Friday 13 March 2015

Spotlight on the Pavilion and Gardens at Buxton

Hello, Glad you like the Buxton photo's here are a few more. The Pavilion stands in 23 acres of beautifully restored award winning Victorian gardens. There is an ornate bandstand where bands play most summer Sunday afternoons, a large cast iron and glass conservatory garden, miniature railway, adventure playground and picnic areas. Inside there is a gift boutique selling unusual gifts and novelties. There's a very large family friendly Cafe and, and a Contemporary Coffee Bar. The Grand Octagon Hall and Lounge is available for private functions and the Pavilion is licensed for weddings. Inside the large shop is a gallery which exhibits high class art and design from Derbyshire artists. There is an excellent web site here, click on the 'Promotional Video', and get a free tour.  


The Conservatory is next to the Opera Opera house and you can stroll through it to emerge in the Pavilion Cafe.There is an amazing display of plants and palms from around the world to enjoy. The perfume from the flowers wafts over you as you step inside the warm and humid atmosphere. It's like a tropical paradise, lovely to linger and absorb the ambiance.  






I took a stroll outside in the gardens. Even though it's not quite spring it was still pleasant enough to wander about and relax. 


An elderly lady stopped to feed the ducks, which brought them all dashing across to her. 
Then another lady threw a bag of crumbs into the other pond. The wild birds have it made here, no need to go off in search of food, hang around long enough and it all arrives on a plate.


I'm going to add this bit onto the end of my post, and have borrowed a picture from the web site of artist Eric Wilson. He has an exhibition of his work in the Artcafe Gallery, which is up the spiral staircase next to the Conservatory. 
I was bowled over by his work, it's by far the best wildlife paintings I have ever seen. His exhibition is on now until the 5th of May. Go and see it if you are in the area, you will be blown away. If you can't get to it, take a look at his web site. He tells an amazing story of his travels around the world to see for himself the subjects of his paintings. Click on the sub headings, read about his life, look at his photographs, it's an exciting journey.

Buxton has an arty feel about it, I love it there. It's a shame that the Green Man Gallery wasn't open, I picked the only day they are closed. Never mind, I'll go back another time.

Right, got to get a move on, things to do. Thanks for visiting. Toodle pip.

18 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for taking us on the tour with you in this amazing place. The artwork of the Tiger....awesome. My hubby loves tigers, and he would really like the beauty of this one.

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  2. So pleased you had such a lovely break and good weather too. Great photos always. Kristel.

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  3. Great pics. Looks like you had that lovely Conservatory to yourself. Off now to investigate that amazing artist!

    Linda xxx

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  4. Thanks for this lovely trip. We couldn't do a "walk" here in Pennsylvania yet since we still have snow and temps in the 20's F most days so it's nice to see green lawns and flowers in the conservatory. Anne

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  5. Worth the wait and just at beautiful as I imagined. I'd never want to leave and be arrested for lurking about. :)
    I so enjoy your little excursions. Thanks for letting me tag-a-long.

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    1. You're welcome, Jake. I enjoy showcasing the best of our wonderful country.

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  6. Wonderful to take the trip to Buxton, one of my favourite places, The Conservatory is always a pleasure to wander through, do they still have a few butterflies and birds in there? I often stayed in a little camp site just as you leave Buxton, I used to go every year for a Country/Western festival. The sunday afternoon tea dances were always popular with a certain age group of couples. Good that the weather wasnt too bad for you and pleased you arrived home safely.
    Danneke

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    1. Hi Danneke. Didn't see any butterflies, maybe it's not the season yet. No birds either. I went to something similar near Leeds once, The Butterfly House I think it was called.

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  7. Have you been to The Eden Project? If you like conservatories, it's well worth a visit! :) xx

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    1. Hi Vamp, Yes I have, twice. I love it there. Buxton made me think of a mini EP.

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  8. Beautiful pics of my two favourite things - art and gardening. Thank you for sharing your visit to Buxton with us Ilona.
    AussieCheryl : )

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  9. Hello, and have to say that all the remaining photos and narrative were a treat, very sincerely.Am soaking in all the daffoldils, primula, various forced bulbs and hydrangea in the conservatory and the duck pond.Very soothing to my spirit after the unexpected loss of our old girl Mishka this week. (The little rescue dog)A sad time for all of us.I will check out the websites you mention, have a good one, D.

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    1. Oh dear, sorry to hear about your dog. You have a kind heart, take comfort in the knowledge that you gave Mishka a nice home.

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  10. Awww I just love Buxton♥ Thank you so much for the wonderful photos. Sigh..... Hubby has just gone to see if it's cool enough to sit outside instead of being in the air con all the time:( Too warm I'm afraid:(:( The motto for Queensland is "beautiful one day perfect the next♥ Hot weather suited me when I was much younger I'm afraid. Linda xx

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  11. It helps to be able to read details of your walking trips when I'm stuck indoors due to weather here (moved to an area of Britain with worse weather than I am used to....). Some problems as well with it being hillier here....(Wales!). When you mentioned about putting on waterproof trousers to enable you to continue with going out for a walk despite bad weather - I would appreciate any comments you might like to make re how to go out "walking when the weather is too bad to do so". Sometimes it howls an absolute gale here, but I would think it would be possible to still go out for a walk even when its raining heavily - and, to be honest, I haven't had to take that into account before I moved here and don't really have much idea whether its possible to dress in a way that you stay completely dry and comfortable no matter how bad the rain. So - all tips welcome on that...as its so frustrating just how often it ISNT normal "walking weather" here.

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  12. Glad you are here, Sheila. Thanks for your comment.

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  13. thanks for sharing these photos. J and I cycled through and camped just outside of Buxton in 2012. The flowers in the conservatory were as good back then.

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