History comes alive in Buxton this Bank Holiday

Buxton’s historic centre will come alive this August Bank Holiday as centuries of history are brought to life through living history displays, music, traditional crafts and family activities during Buxton Heritage Weekend.

Taking place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August, along The Crescent, in the Pump Room and the Assembly Rooms, the two-day festival will celebrate the town’s remarkable past with heritage talks, hands-on workshops, living history interpreters, vintage vehicles, traditional games, local food producers and live entertainment.

Whether you’re planning a family day out, meeting friends in town or simply looking for somewhere different to explore, Buxton Heritage Weekend offers something for everyone. Stay for an hour or make a day of it – there will be activities, performances and discoveries around every corner.

Two days packed with history, creativity and community

Visitors can enjoy:

• Live performances including George Formby tributes, Johnny Victory and gramophone greats.
• Hands-on workshops where visitors can try traditional crafts including rag rugging and creating fabric flowers through the ages.
• Talks and demonstrations uncovering Buxton’s spa heritage, fascinating local characters and remarkable stories. Highlights include local historian Julian Cohen and Dave Carlisle, Buxton F.C. mascot and Chair of the Friends of Buxton Station, giving a talk exploring the remarkable life of Frank Soo.
• Living history interpreters featuring Late Roman Tungarians, the English Civil War and the 24th Virginia Infantry.
• Historic vehicles, traditional fairground rides and classic children’s games.
• A Taste of Local History with Derbyshire bakers, brewers and cheesemakers.
• Made in Buxton displays, stitching demonstrations and medieval trading.
• Opportunities to explore Hargreaves, Potters and Clowes, three of Buxton’s most fascinating historic businesses.

• Taking part in A Slice of Family History, an open invitation for anyone to share their family’s baking traditions and bring along a treasured family cake to be tasted and judged. The competition is jointly sponsored by Hargreaves of Buxton and Buxton Pudding Emporium, with prizes generously donated by both heritage businesses.

….and much more besides.

“Buxton has an extraordinary story to tell, and Buxton’s Heritage Weekend is a wonderful opportunity to bring those stories to life,” said Simon Wallwork, CEO of Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust.

“From meeting Roman soldiers and trying traditional crafts to enjoying live music and spending time with family and friends, there’s something to inspire visitors of every age. We hope people leave with an even greater appreciation of what makes Buxton such a special place. While we’re celebrating the town’s rich history, we’re also celebrating the community that continues to shape its future.”

Many activities are free to enjoy, with others available at a small charge. Visitors are encouraged to plan their weekend by downloading the full programme from the Trust’s website or picking up a printed guide from the Pump Room.

Keep the celebrations going on Bank Holiday Monday

The celebrations continue on Bank Holiday Monday with the return of the popular Gardeners’ Market at the Pump Room from 10am–4pm.

Browse a fantastic selection of locally grown plants, meet the passionate growers behind them and pick up ideas for your own garden. Organised by the Buxton Garden Trail team, this friendly mini market celebrates Buxton’s thriving gardening community in one of the town’s most beautiful heritage settings.

This time, visitors on the day can also discover three new stalls:

• The Future is Flowery – a Buxton-based qualified freelance florist specialising in biodegradable designs
• The Garden Library – a community hub offering free gardening books, seeds, and inspiration for local growers.
• The Flock Coffee Van – serves specialist coffee with a warm, community‑first vibe, bringing high‑quality brews to Buxton’s outdoor spaces.
• Black Bramble – A “pop-up” shop for the day from independent home and lifestyle shop based in the Grade-I listed Cavendish Arcade

It’s the perfect way to round off the Bank Holiday weekend.

A weekend to celebrate Buxton’s past, present and future

Buxton Heritage Weekend offers residents and visitors one final opportunity to make the most of the summer while discovering the people, places and stories that have shaped the town for centuries.

For the full programme, you can pick up a leaflet from the Pump Room or visit the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust website https://buxtoncrescentexperience.com/tour/buxton-heritage-weekend-2026/