Buxton’s beautiful grade II listed Pump Room stands proudly opposite the Crescent at the bottom of the slopes.
The Pump Room was built in the late nineteenth century close to the source of the Buxton mineral water as a fashionable place to take the waters, socialise and be seen.
It was the Seventh Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish that asked Henry Currey to construct a Pump Room for Buxton. Currey, famous for his buildings in Buxton and Eastbourne was asked to design a building with a flat roof so not to block the view of the slopes for hotel guests.
After the duke died in 1891 it was his son, the eighth duke that opened the building in 1894 to a huge crowd of excited Buxtonians.
When the Pump Room first opened a mechanical pump drew the water from the springs so that it could be served to the customers, however later on a natural spring just behind the building was discovered and the well area at the back was added in 1912 along with our beautiful stained-glass windows. There have been no pumps in the Pump Room for over 100 years, but tourists have flocked to see the beautiful glasswork since. Officially our building is called St. Ann’s Well, but The Pump Room has just stuck to this day.
As taking the waters became less fashionable in the second half of the 20th century, the Pump Room became Buxton’s tourist information centre. It still is today; however for 16 years between 1981 and 1995 the Pump Room was a micarium, a museum of microscopic exhibits. Many of today’s visitors to the Pump Room still remember peering at tiny creatures and minerals through microscopes within the building!
The Pump Room reopened as the Tourist Information Centre in 2019 and while it was not easy at first because of the Covid-19 crisis, we now still proudly serve both local people and visitors from around the world as they enjoy our special town and waters.
Please do join us, you can still take the waters in the Pump Room and speak to our advisors about how best to enjoy your time in the Peak District. We have locally roasted artisan coffee, craft beers from nearby breweries, cakes and bakes expertly created from just up the road.
We are a beacon for all things Buxton with a range of locally produced gifts and keep an eye on our What’s On page to see the range of events that we host including, music, arts, historic talks and theatre.
Frequently Asked Questions
The water emerges at a constant 27.5° Celsius year round. Buxton’s water is the second warmest in Britain, after Bath’s.
The Natural Mineral Baths are operated by the Ensana Buxton Crescent Hotel – please refer to their website for inquiries related to spa treatments.
Dogs are very welcome in the Pump Room and we always have complimentary dog treats at the Visitor Information desk.
Assistance dogs are allowed in the Buxton Crescent Experience and in the Assembly Rooms.
Refer to the Visit Peak District website for up-to-date information on local hotels and guesthouses.
The Pump Room is fitted with an accessible toilet.
Buxton Crescent has male, female and accessible toilets.
The Pavilion Gardens have public toilet facilities, just a minute’s walk away.
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