Set in the heart of Buxton, Pavilion Gardens has Grade II status and is included on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Historic Interest.
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)
The nearby Pavilion Gardens complex provides a café and programme of events and activities. The Buxton Opera House forms part of this complex along with the Conservatory.
Caring for the site
- put your litter or dog waste in the bins provided
- keep your dog under control
- follow our
advice on feeding ducks in our parks [127KB]
- follow the
countryside code [2MB]
Management
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 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 [2MB]
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.
The first trial is to install signage at various locations within the park to ask that people do not feed the birds: to keep our wildlife wild. This is coupled with information about other ways to engage with the water bird population in the park through identifying and counting the variety of waterfowl. Bird identification panels have been installed and free bird count sheets are available from the kiosk and ice cream parlour.
Further actions in the coming months will be to look at trial areas for marginal water planting along some of the edges of both the top and bottom lakes, a small fenced off section of grass to allow changes to the vegetation close to where the geese feed and the establishment of a picnic area, limiting access by grazing birds.
17 facts about Canada geese [54KB]
Canada geese elsewhere - what works and what doesn't [42KB]
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.
