Archive: This guide describes places featured in 2021. Hargreaves Café and Brick Corner’s café have since closed. Brick Corner now offers mobile LEGO activities; check individual venues for current information.
In 2021, after a difficult year for the high street, we picked out 12 new or reimagined places in Buxton that we liked the look of.
1. Pig and Pepper Bakery
Pig and Pepper opened in 2017 and had recently moved to larger premises on High Street when we featured it in 2021. The bakery sold bread, pastries, cakes, deli foods and coffee, and offered bread-making classes. Check directly for current class availability.
facebook.com/pigandpepperBuxton
2. Kinders Garden Little Shop of Flowers
In 2021, Kinders Garden Little Shop of Flowers had opened at the entrance to the Pavilion Gardens conservatory. The owners had an established business in Macclesfield, and the Buxton shop sold fresh flowers and plants; a large bunch of pink lilies was £8 at the time. Its current Buxton status has not been independently confirmed.
3. Hargreaves Café
Update: The café has closed. See the local report.
In 2021, the first-floor café at Hargreaves had been refurbished and rebranded from the Edwardian Tearooms, with a new menu and décor in its period setting.
4. Brick Corner
Illustrative stock photograph.
In 2021, Brick Corner was preparing to open a LEGO-themed café and activity space in the former Coda Vinyl Café. It planned creative building, coding and robotics activities, including a workshop in June 2021.
5. ‘New’ Costa Coffee
Illustrative stock photograph.
In 2021, Costa Coffee moved further along Spring Gardens. Its current store listing gives the address as 85 Spring Gardens.
6. Highstakes
Update: The Food Standards Agency now lists Bar Wan Eats at 5 High Street, the address previously listed for Highstakes.
Illustrative stock photograph.
In 2021, Buxton had a gourmet burger and steak bar called Highstakes. We liked its décor and menu; at the time, the owners planned to introduce delivery.
7. Forest Gin Garden and The Little Shop
Update: A venue directory lists the Pavilion Gardens shop and bar as closed. For current visitor information, see Forest Distillery at the Cat & Fiddle.
In 2021, artisan spirit producers Forest Gin had recently opened a little gin bar and shop in the Pavilion Gardens. The bar was on the promenade, and we found the staff super friendly. The Little Shop, which shared the space with Gallery in the Gardens, sold a selection including their gin and whisky.
8. Dub Kitchen and Bar
Update: Its Uber Eats listing closed in April 2023; the restaurant’s current status has not been independently confirmed.
Dubbin’ Good Food had been a favourite food spot in Higher Buxton for a few years. In 2021, DGF moved to bigger premises on High Street with a new name and a bar. Its menu then included ‘The Full Shebang’ breakfast, gourmet burgers, salad boxes and sandwiches, alongside cocktails. We loved the Instagram wall.
9. BuxTan
Illustrative stock photograph.
In 2021, BuxTan was a dedicated tanning shop with several beds and booths. We found the staff helpful when we enquired. For its current listing, see BuxTan.
10. Sacro Lounge
Sacro Lounge had opened shortly before the pandemic. On our 2021 visit, we found a family-friendly café-bar with seating on two floors and a menu that included gluten-free and vegan choices. For current menus and information, visit Sacro Lounge.
11. Buxton Crescent Visitor Experience
The Buxton Crescent Experience opened briefly in 2020 before lockdown and tier restrictions. Its nine rooms tell the story of the Grade I listed Crescent and the people who came to Buxton for its water; highlights include interactive displays and a virtual-reality hot-air balloon flight over Georgian Buxton. Visitors now explore at their own pace, with hosts on hand.
Current Buxton Crescent Experience information
12. Seasons Buxton
Illustrative stock photograph.
Seasons was a new bar on The Quadrant when we visited in 2021. We enjoyed its intimate atmosphere and selection of craft beer and wine. For current details, see CAMRA’s listing.
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