Buxton has
its beginnings as a spa town from the moment the Romans
invaded these islands more than 2000 years ago. They came to
this area, now Buxton, and found natural springs bubbling up
through the ground. From past experience and their
discoveries elsewhere, they recognized these warm waters as
having the natural curative powers to heal.
However, since very little remains from those far off days
for us to see now, we have to move forward through the
centuries and look a little closer to the present time.
During the early part of the sixteenth century, Buxton's
waters were once more coming into vogue as a means to curing
all manner of ailments for those who visited the area.
At around 1570, the very first Hall was built by the Earl of
Shrewsbury, where one of its visitors, Mary, Queen of Scots,
is recorded as having stayed there for her health. During the
late 1670's the third Earl of Devonshire had the Hall rebuilt
following a fire that all but destroyed much of the original
building. The Old Hall that stands there today is this very
remarkable and grand building.
Our first image, taken
around 1908, provides a panoramic view towards the
magnificent Crescent from Buxton's town hall.
This shows the open layout of the Slopes long before the
trees became established. The Old Hall Hotel can be seen to
the left, next the low building that is the Natural Baths
(now the TIC), followed by the Crescent in the centre, and
the Thermal or Hot Baths to the right, (now the Cavendish
Arcade).
Opposite these, there is the twin domed Pump Room, where
Buxton's thermal and chalybeate waters were offered to
visitors to drink.
Crescent c.1908
Crescent c.1916
Our second view of the Crescent, was taken
around 1916, when the trees on the Slopes were just a little
more mature than in the first scene. Cars are just beginning
to become a fashionable mode of transport, or at least for
those who could afford them at the time.
Where there is a lamp standard in front of the building,
there is now a small fountain and pool. The Crescent was
formerly divided into three hotels. St Anne's, at the western
end, The Centre Hotel and The Great Hotel at the eastern end.
All are now closed.
The latter contains a richly decorated assembly room, which
at one time was formerly occupied by the town's public
library and reading rooms.
The Pump Room is
shown in this scene when viewed from within the Crescent and
the upper floor. The major changes from this picture, taken
around 1916, to the building when seen today, are as follows.
The arcade was enclosed during 1911-12 and the twin domes
were removed at some time around 1937. Note the container
trees on the roof of the building at this time. On the
skyline to the left, stands the Town Hall, and leading
towards the right and down to the Crescent, is Hall Bank with
its fine row of early town houses.
Pumproom c.1916
Serpentine c1918.
Very
little has changed since the time this delightful view of the
Serpentine was taken in 1918. There were far more trees at
the time than you will find there today. The pathway that
slopes to the right and down to the riverside, no longer
exists. However, the visitor can now cross the river by a
bridge, which stands out of sight to the immediate right of
the scene. This small, but lovely park, is very popular for
those who seek peaceful surroundings.
Besides the obvious modern additions, this park is bordered,
in the main, by many houses built during the Victorian era.
This gives a very high indication as to the kind of wealth
that Buxton, as a spa town, was drawing during this
particular period.
Videos (External Links From YouTube)
Diclaimer: These films have been made by the BFI
National Archive.
Devonshire Hospital, Buxton (1916) and Buxton Skyline
(1901)
Buxton Railway Station - September 2007
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