Two travel options:

Two travel options are available, either a train, which takes 50 minutes, or the 199 bus, which takes up to 90 minutes — but does have the advantage of including Chapel-en-le-Frith.

From Stockport Interchange (Stand Q) Skyline 199 bus to Market Place Depart 11:35, Arrive 12:53

From Stockport Rail Station by train to Buxton Depart 12:04, Arrive 12:54

This timetable is geared around people having a hearty breakfast or brunch, thus negating the need to eat at the Wye Bridge House. For those wishing to partake of a Wetherspoon’s meal, the earlier bus/train might be a better option, rather than trying to wolf down their meal in the allocated 40 minute visit.

Our first Mild Magic sticker will be picked up at the Wye Bridge House, which is located in the former Midland Railway Hotel in Buxton (photo left) and dates back to when Buxton was a popular watering place. Should you extend your stay until Saturday 17th May 2025, you can experience the grandeur of arriving by steam train to ‘take the waters’ as the The Buxton Spa Express will be visiting [but sadly not via the Midland’s line.] This line used to travers the Wye Valley from Bakewell to Millers Dale, whence it turned right towards Chinley and ultimately Manchester Central station, Buxton being a mere branch line. The Millers Dale line was the route travelled by the prestigious Midland Blue Pullman train. When the Midland did run in to Buxton, they didn’t use the current station, which was owned by the London North Western, but their own station alongside (right of photo right) - now demolished and under Station road.

There now comes a 15 to 20 minute walk to the other side of town. On the way you could call at St Annes Well (no Mild Magic sticker!), where the same spa water as supplies the well known bottled water can be obtained for FREE! Be warned, this flows directly from umpteen thousand feet below ground, so comes out hot(ish). Though having no Yorkshire/Scots blood the Romans made use of this free warm water and built baths around here. The local Anglo Saxons may have also made use of this hot water, but they left no tenable structure to mark their bathing.

Our furthest point of travel is the Cheshire Cheese, (Mild Magic sticker) which is situated past the Market Square on the main road towards Ashbourne. Apparently owned by Everards, but managed and supplied by Titanic Brewery, so expect a wide range of their beers. Reputedly built in 1787 and a Grade II listed building. In keeping with the higgledy-piggledy ‘Olde Worlde’ appearance, the pub is built on many levels with lots of different rooms tucked away ‘around the back’ (and with the occasional low beam, so watch out).

We progress back towards the Market Place, where we pick up our next Mild Magic sticker at the Ale Stop, which is just round the corner off the main road. This was the first micro-bar to open in Buxton, and it is hard to tell whether it is a bar with a good record collection or a music shop which also sells beer. Here we can enjoy offerings from modern cutting-edge breweries while listening to 70s classics - some of which is from vinyl recordings. Should you wish to see the Market in its full glory you will have to return on the morrow, where as well as the 'normal' produce/household market there is also a Craft, Quirky & Vintage Market.

On our way towards the fourth pub on our sticker quest, we couldn’t possibly pass by the Buxton Brewery Tap House. No stickers here, but a wide selection of Buxton ales. Located in the Old Courthouse building, which date from the mid-19th century, and has been in its time local government offices. There is none of that old fuddy duddy atmosphere now, with a very modern veneer overlaying the historic structure. If we are blessed with glorious weather, there is also an extensive beer garden.

Back on the Mild Magic travail, we nip round the corner to the former Williams Deacon's Bank and RedWillow Buxton. According to Roberts Publications the first bank in Buxton was the Sheffield & Rotherham Bank. After a few takeovers and re-locations, the bank came to occupy 1 Cavendish Circus as a branch of Williams Deacon's Bank soon after 1900. Though much is a modern (well executed) re-fit, the interior still has an Edwardian feel, with much in the old managers office (to the right on entering) allegedly original. WARNING: Electronic payment only, so any die-hard traditionalists who only carry cash must either forgo their Mild Magic sticker or throw themselves upon the philanthropy of those with modern methods of payment.

This ends our sojourn around Buxton, but don’t despair, the plan is to alight from your chosen for of transport and visit a Mild Magic pub in Whaley Bridge.

The Whaley Nook micro-bar is described as having a cosy sociable front bar and small room to the rear. Thankfully (weather permitting) French café-style summer seating on the pavement is also available. Usually purveying beers from local breweries, this theme is continued with works by local artists, which are displayed on the walls, being available for sale. Whether you leave with only your Mild Magic sticker, or with a painting under your arm, this is the final advertised establishment.

There is a rumour that some people might en train at Disley to visit Malt Disley. Another option is to visit the Milliner (Mild Magic sticker) from Davenport station.

Pubs to be visited are (at least - there may be more).

Depart	Arrive	Travel
11:05 11:35	12:19 12:53	Cheapskates bus travel from Stockport Interchange (Stand Q) via 199 bus. Knowing reputation for late running the earlier depart should guarantee arrival in time!
12:04	12:54	Affluent train travel from Stockport Rail Station

Arrive	Depart	Location
13:00	13:40	Wye Bridge House, Fairfield Road, Buxton SK17 7DJ (Mild Magic)
13:40	14:00	Walk from one end of Buxton to the other!
14:00	14:35	Cheshire Cheese, 37-39 High Street, Buxton SK17 6HA (Mild Magic)
14:40	15:15	Ale Stop, Chapel Street, Buxton SK17 6HX (Mild Magic)
15:25	16:00	Buxton Tap House, 11-16 The Old Court House, George Street, Buxton SK17 6AT
16:00	16:35	RedWillow Buxton, 1 Cavendish Circus, Buxton SK17 6AT (Mild Magic)
16:40	16:46	Train leaves Buxton station, arrive Stockport at 17:32
16:40	16:46	Same train to Stockport but alighting at Whaley Bridge 17:04 - THEN
17:15	17:50	Whaley Nook, 20 Old Road, Whaley Bridge SK23 7HR (Mild Magic)
18:03	18:32	Train leaves Whaley Bridge station 18:03, arrivals at Stockport 18:32

For those on the 199 bus there is the option to call in
Old Cell Ale Bar, 10-12 Market Place, Chapel-en-le-Frith, SK23 0EN (Mild Magic)

Bus times for 199 from Buxton

Depart	Arrive at
	Chapel-en-le-Frith	Whaley Bridge	Stockport
16:32	17:00	17:14	18:00
17:02	17:31	17:43	18:25
17:29		17:56 Direct on 61 which terminates
17:42	18:06	18:19	19:00
18:17	18:41	18:53	19:32

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