Buxton’s first Regency Ball in 200 years – coming to the Crescent this September

(The Gorgeous Georgians are coming to Buxton)

The recently renovated Buxton Crescent, one of the finest Georgian buildings in the country, built by the 5th Duke of Devonshire in the 1780s to establish Buxton as a fashionable spa town in the style of Bath, is hosting its first Regency ball in 200 years on September 17th.

This is something of a milestone for the building and Buxton spa town, as the Crescent has been closed to the public for over 35 years, finally opening in October 2020, when what should have been a grand celebration of achievement was somewhat sidelined by the pandemic.

With this in mind, volunteers from the Buxton Town Team and Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust came up with the idea of a Regency ball as a unique fundraiser for the two organisations. Plans to put Buxton back firmly on the map as a premier spa destination have been on the cards for a while, and the event makes the perfect centrepiece for a Georgian festival, running from 16–18 September 2022.

No trouble has been spared in the planning of this landmark event and guests will be asked to dress in Regency costume or black tie and ballgown, to add to the unique atmosphere and honour the occasion. Organisers envisage a wonderful evening of Regency music and dancing, refreshments and frivolity, taking their guests on a journey back through time to when Buxton was enjoying its Georgian heyday. Expect top hats, feathers, fans, and fantastic frocks. The evening will be kicked off by local photographer Arlen Connolly, taking professional portraits of the guests as they arrive downstairs. Upstairs, under the legendary crystal chandeliers in the meticulously restored Assembly Rooms, Jack’s Ramble, Devon’s answer to Poldark’s Warleggan Band, will be entertaining guests with lively Regency dance tunes while a caller invites couples to take to the floor and learn some new moves. There’s also a charity auction planned for the night, with loads of surprise goodies donated by Buxton businesses supporting the event.

This event is expected to take its rightful place as the jewel in the crown of an annual Georgian festival in the town. If you would like to know more, get in touch with Melandra Smith (melandrasmith@gmail.com) or the Trust via hello@buxtoncrescenttrust.org. Tickets are available from the Pump Room and online via: Beyonk | Regency Ball