Vision Buxton is delighted to announce a full programme for this year’s Heritage Open Days festival, which takes place between Friday 12 and Sunday 21 September 2025.
It’s jam-packed with something for everyone, including open days, talks, walks, trails, crafts, an exhibition and a quiz.
Coordination of the programme and promotion of the festival in Buxton by Vision Buxton has again been kindly supported by a grant from Tarmac Tunstead.
Event Hosts
Regular event hosts include Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust, Buxton Parish Team (Anglican), High Peak Theatre Trust, Discover Buxton, Buxton Museum & Art Gallery, Buxton Civic Association and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust in partnership with Nestlé Waters UK. Furthermore, Buxton Local History Society, Buxton Town Team and Trinity Church, who joined the festival for the first time last year, all take part again.
In addition, we welcome for the first time: local firm Creative Heritage Consultants Ltd, who offer a guided walk, Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust, who are giving a talk on their Buildings at Risk project; Buxton Lime, who offer a talk on Tunstead Quarry; and Buxton Freemasons, who are opening up Freemason Hall on George Street for the public to have a look round.
“Buxton Freemasons have supported the local community since the formation of Freemasonry in Buxton and the High Peak over 150 years ago. It has been perceived as a secret organisation when, in fact, up to the time of the second world war, it was a high-profile community organisation. We’re delighted to be able open up our doors to the public during the Heritage Open Days festival and to share its history, community service and its achievements.”
Henry Kukiewicz, Buxton Freemasons
Architecture Activities
The national theme of the festival this year is ‘architecture’ so Buxton has much to offer! 
Many of the talks and activities follow the theme, like the new-for-this-year guided walk around some of the town’s ‘difficult buildings’ with Buxton-based architect, Kate Dickson of Creative Heritage Consultants Ltd.
In addition, Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust host a number of architecture-themed heritage activities including a quiz on Buxton’s buildings – how well do you really know the town?; two afternoons of family craft activities in The Pump Room; and a town trail which will lead you see architectural details from different historic periods – maps will be available from The Pump Room throughout the festival.
Informative Talks
Two talks may be of great interest to local residents: the first is by the new owner of Peak Buildings on Terrace Road, Nirad Solanki of Solanki Holdings, who will speak on ‘breathing new life into heritage architecture’. The second is on the Revitalising Buxton project (the redevelopment of the Spring Gardens area), given by Keith Hamilton, an architect involved with project. Both were arranged by Buxton Town Team and take place at The Pump Room, hosted by Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust.
In addition, Simon Fussell of Buxton Civic Association offers a talk at Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre about BCA’s efforts to restore the Market Place fountain; Trevor Gilman of Buxton Local History Society gives a detailed talk on the architectural features of Buxton Opera House; and Netta Christie of Discover Buxton will give a talk on brothers Micah and James Salt, highlighting the important contributions they made to the town.
Finally, for the talks programme, Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust hosts Richard Tuffrey MBE, who will give a talk on the restoration of the Grade I-listed Buxton Crescent, Natural Baths and The Pump Room.
Open Days & Other Events
As well as Freemason Hall, venues opening their doors for ‘open days’, include Trinity Church, St John’s Church, Christ Church Burbage, the Crescent Assembly Rooms and Buxton Opera House.
Nestlé Waters and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust offer their guided walk around Lightwood again, to share the latest information on their conservation and land management work: a must for anyone interested in the flora, fauna and heritage of the site.
And we’re pleased that Buxton Museum & Art Gallery is able to offer another special pop-up exhibition, this time at their temporary home of Buxton Library on Kent’s Bank Road. Handle some real local artefacts, ask questions to the museum team, and say hello to the famous Buxton bear!
Find out More
All events in the HOD festival (12-21 September) are free, although donations by hosts are welcome, and those with limited spaces, such as the guided walks and the quiz, require booking.
See the full programme, including details of how to book, on the Visit Buxton website at www.visitbuxton.co.uk/heritage-open-days-2025/.
A festival leaflet, designed and printed by Higher Buxton business, PrintExpress, will soon be available from the Buxton Visitor Centre in the Pump Room, amongst other locations in the town.
