Pavilion Gardens, Buxton
Set in the heart of Buxton, Pavilion Gardens has Grade II status and is included on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Historic Interest.
On this page
Location
Pavilion Gardens, St Johns Road, Buxton SK17 6BE
Parking
There is a 270 space pay and display car park on the corner of St John's Road and Burlington Road (SK17 9AR) with 8 disabled car parking spaces on the lower level.
Facilities and features
- historic parkland landscape
- floral displays
- lakes and watercourses including the River Wye
- cascades and fountain (lit at night)
- promenades and walks
- play area for children aged 0 to 6
- play area for children aged 7 to 12
- outdoor gym equipment
- surfaced multi use game area
- toilets
- bandstand
- miniature railway
- kiosk next to the lake and older children's play area (managed by the Pavilion Gardens Complex (opens new window))
The nearby Pavilion Gardens complex (opens new window) provides a café and programme of events and activities. The Buxton Opera House (opens new window) forms part of this complex along with the Conservatory.
Caring for the site
- put your litter or dog waste in the bins provided
- keep your dog under control
- follow the countryside code (PDF, 2 MB) (opens new window)
Management
You can contact us about parks anytime by completing one of our forms below.
For a general enquiry please use the form below.
If you need to report a problem in one of our parks or play areas please use one of the below forms.
Events in Pavilion Gardens
Visit the Pavilion Gardens website (opens new window) for information on events and activities in the park.
Friends of Pavilion Gardens
The park has an active and committed friends group who have been working to support the park for 10 years. They secured the funding to refurbish the children's play areas and are involved in a variety of activities including, organising and running events in the park and practical planting activities.
Parks Management Plans
The parks individual management plan will define the current and future management and maintenance of the park for a 10-year period from 2021 to 2031.
The plan aims to provide clear direction for the future management and maintenance of the park, ensuring that the park is conserved and enhanced in its entirety whilst balancing the needs of visitors and residents alike.
Pavilion Gardens and Serpentine Walks management Plan (PDF, 2 MB)
Canada Geese in the Gardens
Enjoying Wildlife Without Feeding Birds
Our parks are important shared spaces for people and wildlife alike. While feeding birds can be tempting, it can unintentionally harm both animals and visitors. Following RSPB guidance, we're asking everyone to please not feed the birds, as diseases can spread quickly when birds gather in large numbers. Instead, we encourage enjoying wildlife in ways that are healthier and more sustainable.
Feeding birds, especially geese, can lead to several problems:
- Public health risks - Leftover food and increased droppings can create unhygienic conditions. Food waste also attracts rats and other pests, which can spread harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella.
- Spread of disease amongst the bird population - When birds gather closely to feed, highly contagious diseases like bird flu can spread more easily, putting wildlife populations at risk.
- Unhealthy wildlife behaviour - Regular feeding disrupts birds' natural behaviours and diets. Birds can become overly dependent on people, less wary, and more aggressive.
- Damage to parks and habitats - Concentrated feeding causes overpopulation in certain areas, leading to overgrazed grass, damaged paths and hard surfaces, and poorer conditions for other wildlife.
You don't need to feed wildlife to enjoy it. There are lots of positive alternatives that help protect nature while still offering meaningful experiences:
- Bird spotting and wildlife watching
- Nature trails and tree trails
- Scavenger hunts and discovery activities
- Taking mindful moments outdoors for wellbeing
These activities support healthy ecosystems and help wildlife behave naturally.
Algal Bloom
Algal bloom is a natural occurrence due to the limited flow of water in the top lake and a build-up of nutrients from waterfowl droppings and feeding. It will usually clear after a few days, however, improving the overall long term water quality in the lake will also help reduce the occurrence. As a result, we are implementing a process of regular non-chemical treatment that uses a beneficial bacteria, which breaks down organic matter and consumes the excess nutrients to improve water quality. This is implemented on a bi-annual basis with a course undertaken in Spring and then again in the late summer.
