Taking the water

A couple of weeks ago we spent a weekend in Derbyshire. I had never visited this part of the UK, so it has been on my list of places to see for a long time. Despite a rather dismal weather forecast for the weekend, our stay in Buxton did not disappoint.

Since Roman Times, visitors have been coming to take the waters at Buxton and modern-day visitors can still do the same.

This is St Ann's well, where the famous Buxton water still runs freely, indeed a local filled several bottles from the well just after I had taken this photo. Naturally, bottled Buxton water is also available at a price, although, surprisingly (to us anyway) the bottled water in the hotel was from further north in Harrogate!

The Crescent where the wealthy Georgians and Edwardians "took the waters" is currently under renovation but the Opera House and Pavilion are in great shape.

The Pavilion was hosting an Antiques Fair whilst we were there, so we popped in for a browse and popped back out again fairly quickly, having seen the prices! Silver tankards at £18,000 were just not on our shopping list that day :)

Despite the weather forecast the Pavilion Gardens were wreathed in sunshine for our visit and looked at their best.

Even this fellow, who is described as "big and rather ugly" in the guide book, was looking good!

But not as good as these little cuties :)

Mother Duck had her work cut out with this brood!


I had hoped to visit Hardwick Hall on this trip, as I had read that Bess of Hardwick, who had the Hall built in the 1500's was a fantastic needlewoman and there were samples of her work in the Hall, but alas the House was closed on the only day we could get there. Still, that means we will have to take another trip to Derbyshire, so I am not complaining :)

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