22 Hydro Café Tearooms

75 Spring Gardens, Buxton SK17 6BJ.

A traditional café. Tables and chairs can be arranged to suit simply staged drama, music, spoken word, comedy etc. Maximum capacity is 40 (depending on layout). There are toilets and a kitchen. There is one step in the entrance - otherwise level.

Charges: Negotiable between £10 - £30 depending on daytime/evening and day of week.

Contact: David Hirst 07791 732 804

23 Project X Cafe Ltd.

The Old Courthouse, George St, Buxton.

A sophisticated Wine Bar/Coffee Shop Project X has been used as an exhibition space and for small scale music. Ramp access to main door, level throughout. Capacity: 70-100.

Contact: Anna Bartram 01298 77079

29 Milton's Head

63 Spring Gardens, Buxton SK17 6BJ.

A town centre pub on the main shopping street. There is ramp access at the rear and the toilets include a wide access. The main street entrance has two steps. There is no PA, lights or stage. The pub has a music license to midnight seven days a week. Open from 10am.

Lounge Bar

A long narrow room seating 40 cabaret style with the bar in one corner and toilets to one side. This space might suit cabaret, comedy or music on a small scale.

Restaurant

Seats 30 cabaret style. Has been used for poetry and readings in the past. This room is separate from the bar areas.

Charges on application from:

Jason Waplington Tel: 01298 24733

31 Old Hall Hotel

The Square, Buxton, SK17 6BD.

The Old Hall Hotel has rooms and bars on the ground floor including the Piano Lounge but these are heavily used for Hotel functions during the Festival and are only rarely available. Contact Sally Palmer 01298 22841 reception@oldhallhotelbuxton.co.uk

32 Barceló Buxton Palace Hotel

Palace Rd, Buxton SK17 6AG.

9 meetings rooms ranging from 56.4 metre square to 404 metres square. Theatre capapcity from 20 to 350. Cabaret capacity from 18 to 126.

Facilities: Car Park with 122 spaces (charges apply). Lounge/Bar Snacks available all day.

Accessibility: Lift Access to bedrooms. All but one function room is on the ground floor of the hotel. Ramp Access in to the building. Disabled toilet located in the main hotel reception.

33 Pavilion Gardens

St John's Rd, Buxton SK17 6XN.

The Pavilion Gardens complex is adjacent to the Opera House and has indoor and outdoor venues available. Access throughout is level with disabled toilets except for the Art Cafe and the Paxton Suite which is up a short flight of stairs and has steps within it.

34 Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park

Green Lane, Buxton SK17 9DH.

Situated half a mile south of the town centre along Green Lane or Temple Rd.

34a The Cave

The Cavern holds various guided themed tours of up to 40 people at a time. Special events can attract more however, if the river is running there can be acoustic problems if numbers are higher than this. The river is more often than not dry in July. The cave is approx. 1,000 ft long and between 6 and 60ft high. The visitor centre (above ground) can hold up to 50 people before an event begins but is not suitable for actual performances.

We have male, female and disabled toilet facilities above ground. Electrical provision is available throughout the whole cavern. Visitor threshold for the cavern temperature (constant 7 degrees C) is, on average, one hour maximum (if moving).

Accessibility: the venue is an active natural limestone cave and therefore has associated hurdles to overcome. It is ideally suited for promenade performances. A well maintained level path stretches to the end of the cavern with unassisted wheelchair access to the Main Chamber, approx. one third of the way in. There are a total of 26 steps but not all in one place. Free dedicated parking is available for disabled visitors and a wider access toilet is available.

Charges vary depending on type of performance above/below ground etc.

Contact: Alan Walker 01298 26978 info@poolescavern.co.uk

34b The Marquee - Poole's Cavern Grounds

This venue has been used successfully by NICE VENUES and the REC Theatre Company for eight years and is a fully equipped theatre in a marquee (ideal for all variations in Buxton's summer weather) with a full size 8 m x 4 m stage with a raked 80 seat auditorium, including lighting, sound and technical support. Full disabled access and toilets in the nearby visitor centre. This is a managed venue: charges are a percentage gross box office with a minimum guaranteed amount per performance.

35 Railway Hotel

Bridge St, Buxton

A newly modernised traditional pub. Real ales, food, main bar till 2:00am. The Railway is adjacent to Derby University's student accommodation. Ramp access to the main door, level throughout, fully equipped disabled toilet.

Function room

Previously known as the Hollywood Room this has long been a mainstay of Buxton social life and may be remembered as the venue for the Fringe Jazz Festival. It has a stage area with staging available, a good dance floor and can accommodate 100 cabaret style or 150 standing. There is a bar in the room with a licence till 1:00am.

There is no lighting or sound equipment in situ.

The room is not available Tuesday or Thursday evenings or during Sunday daytime. Weekend nights book up very early.

Charges are from £60/night.

Contact: Sheila and Peter Kemp 01298 71435 email 4847@greeneking.co.uk

40 St John's Church

St John's Rd, Buxton.

This beautiful church has a capacity of 200 - 400 with a 40ft by 20ft performance area (can be extended but would reduce audience capacity). There is a kitchen preparation area, a piano for hire (plus charge for tuning if required) and a Wm Hill Organ available.

A certain amount of staging is available to hire for performances. There are options for both flat platforms and also tiered seating ( for performers only - not audience)

Its wonderful acoustic makes it the perfect venue for the broadcast Festival masses.

Accessibility: Ramp.

Charges: £32 per hour for performance (including rehearsal time, from time of access to time of leaving), £20 for rehearsal if not on same day as performance.

Contact: Andrew Haywood 01298 25601 (after 5:30pm) 0791 208 7389 andrew@lccs.co.uk

41 St Mary's Church

Dale Road, Buxton SK17 6NL

This Grade II listed church, built in 1917, can accommodate 240 people in pews and the choir stalls. It has level access, a hearing loop and PA system, and is suitable for music and drama performances. There are two separate vestries which can be used to store equipment or for rehearsals, plus an organ and a piano. Facilities include a toilet and a small car park, plus local on-street parking.

Charges: negotiable

Contact: Jill Hulme on 01298 25246, jlhpr@talktalk.net

42 St Peter's Church and Hall

St Peter's Rd, Buxton.

The Church has a capacity of 200 and is suitable for music and drama performances. The Church Hall is approx. 50 feet long and 25 feet wide and suitable for rehearsals.

Charges: £30. Disabled access: Ramp & toilet.

43 Nat's Kitchen

9-11 Market Street, Buxton.

Nat's is a restaurant/bar/café located just off the Market Place. We have floor space of approximately 60m². We're interested in hosting music, art and poetry events. The décor and furnishings here are rustic and comfortable. We've got a fully licensed bar, great range of beers and a fantastic wine list. In terms of disabled access, there are a couple of small steps up to the front door.

tel: 01298 214642
email: natskitchen@btconnect.com

46 The Source

7 Terrace Road, Buxton SK17 6DR

Upstairs meeting room 30 square metres available for hire at £18 per hour. Can seat 25-30 people theatre-style. Downstairs café available for hire in evenings. Approx 90 square metres. Can seat up to 50 people café-style. The venue is licensed for live music but not for alcohol. Disabled access and disabled toilet in café. Lift to upstairs room. Financial arrangements for hire of café and provision of catering up for discussion.

Contact: Tim Davies 01298 71975 info@citp.co.uk

53 Burbage Institute

Nursery Lane, Buxton SK17 6UL.

Can seat 100 in the main hall which has a stage with curtains. Also 2nd smaller room. There is a kitchen and toilets. NB picture shows visiting theatre company's own lighting equipment: it is not supplied by the hall. iThe interior has been fully refurbished in 2007.

Please note that the Institute is heavily used and is not usually available except for weekends or the odd day/evening.

Disabled access & toilet

Charges: £10/hour

Contact: Mr G.E. Barnes 01298 23270 (112 Macclesfield Rd, Buxton).

55 United Reformed Church

Hardwick Square East, Buxton SK17 6PT

A few minutes walk from the Opera House. Three rooms are available for hire with disabled access and use of kitchen. Alcohol is not permitted.

55a Purple Room: Church

7m x 15m Fully carpeted. Movable chairs. Raised dais at end. Upright piano and Yamaha Clavinova. Good acoustic.
Hiring fee: £10 per hour

55b Green Room: Hall

8m x 9m Broadwood grand piano.
Hiring fee: £10 per hour.

55c Blue Room

11m x 4m Hiring fee: £8 per hour.

50 comfortable chairs and 40 plastic stacking are flexibly available. Front of house and backstage can be organised separately for each room. Copy of letting conditions available on request.

60 Eagle Pub, Market Place

The Eagle is a busy pub with a young, lively clientele. Two spaces are offered. A PA and some lights are available to hire by arrangement. There is level access throughout. The pub is licensed to 2:00am.

60a Lounge Bar

This is a carpeted area which seats 40 cabaret-style or 70 standing. A raised area with railings could be used as a stage for a band. The room is served by the main bar. There are toilets off the room including disabled. This room is already used successfully for acoustic and amplified music, drama and other forms are also a possibility.

60b Dutch's Bar

An uncarpeted function room separated from the main pub with its own bar available by arrangement. It is licensed for 180 standing and is used as night club at weekends. It is not available on Friday or Saturday. Seats for 100 are available by arrangement. There are toilets off the room but not disabled.

Charges are small or zero for events likely to increase bar turnover by arrangement with:

Craig France Eagle Pub 10 Eagle Parade Buxton SK17 6EQ 01298 73505 fax 24115

67 The Grove Hotel

Grove Parade, Buxton, SK17 6AJ.

The Grove is centrally located in Buxton and offers a variety of performance spaces.

The Restaurant

A room of approx. 15' x 50' which would seat an audience of up to 50. This space offers flexible seating arrangements and would be suitable for a variety of performance types. The Restaurant is adjacent to and may be combined with a small bar, seating up to a further 15.

The Coffee Lounge

This comprises three spaces in an L-shape configuration on two levels and would comfortably seat an audience of 30. This space might be suitable for quieter, more intimate performance types, for example poetry and book readings.

The Slopes Café

The Slopes offers a relaxed café/bistro environment, seating approximately 30 and would be suitable for entertainments such as acoustic music or stand-up comedy.

Please note, access to the Restaurant and Coffee Lounge is up a flight of stairs. The Slopes is accessed at street level. Some spaces are available for changing and overnight storage of equipment if required. Charges will be minimal, to cover cleaning costs.

Contact: Christopher Tomes 01298 23804 info@grove-hotel.co.uk

70 Buckingham Hotel

1 Burlington Road, Buxton SK17 9AS

A comfortable room available in this well-known Buxton hotel. Flexible seating, could accommodate approximately 50. Would suit spoken word/poetry or acoustic music performances.

Contact: 01298 70481

Outdoor Venues

08 Buxton Opera House Forecourt

The centre of the Festival, the Opera House is not available as a Fringe Venue! However busking type events (last year a Shakespeare Jukebox) have been permitted on the forecourt by arrangement with the Opera House and Festival management. The interval is too hectic a time for this to be feasible but during the day and before the start of the opera have worked well. The Fringe Desk is off the forecourt and this is a good place to publicise Fringe shows.

Contact: Pat Russell 01298 72050 theatresecretary@boh.org.uk

33a Pavilion Gardens - Bandstand

Modern built bandstand. Five years old - used for brass band concerts in summer & civil wedding ceremonies.

Radio microphone. Music played through 10 watt JBL Speakers on Promenade.

Accessibility: Steps up to bandstand. Hearing loop system.

Charges: £100 a day. Technical assistance - extra cost.

Contact: Rachel Hoodith, Pavilion Gardens 01298 23114 or email paviliongardens@highpeak.gov.uk

33e Pavilion Gardens - Old Bowling Green

A level grassed area approx 40m x 30m across the river from the Opera House and across the road from the Old Hall Hotel. The park is open to pedestrians at all times. Wide gates can be opened for vehicular access by arrangement. Due to its proximity to the Opera House those using this space in the evening will need to be able to reassure the Festival that noise will not disturb their audiences. Power is available by arrangement.

Contact: Philip Wiggans 0845 129 7777 extn. 2204 philipw@highpeak.gov.uk

Street Performances

High Peak Borough Council looks favourably on street performance. An Events Licence may be necessary. The following sites have electric power available from the council. There may be a charge for power but otherwise the sites are free.

Unless you wish the details of your street performances to be in the Fringe Programme we don't need you to pay an entry fee to be part of the Fringe. You will be very welcome to come along and join in. However, you should still inform the Council of your plans.

High Peak Borough Council currently hold licences for regulated entertainment at the Market Place, Spring Gardens or the bottom of the slopes. Anyone wishing to perform in these areas must seek consent from the Council and complete an application form.

Contact: Sarah Porru 0845 1297777 ext 3523 or email sarahporru@highpeak.gov.uk

28 Town Hall Piazza

A large area of yorkstone paving in front of Buxton's Victorian Town Hall on the Market Place. During carnival week this will be occupied by the fair from July 12 to 17th.

37 The Slopes

At the bottom of Terrace Rd beneath the slopes of the Georgian promenade garden, this is a large area of level paving at the end of Buxton's main shopping street.

38 Spring Gardens

Spring Gardens is Buxton's main pedestrian shopping street. At the entrance to the modern mall is a canopy with power adjacent. Street performance is possible under here or on the adjacent areas.

Other public spaces around the town are available if power is not needed. Please tell us where.

47 Around the Town

This is a catch all for events that happen outdoors in various places e.g. the Morris Dancing and some street performances.

Outreach Venues

25 King Sterndale

Approximately 3 miles outside Buxton on the A515 is the small Village of King Sterndale (SK17 9SF). In a lovely parkland setting surrounding the Pickford Estate are two Buxton Fringe Outreach venues in buildings dating from the mid 1800's.

25a Parish Hall

The Village hall is housed in the former Village School.

The Hall, comprises the main hall 8.5m x 5.2m, a smaller room to the rear with it's own kitchen area, and a very large fully equipped kitchen. There is also an outside area for seating.

The Hall accomodates approx 40 seated at tables in the main hall, or 50 seated theatre style, 60 for a standing buffet. Please note parking is available only on the roadside verges.

The Hall is heated and has been fully refurbished with disabled access and toilets.

Cost £10/hour

For a booking form or to check availability please call Carol on 01298 26922 email carol.gratton@virgin.net

25b Christ Church

Christ church is 21m x 5.5m with a wooden vaulted ceiling reaching up to 6.8m. Pew style seating (each Pew is 2m long) with 9 rows on one side and 13 on the other side. Additional seating at the back with choir stalls at the front, maximum occupancy 98, 2 fire exits, disabled access, toilets available across the road in the Village hall.

Cost £11/hour

30 Bookstore Brierlow Bar

Brierlow Bar, Ashbourne Rd, Nr Buxton SK17 9PY.

Location: three miles south of Buxton on A515 Ashbourne Rd (5 minutes by car).

Inside: 1000 sq. ft. room available but has displays of books in it that restrict the space. ( Total shop area 5,000sq.ft.)

The books can be cleared to one side in the evening (after 6pm) making about 500 sq.ft. allowing a seating area for about 75 people. Could be suitable for talks, poetry or slide show, perhaps tied in with specialist book sections (eg Natural History, Climbing etc).

Outside: large car park area available during opening hours (9.30am-5.30pm, seven days a week). Suitable for acoustic music, street theatre, working craft displays, etc. Marquee in place for the fortnight.

Disabled access: Ramps and disabled toilet.

Charges: Free.

63 URC Hall, Tideswell

The Theatre at the URC Hall, Tideswell

Parke Road, Tideswell, SK17 8NS

Set at 1000ft in a beautiful Peak District village, the Theatre at the URC Hall is an ideal venue for a wide range of performances.

It has been used for many years for performance of plays and has a stage, curtained black box area, lighting and comfortable seating. It will comfortably sit audiences of up to about 80, but will not look empty with 50 seats set out.

It is a popular venue throughout the year and is used by professional performers brought to the village by Tideswell Theatre for sell-out shows. This means the venue already has a following which it might be possible to tap into, as people have seen theatre, opera, music, dance, poetry and comedy there including during the Festival. It is an adaptable performance space - many visiting companies preferring to use the floor of the Hall rather than the stage, enabling in the round and other types of performances (though special arrangements might be necessary if larger sized audiences are expected in view of sight lines).

Dimensions:
Stage area: 17' x 19'.
Hall: 22' x 34'.
Large Kitchen for refreshments
Upstairs dressing room (could be used as small performance space
(booking rates will vary if these used in addition to the Hall and Stage).
Access level or ramped throughout.

Contact: Gerard Rogers 01298 871063 theatre@tideswell.net