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• Planning your visit

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•  ⁄  School & group visits 
•  ⁄  Planning your visit

What does it cost?
Museum staff-led sessions cost £1 per child for Derbyshire schools or for schools staying in Derbyshire overnight. The sessions cost £2 per child for non-Derbyshire schools. All accompanying adults are free. See also the Opening times and prices page.

How do I pay?
Pay on entrance to the museum using cash, personal or school cheque (payable to Derbyshire County Council). Sorry, we do not currently accept Switch, debit or credit cards. Please pay as a group to avoid delay. You will be issued with a receipt.

How many children can attend a museum-led session?
A maximum of 30 children can attend each session. If you need to discuss other options please contact the museum.

What times are museum-led sessions available?
Sessions are available during normal opening hours. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday 9.30am-5.30pm, Saturday 9.30am-5pm. From Easter to the end of September, the museum is also open Sundays and Bank Holidays 10.30am-5pm. Closed on Mondays.

What worksheets are available?
You will be sent a selection of appropriate worksheets with your booking confirmation. For a museum-led session, these are for information only as the Museum will provide these and other materials on arrival. If you are making a freeflow visit, you will need to make enough copies for your group and bring clipboards and pencils with you.

How many responsible adults should we bring with us?
It is important to arrange adequate adult support - all accompanying adults are free so allow at least one adult per eight children. Accompanying adults should be prepared to assist with a group of children during the session. Don't worry! Information explaining each of the activities will be sent to you with your confirmation letter. The adults are responsible for the children at all times during the visit.

Where can the coach drop us off?
It is possible for coaches to drop off and pick up groups outside the museum but not to park (yellow lines). The nearest coach park is in Spring Gardens. If you are a small group and are coming by car, there is a pay and display car park opposite the museum.

If we come by train?
The museum is a short 10 minute walk from Buxton railway station.

What if we're late?
Please try to arrive on time. You may wish to arrive 10 minutes early to allow for coats to be removed, for you to pay and for toilet visits. We are aware that traffic can cause problems and we will do all we can to make up time if you have been delayed. However, the museum can be very busy, and it is not always possible to allocate extra time.

What about coats and bags?
Children's coats and bags can be left on the coat rack in the reception area. If you have booked a museum-led session, all materials will be provided by the museum, including clipboards and pencils.

Where do the museum-led sessions take place and how long do they take?
Museum staff-led sessions mostly take place in Gallery One, the large art gallery on the first floor. Access is up a flight of stairs. A chairlift is available if required. A member of staff will meet your group at reception and take you all up to the gallery.

Sessions currently available are 'Time Detectives' 'Romans in Derbyshire', Art Explorers' and 'Arresting Solutions'. Sessions last between 1½ and 2 hours and involve discussions, gallery tours and object investigations.

Can we take photographs?
You are welcome to take photographs of your children during the visit. Please complete a photography form on arrival at the museum. These forms are available from reception.

What about lunch?
We regret that there is nowhere in the museum for your class to eat lunch or snacks. In good weather, The Slopes or Pavilion Gardens are pleasant places to picnic.

It may be possible to book St Anne's Church Hall (next door to the museum) in case of inclement weather. The hall is not connected to the museum and enquiries should be made directly to Father Higgins - 01298 71910.

Where are the toilets?
Toilets (including an adapted toilet) are all located on the first floor landing.

Is there a shop?
The museum shop stocks a wide range of educational books and games, fossils, rocks and minerals, replica historical artefacts, cards, postcards and many novel toys, ideal for that unusual gift or souvenir.

What else can we do in Buxton?
Poole's Cavern (opens in a new window) is just fifteen minutes walk from the museum. The show cave is famous for its unique stalactites and stalagmites including the longest stalactite in Derbyshire. Take a journey back in time with an expert guide and follow in the footsteps of poets, royalty, outlaws, Romans and Celts. The underworld adventure is suitable for all ages and abilities. Phone Poole's Cavern on 01298 26978 or email info@poolescavern.co.uk

Alternatively, the tourist information centre can provide a Buxton town trail leaflet which takes in the main attractions such as the Crescent, Opera House and Devonshire Royal Hospital. Telephone 01298 25106 for further details.

What if we have to cancel?
If for any reason you have to cancel your booking, please let us know in advance as we may have another group who can use that session slot.

If there is anything else that you want or need to know, please just ask.