The last thing I expected to find on a grey, drizzly Derbyshire day was seasonal cheer in the form of a poinsettia filled hot house. But that’s exactly what I found in the beautiful Buxton Pavilion Gardens. Not just the often seen red poinsettia here either, but stunning pink and cream varieties too.
The Pavilion Gardens are just one of the many splendid Victorian buildings to be found in the spa town of Buxton, the highest market town in England. The Devonshire Dome and the Opera House are amongst the other impressive buildings in the town, and if the restoration of The Crescent is ever completed then it will be truly stunning.
But of course, while in Derbyshire a region food speciality was required and after a walk around the town, the warm interior of No. 6 The Square (a notable building in its own right) was a welcome sight. I was almost tempted by the cakes and tarts in the display cabinet but the more unusual Homemade Derbyshire Tea Loaf with Sage Derby Cheese was screaming to be tried!
I grew up in a home with northern parents, so cheese with fruit cake and with other fruit based treats is the norm for me, something southern friends often find most odd! But I’ve never tried Sage Derby cheese before and it was a delicious discovery, particularly paired with the heavily spiced tea loaf.
If you’ve never tried the cheese and fruitcake combo before I’d highly recommend giving it a whirl, and that you try this particular local variation if you find yourself in Derbyshire.
Indulgent Journeys 