The Romans were initially drawn to Buxton because of its eight thermal springs, whose bubbling blue waters maintain a constant 28 degrees centigrade. In contrast, the Palladian splendour of modern-day Buxton was designed and constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries under the patronage of successive Dukes of Devonshire. This includes the magnificent semi-circular Crescent, The Great Stable, Hall Bank, The Square, The Pavilion Gardens, and The Opera House. Today, the Opera House's full schedule and annual festivals in music and the arts continue to draw crowds to these magnificent buildings and gardens. Bakewell, Ashford-in-the-Water, Castleton, and Edale are just a few of the charming towns and villages dotted across the landscape, and there is excellent hiking nearby, with rugged peaks to the north and gentle hills and dales to the south. Stunning mansions like Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall are easily accessible from here. An ideal location from which to discover the Peak District.