Being an account of my visit to Buxton in the county of Derbyshire,on the thirteenth day of June in the year 2024 A.D.
Our trip to Buxton boarded and departed for the spa town under fair skies, although auguries at the Meteorological Office had warned of precipitation before the day was o’er.
The journey took us through much picturesque landscape, but we fortunately avoided interception by the brigands and footpads often infesting such wild and romantic locales.
Arriving at approximately eleven-twenty of the clock, we debouched from our carriage before the Pump Room. Some of our party then embarked upon a guided-tour of the magnificent Buxton Crescent*, learning of the healing waters and those persons of quality associated with its environs, most notably his grace the Fifth Duke of Devonshire. Others preferred a more leisurely employment of their time; wandering the Pavilion Gardens, and encountering flocks of colonial water fowl, before repairing to said pavilion for beverages and sweetmeats, and taking advantage of its invaluable water-closet. An ingenious galvanic device therein enabled a rapid drying of hands, although it produced a cacophony greater than Bonaparte’s cannonade at Waterloo.
The town itself was amply supplied with sundry coffee-houses, retail establishments and an oriental couple providing Christian hymns in the very street. It was pleasant indeed to see this harmonious consequence of missionary work abroad. The Opera House was an impressive structure for those of a theatrical bent, although the Art gallery and Museum was closed due to structural investigations. This was disappointing since I am a connoisseur of the graphic arts, my collection of etchings being renowned amongst the local gentry.
A short trip to Poole’s Cavern is essential for the troglodytes amongst us, although I am informed that some of the natural structures within are of an indecent nature and should be avoided by unmarried ladies. There are many taverns and ale-houses for those who require alcoholic sustenance rather than the medicinal spring-water readily available at St. Anne’s Well and other places. That late traitor Mary Queen of Scots regularly took treatments for ague and rheumatics at Buxton, and one cannot but wonder if her sufferings were not just reward for papist plotting.
Alas, as predicted, rain did commence toward the end of our visit, but I am sure this did not greatly diminish the enjoyment of my fellow travellers; and we boarded our vehicle at three thirty for a safe return to the quaint market town of Doncaster.
Stephen Cuffling

*Buxton Crescent.
Was built by William Cavendish, 5th duke of Devonshire, in 1780`s, to rival Bath as a Spa town. The Crescent provide two hotels and six lodging houses.
Wendy had arranged a private tour for U3A members, which most of us took advantage of.
The guide took us through a series of nine rooms, telling the history of the building, and the people who came seeking the curative properties of the water. From it’s Georgian hey day, the Victorian era and its decline and restoration to modern times.
The highlights of the tour were a virtual reality balloon ride over the site, demonstrating the layout of the buildings. Also a visit to a Georgian Doctor, presenting with a variety of complaints of the era, to experience the cures and medicines of the day. They were mostly ineffective and some potentially harmful, and some quite repulsive. Our tour was interesting and informative, and the ninety minutes went quickly.
Catherine Farmer