Buxton, a quaint town on the edge of the Peak District, is known for more than just its famous bottled water. It's a place where you can enjoy opera in a cave, visit a hotel where Mary Queen of Scots allegedly stayed, and sip on the freshest mineral water (though you might want to add a few ice cubes). The Buxton International Festival, taking place from July 4 to 21, will see some of the biggest names in opera, music, literature, and jazz grace the town.
The line-up includes globally renowned South African Soprano Golda Schultz, the New Orleans Social Club jazz band, and classical pianist Angela Hewitt. Familiar faces like newsreader Clive Myrie , TV presenter Rob Rinder, and Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham will be giving book talks, alongside Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram. The festival events will be held across the town, even underground in Poole's Cavern.
If you're not an opera fan, the festival aims to change your mind with an adapted version of La Tragedie de Carmen by Peter Brooks, based on Georges Bizet's famous opera. Tickets start at £10 for under 35s who join the Friends of BIF Next Gen scheme, while other prices range from £25-33. Before the festival kicked off, Liv Clarke, a Manchester Evening News reporter, took a jaunt around Buxton to see what treats it holds for both festival-goers and daytrippers From indulging in a quirky twist on the full English breakfast to perusing quaint shops in converted old baths, here's the lowdown on her adventures.
Liv said: .
