Need a picturesque spa town surrounded by Peak District beauty? Head to Buxton! Nestled in Derbyshire’s rolling hills, Buxton is famed for its Georgian architecture, historic spa waters, and vibrant arts scene. Whether you're relaxing in thermal baths, exploring limestone caves, or enjoying a concert in a Victorian opera house, Buxton blends elegance with adventure.

Buxton, England Highlights:

  • Visit the Buxton Crescent and Thermal Spa: Soak in mineral-rich waters at this beautifully restored 18th-century spa resort.
  • Catch a show at Buxton Opera House: A grand Edwardian theatre hosting music, drama, and the annual Buxton Festival.
  • Explore Poole’s Cavern: Discover a stunning limestone cave system with guided tours and woodland trails nearby.
  • Stroll through the Pavilion Gardens: Enjoy ornamental lakes, greenhouses, and peaceful walks in this landscaped Victorian park.
  • Climb Solomon’s Temple: Hike to this hilltop tower for panoramic views of the Peak District countryside.

Best Time to Visit Buxton, England

The best time to visit Buxton is from late spring through early autumn (May to September). You’ll enjoy mild weather for outdoor activities, summer festivals, and scenic countryside walks. Winter is quieter, with festive charm and cozy pubs.

How to Get to Buxton, England

  • By Train: Direct train service from Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton takes about 1 hour and runs frequently.
  • By Car: Buxton is located on the A6 and A515, easily accessible from Manchester (1 hour), Sheffield (1.5 hours), and Birmingham (2 hours).
  • By Bus: Regional buses connect Buxton with nearby Peak District towns like Bakewell and Matlock.

Where to Stay in Buxton, England

  • Ensana Buxton Crescent Hotel – Luxury spa hotel housed in a historic Georgian crescent with access to thermal baths.
  • The Old Hall Hotel – Charming and historic stay believed to be the oldest hotel in England, dating to the 1500s.
  • No.6 The Square – Elegant Georgian townhouse B&B across from the Pavilion Gardens and Opera House.

Best Things to Do in Buxton, England

Climb to the Top at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse


America’s tallest brick lighthouse offers epic views and iconic photo ops

Climb to the Top at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

© sbgoodwin/stock.adobe.com

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks in the town of Buxton, North Carolina is the tallest brick lighthouse in the States and second tallest in the world.

The 210-foot structure is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The Outer Banks are barrier islands on the coast of North Carolina between the Atlantic Ocean and the coastal sounds and inlets.

The first sandstone lighthouse was authorized in 1794 and completed in 1803, but was found ineffective in protecting ships from the deadly Diamond Shoals, the area of shifting sandbars known for massive storms.

The existing Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was first lit in 1870, throwing a beam of light 20 miles into the ocean.

Next to the Cape Hatteras Light, in the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Double Keepers' Quarters, is the Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the Sea, with the exhibits that tell the story of the history, maritime heritage and natural history of the Outer Banks and the lighthouse.

46379 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920

Walk the Shifting Sands of Shelly Island


A natural phenomenon off Cape Point where beachcombing meets coastal wonder

Walk the Shifting Sands of Shelly Island

© Sean Board/stock.adobe.com

Shelly Island started its life in April 2017 as a sandbank in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Located in Buxton, North Carolina, off the tip of Cape Point, the island was drastically reduced by Hurricane Maria. At its largest, the crescent-shaped island was about one mile long and over 500 feet wide. The locals named it Shelly Island because of the massive quantities of shells on its shore. But, by early 2018, the island completely disappeared. The island was located a few hundred feet from Hatteras Island, in the area known for the huge storms, named the Graveyard of the Atlantic. While small islands often appeared and disappeared in this area, Shelly Island was significant because it was much larger.

Buxton, Hatteras Island, NC

Get Lost in Local Stories at Buxton Village Books


An indie bookstore filled with beach reads, regional authors, and coastal character

Get Lost in Local Stories at Buxton Village Books

© Buxton Village Books

For book lovers, visiting Buxton Village Books while visiting Cape Hatteras is a must. Located in a quaint easily recognizable pre-Civil War house in downtown Buxton, its front room still has the shipwreck timbers with which it was originally constructed. Buxton Village Books is an independently owned, full service, coastal bookstore that caters equally to the visitors and their needs and to the locals, supplying them with reading materials. They have a notable section on books about the Outer Banks and especially Hatteras Island with some great titles for all ages and interests. There are books on Hatteras history, Ocracoke, local cookbooks, field guides and books for kids and young adults. In the store, and on their website, they offer all the newest best sellers, contemporary fiction, southern fiction, non-fiction and adventure and young adult titles and more.

47918 NC-12, Buxton, NC 27920, Phone: 252-995-4240

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

Wander the Wild Side in Buxton Woods Reserve


Hike maritime forests and spot wildlife in one of the Outer Banks’ hidden gems

Wander the Wild Side in Buxton Woods Reserve

© Kristina Blokhin/stock.adobe.com

Forming a part of the N. C. Coastal Reserve, the Buxton Woods Reserve covers 1007 acres on Hatteras Island, on the Southern Outer Banks. The Reserve is surrounded by the largest surviving tract of Maritime Evergreen Forest on the Atlantic Coastline. Nature lovers come to this pristine reserve to get back to nature along a network of hiking trails which offer access to amazing sand dunes, marshes and wetlands, all of which offer habitats for many tropical and sub-tropical species of plants and many birds. Access to the island is via Buxton from the north, or via public ferry from Ocracoke Island, from the south.

Address: Buxton Woods Reserve, 46375 Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920, 252 473 2111

Ride the Wind with Fox Watersports


Kiteboarding, windsurfing, and gear galore for thrill-seekers and water lovers

Ride the Wind with Fox Watersports

© Fox Watersports

What started in 1968 in Lantana, Florida as a small space where Ted James was selling his handcrafted surfboards, grew into one of the leaders in the surf industry and a leading manufacturer and retailer of the surfing equipment. Ted moved to Hatteras Islands in 1976 and constructed the building where the Fox Watersports is today. Fox has been the leading source for windsurfing gear on the Outer Banks since the early 80's. They offer not the best windsurfing gear available including the latest from Ezzy, JP Australia, Dakine, Oneill Wetsuits, Chinook and more. Fox has been kitesurfing since the late 90s and designed and built some of the first kiteboards that were able to stay up wind and retrofitted some of the early designs to be more user friendly. They have a great selection of gear from Wainman Hawaii, Dakine, Cabrinha, Aggression and more.

47108 NC-12, Buxton, NC 27920, Phone: 252-995-4102

Where to Eat in Buxton, England

Fuel Up on Famous Apple Uglies at Orange Blossom Bakery


Iconic pastries, fresh coffee, and island hospitality in every bite

Fuel Up on Famous Apple Uglies at Orange Blossom Bakery

© Orange Blossom Bakery

You will learn about the famous Uglies before you even arrive in Buxton, North Carolina. This big cinnamon-laced deep fried fritter with apples and oozing glaze is the trademark and the most famous product of the local bakery Orange Blossoms. The Orange Blossom Bakery is located in a converted motel and serves famous "apple uglies," pastries, organic coffee and delicious breakfast sandwiches on home made Italian bread since 1979. If you, like so many others, come just for one of the “apple uglies’, you will have to stand in a separate line that sometimes goes around the corner, called “ugly line.” The strange misshapen blob of fried dough is worth every minute you wait in the ‘ugly line.” Orange Blossom Bakery also makes special occasion cakes, even cakes made in the shape of fish for someone who has never caught any.

47206 NC-12, Buxton, NC 27920, Phone: 252-995-4109

Unwind with Flavor at Sandbar & Grille


Seafood, sunsets, and laid-back dining just steps from the water

Unwind with Flavor at Sandbar & Grille

© Sandbar & Grille

Sandbar & Grille is a popular seafood restaurant in Buxton, North Carolina, with 22 years of stormy history, literally. After three hurricanes and numerous storms, they are now operating in the third building, two previous ones being blown away by the winds. Located right on the water, with spectacular views of the sea from the spacious dining room and large deck, Sandbar and Grille specializes in the fresh fish and seafood from the local waters. They also offer sandwiches, steaks, pastas, salads and soups. There is a well-equipped arcade games room and live entertainment weekly.

49252 NC-12, Buxton, NC 27920, Phone: 252-995-3413

More Places to Eat in Buxton, England

  • The Columbine Restaurant – Intimate, family-run spot known for fine dining and British-European cuisine.
  • The Herb Garden Vegetarian Bistro – Quaint and cozy café serving delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes.
  • The Old Sun Inn – Traditional pub fare and cask ales in a warm, historic setting.

If you are interested in local events:

  • Buxton Festival (July) – A premier opera and literary event featuring international performers and authors.
  • Buxton International Festival Fringe (July) – Diverse performances in music, theatre, comedy, and more, held around the town.
  • Buxton Christmas Market (December) – Festive stalls, live music, and holiday cheer at the Pavilion Gardens.

If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Buxton, England:

  • Bakewell (25–30 min) – Explore this charming market town, famous for Bakewell pudding and riverside walks.
  • Chatsworth House (30 min) – Grand stately home with art collections, landscaped gardens, and seasonal events.
  • Castleton (20–25 min) – Visit Blue John Caverns, hike Mam Tor, or tour Peveril Castle’s ruins.
  • Lyme Park (25–30 min) – National Trust estate with deer park, formal gardens, and a mansion featured in *Pride and Prejudice*.
  • Tideswell (20 min) – Quaint village home to the “Cathedral of the Peak” and local bakeries.
  • Goyt Valley (15–20 min) – Tranquil reservoirs, scenic hiking, and peaceful moorland just west of Buxton.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Where is Buxton located?
    • Buxton is an unincorporated community on Hatteras Island near Cape Hatteras in Dare County, NC.
  • How is Buxton connected to other Outer Banks communities?
    • Buxton is linked to other Outer Banks communities such as Avon, Frisco, and Hatteras by the North Carolina Highway 12.
  • What is the most famous attraction in Buxton?
    • The Cape Hatteras Light is Buxton's most recognizable attraction and the tallest brick lighthouse in the country.
  • What museums or visitor centers are in Buxton?
    • The Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the Sea is located next to the lighthouse, offering historical exhibits and information about the area.

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