Pavillion Gardens, Buxton

The Pavilion Gardens was first opened in August 1871. The Concert Hall, (now known as the Octagon) was added later and opened in 1875. The Entertainment Stage, soon to be known as the Pavilion Theatre and later as the Hippodrome (cinema), the Playhouse (from 1935) and the Paxton Suite (from 1979) was added in 1889. Owing to the success of the theatre, the company, known since 1889 as the Buxton Gardens Company, decided that the Pavilion Theatre should be extended which led to the building of the Opera House which was opened at Whitsuntide in 1903.