Visiting Pavilion Gardens

Follow the River Wye past the bandstand and lake, or take the children to the playgrounds. Entry to the gardens and conservatory is free. Dogs are welcome in the park. Inside the main building, assistance dogs are welcome.

From the promenade, step through the conservatory to the Pavilion Kitchen and the shops. At Gallery in the Gardens, one of the local artists is usually on hand to talk about the work.

A stream and footbridge in the Pavilion Gardens

Plant beds and paths inside the Pavilion Gardens conservatory

The Pavilion Tea Rooms exterior and outdoor seating

A display of gifts and local produce in the Pavilion Gardens shop

Opening times

The main building and Pavilion Kitchen open daily from 9.30am to 5pm. Individual attractions keep their own hours.

See hours by facility
  • Main Building and Pavilion Kitchen – Daily, 9.30am–5pm.
  • Octagon Hall – Opens for scheduled events.
  • Outdoor play areas – Open year-round.
  • Soft play – From 9.30am daily inside the Pavilion Kitchen.
  • Restaurant and bar – Wed–Fri, noon–4pm. Sat–Sun, 11.30am–4pm. Lunch is served noon–2pm on these days.
  • Ice Cream Parlour – Sat–Sun, 10am–5pm.
  • Gallery in the Gardens – Check the gallery’s seasonal hours.
  • Miniature railway – Weekends and school holidays, weather permitting. Check train times.
  • Boating lake – Weekends and school holidays when the weather allows. Boat hire and prices.
  • Lakeside Hut – Weekends and school holidays, weather permitting.
  • Car park toilets – Daily, 8am–5pm.

See the venue’s opening times for seasonal changes.

Getting here and parking

Buxton station is a 5–10 minute walk away. For the council car park, use St John’s Road, SK17 9AR. Charges apply daily, 8am–6pm. The covered section locks at 6pm, so use an open-air space for an evening event. Check parking charges and Blue Badge spaces or other car parks in Buxton.

Coach drivers can arrange a promenade drop-off with the venue. Coach parking is available on Burlington Road, SK17 9AY.

Step-free access

The lower car park has a level route to the promenade, conservatory, café and Octagon Hall. For the Pavilion Arts Centre, use the St John’s Road entrance. The Opera House currently lists the Arts Centre lift as out of service. For wheelchair spaces or seating advice, call the box office on 01298 72190 or check the access guide.

Public toilets

The council’s accessible car park toilets open 8am–5pm. Inside the Pavilion, accessible toilets are near the café and Ice Cream Parlour.

Changing Places toilet

Find it opposite the Ice Cream Parlour on the ground floor. Use your RADAR key or ask for one at the parlour or the Retail Arcade desk.