we are committed to keeping Buxton’s history open, engaging and accessible for everyone. These reductions will help families enjoy meaningful days out without stretching their budgets.”

Families visiting the Buxton Crescent Experience this summer can enjoy a wide range of hands‑on, heritage‑themed activities designed to spark curiosity and bring Buxton’s stories to life. Young explorers can dress up in historic costumes, follow our Discovery Trails, and get stuck into interactive exhibits across nine immersive rooms.

Alongside the main experience, the Trust is hosting a full programme of family‑friendly summer events, including:

• An Evening with the Puppet Folk Experience on 18 July
• Bee‑Pebbly Treasure Hunt on 25 & 26 July
• Creative Crafternoons on 7 & 21 August
• Crescent Crafts Family Activities on 10 & 17 August
• The ever‑popular Buxton Heritage Weekend over the August Bank Holiday.

It’s a season packed with play, creativity and discovery for all ages. Full details can be found at https://buxtoncrescentexperience.com/whats-on/

Supporting Families This Summer

The VAT cut and free bus travel scheme sit alongside a busy summer programme in Buxton and the wider Peak District, including:

• Family‑friendly events at the Crescent Experience, with hands‑on activities, costumed interpretation and interactive storytelling
• Free or low‑cost outdoor options across the town, such as Pavilion Gardens, Poole’s Cavern woodland trails and the Serpentine Walks
• Heritage Open Days in late August

With reduced ticket prices, free bus travel for children in August and a packed local events calendar, families will have more opportunities than ever to enjoy Buxton’s cultural, natural and historic attractions.

Open daily, 10.30am to 4.00pm (with last entry at 3.00pm), The Crescent Experience can be booked online at www.BuxtonCrescentExperience.com or in-person in the Pump Room, Buxton’s Visitor Information Centre.