Buxton Museum & Art Gallery

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor
Buxton Museum & Art Gallery
Buxton Museum and Art Gallery

Buxton is the capital of the Peaks, and as such its art gallery and museum offers a great place to start by way of introduction. The diverse and somewhat eclectic range of collections span the art, geology, archaeology and history of Derbyshire, going 360 million years back in time. From ice age animal bones and carboniferous fossils, to prosthetic hips and a hoard of locks, keys and strange curios relating to the great Hungarian-American stunt artist Harry Houdini (acquired by a local amateur escapologist), it really has it all.

The museum’s permanent art collection has a strong emphasis on painting, including works by major 20th century British artists Duncan Grant, Augustus John and Theodore Major, as well as the French painter Edgar Chahine and Russian-born Marc Chagall. A year-round programme of changing exhibitions showcasing work by local artists runs alongside, in addition to the annual Derbyshire Open Art competition. Meanwhile, a unique accrual of over 200 decorative objects made of Ashford Black Marble provides an interesting connection to nearby honeypot village Ashford-on-the-Water.

The new ‘Wonders of the Peak’ display transports visitors on a journey through space and time featuring objects retrieved from the British Museum in London, social history artefacts, commissioned artworks, interactive maps, and documentary films. Download the Wonders of the Peak app to access a digitised version, designed for use whilst out in the landscape.

Fans of Manchester Museum should pay a visit to the Boyd Dawkins Study, which houses the library, manuscripts, scientific equipment and personal ornaments of its curator, the British geologist and archaeologist Sir William Boyd Dawkin, and those of his colleague and close friend, the fossil expert and conchologist Dr J Wilfrid Jackson. Rock enthusiasts, don’t miss the nearby mineral display, boasting Blue John and other prized local specimens (then head underground to explore Buxton’s famous Poole’s Cavern).

Pair your visit to Buxton Museum and Art Gallery with a look around The Green Man, which is located just behind and run by an independent group of High Peak artists and makers.

Terrace Rd,BuxtonSK17 6DA View map
Telephone: 01629533540 Visit Now

Opening Hours

  • Monday9:00am - 6:00pm
  • Tuesday9:00am - 6:00pm
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Buxton Museum & Art Gallery

Idles by Daniel Topete, image couresy of SONIC PR
MusicManchester
Idles at The Apollo

Taking the power of love on the road, IDLES bring their latest album TANGK, their most ambitious and striking record yet, to Manchester.

from £42.15

Where to go near Buxton Museum & Art Gallery

Event venue
Earth Pig Pottery and Fine Art

Earth Pig is a working art studio and pottery located in Higher Buxton in the heart of the Peak District National Park.

Buxton
The Herb Garden Vegetarian Bistro

Enjoy the Herb Garden at Home service means that if you place your order by 3pm you can enjoy a next day delivery service of all your favourites including Vegetable and Bean Tagine, Mousssaka and Spaghetti alla Puttanesca.

Buxton
Vintage Tea Rooms Buxton

The Vintage Tea Rooms is currently offering a selection of its favourites for take away including tortes, home baked cakes and its famous scones bursting with cream and jam.

RedWillow Buxton
Buxton
Restaurant
RedWillow Buxton

Located in an elegantly remodelled Edwardian bank in the heart of the town, the Red Willow is one of our favourite watering holes in Buxton.

Buxton
Simply Thai Restaurant

The restaurant is currently open every day for takeaway with 10% discount when ordered form the main menu on collection and free evening delivery (without discount) within 2 miles radius for minimum order of £30.

Discover Buxton Tours Ticket Office
Buxton
Tourist Attraction
Discover Buxton Tours Ticket Office

Take a journey through the fascinating history of Buxton, whether on foot or aboard the vintage tram. The team of knowledgeable guides are all local people with a real passion for the town. Discover Buxton Tours offer the best way to see and experience a town’s history.

Culture Guides