Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

Location

Pavilion Gardens, St Johns Road, Buxton SK17 6BE

Parking

There is a 270 space pay and display car park on the corner of St John's Road and Burlington Road (SK17 9AR) with 8 disabled car parking spaces on the lower level.  

Facilities and features

• historic parkland landscape
• floral displays
• lakes and watercourses including the River Wye
• cascades and fountain (lit at night)
• promenades and walks
• play area for children aged 0 to 6
• play area for children aged 7 to 12
• outdoor gym equipment
• surfaced multi use game area
• toilets
• bandstand
• miniature railway
• kiosk next to the lake and older children's play area (managed by the Pavilion Gardens Complex (opens new window))

The nearby Pavilion Gardens complex (opens new window) provides a café and programme of events and activities. The Buxton Opera House (opens new window) forms part of this complex along with the Conservatory.

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Caring for the site

• put your litter or dog waste in the bins provided
• keep your dog under control
• follow the  countryside code (PDF) [2MB](opens new window)

Management

Looking after our parks

You can contact us about parks anytime by completing one of our forms below.

For a general enquiry please use the form below.

If you need to report a problem in one of our parks or play areas please use one of the below forms.

Events in Pavilion Gardens

Visit the Pavilion Gardens website (opens new window) for information on events and activities in the park.

Friends of Pavilion Gardens

The park has an active and committed friends group who have been working to support the park for 10 years. They secured the funding to refurbish the children's play areas and are involved in a variety of activities including, organising and running events in the park and practical planting activities.

Parks Management Plans

The parks individual management plan will define the current and future management and maintenance of the park for a 10-year period from 2021 to 2031.

The plan aims to provide clear direction for the future management and maintenance of the park, ensuring that the park is conserved and enhanced in its entirety whilst balancing the needs of visitors and residents alike.

Pavilion Gardens and Serpentine Walks management Plan (PDF) [2MB]

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Canada Geese in the Gardens

A snapshot survey of views on Canada Geese in the park was initiated last summer. 740 people responded over the 14 days the survey was open. Views were wide ranging. After reviewing the feedback and organising a site meeting, councillors, officers and a local environmental specialist explored possible action to strike a balance for wildlife in a public park. A second survey gathered responses to a range of options. Again, views varied. It was clear though that whatever what is done (or not) needs public 'buy-in' with people willing to give it a go.

We have implemented the following measures to help establish a better balance between people and wildlife in the park:

• Installed signage at various locations to ask people not to feed the birds to keep our wildlife wild.
• Installed information panels about other ways to engage with the water bird population such as identifying and counting the variety of waterfowl; and bird identification panels and free bird count sheets at the kiosk and ice cream parlour.
• Added waterside planting at the top and bottom lakes which will, over time, discourage birds from grassed areas by providing a natural barrier. The plants selected do not form part of the bird's natural diet and so are not appetising to them.
• Fenced of a small area of grass near the kiosk to allow other vegetation to establish.

Further actions include plans to fence off another section of grass on the opposite side next to the Broadwalk; and to create a picnic area with a low fence before next summer. Planting will also continue over the coming weeks.

There are no plans to carry out a cull of the birds. Instead, the Council's management measures will gradually, and naturally, reduce the goose population. This means working with users of the park to reduce feeding.

17 facts about Canada geese (PDF) [54KB]

Canada geese elsewhere - what works and what doesn't (PDF) [42KB]

View the latest bird count data.

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Algal Bloom

Algal bloom is a natural occurrence due to the limited flow of water in the top lake and a build-up of nutrients from waterfowl droppings and feeding. It will usually clear after a few days, however, improving the overall long term water quality in the lake will also help reduce the occurrence. As a result we're looking to implement a process of regular treatment as well as exploring other long-term options.

In 2023 a non-chemical treatment was undertaken that uses a beneficial bacteria which breaks down organic matter and consumes the excess nutrients to improve water quality. This will be implemented on an annual basis with the next course due around April/May 2024 and then again in the late summer. Following advice from a specialist contractor - it may take some time to fully break down the nutrients to an acceptable level.

We're also planning more sustainable long-term improvements to the water quality of both lakes through increased planting of marginal water plants along some of the lake edges. This will not only help to increase the oxygen levels in the water to prevent algal bloom, but will also enhance biodiversity through a range of diverse aquatic plants. Research suggests that growing taller vegetation around lake edges will also help prevent the geese from jumping out onto the surrounding banks, eventually changing their habitats and making it less attractive for them to be in the park.

We are currently taking advice on the most appropriate plant species and locations around the lake edges before planting starts in Spring. The areas will then be monitored and further developed if successful.