We programme a range of children’s and family events throughout the year including stage adaptations of children’s television and books, our half-term OctoberFest and the annual family pantomime. We want your family visit to be as stress-free and enjoyable as possible and this information will help plan your visit to the theatre.
Before you come...
Age Guidance:
Where available, we publish age guidance in our brochure and on the website, but if you need further information please get in touch and we will try and help.
For safety reasons, children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult and groups should have one adult per 10 children. Children under three and babies less than 12 months are welcome at family shows where there is a £2.50 concession price. Some parts of the theatre such as the Upper Circle side seats and boxes in the Opera House are not suitable for children under 10 years. The Studio Theatre seating is not suitable for children under three years old.
Parking:
There is a pay and display parking on the streets around the theatre and a car park at the Burlington Road end of the Pavilion Gardens complex, a five minute walk from the theatre. Please be aware that some of the parking on Water Street is permit only.
Pre-show email:
You will receive a pre-show email a couple of days before your visit with extra information about your visit.
When you arrive...
Doors:
You will be able to go into the auditorium approximately 30 minutes before the start of the show, but if you arrive earlier you are welcome to use the toilets and bars 45 minutes before the show.
Cloakroom and Buggy Storage:
Unfortunately we don’t have any cloakroom facilities. We are very limited to where we can store buggies, please try and leave them in the car if you can. If you have a buggy with you, please let our volunteers know as you come into the theatre and we will help you store it. Except for the Stalls, all other areas of the theatre are accessed by steps. For safety reasons, buggies can’t be kept next to your seats.
Seating:
All aisles and seats are numbered and there are volunteers on hand to help you find your seat. The seats in the auditorium are folding, so watch for little hands when your child sits down.
Booster seats:
A limited number of booster seats are available on a first come first served basis, if the booster seats aren’t out, please ask and we will go and get one for you. Another option is to bring your car booster seat in to the theatre.
Lights:
The auditorium lights are dimmed during the show, but there is still some light and volunteers are on hand to guide you out of the auditorium if you need to use the facilities during the show.
During the Show...
Interval and finishing time:
The interval is usually 20 minutes long, so there is time to use the toilet or buy an ice cream. Some shorter children’s shows don’t have intervals but our volunteers will be able to advise you on the day. There are two clocks in the foyer that tell you the expected interval and finishing time of the performance.
Toilets:
There are limited toilets in the Stalls, but we can direct you to other facilities when the theatre is busy. Please be aware that all the male toilets have open urinals and the Gents toilet in the Gallery doesn't have a cubicle, but you are welcome to use the accessible toilet in the Stalls if that is more appropriate.
Baby changing:
There are baby changing facilities in the accessible toilet in the Stalls area.
Food and drink:
We have three bars in the Opera House all of which are open to families and serve a range of soft drinks, crisps and sweets. We also have tap water available on each bar. Drinks can be taken to your seats in plastic glasses/bottles, cardboard cups or cartons. All plastic glasses, cups and lids are made from compostable or biodegradable material and our straws are made from Vegeware or paper. If there is an interval we serve different flavoured Ice creams, orange ice lollies and non-dairy sorbet from the front of the Stalls, the Dress Circle landing and behind the Upper Circle balustrade.
We accept card and cash payments in all the bars, except the ice cream stands which are cash only.
There are a number of cafes and shops close by for snacks and other refreshments. There are several small supermarkets in town, all about a ten minute walk from the theatre.
Feeding:
If you need to feed your baby, please ask a member of staff and they will try and find a quiet space for you.
First Aid:
There is always a first aider in the building, please contact a volunteer if your child is feeling unwell.
After the Show...
Lost Property:
We keep any lost property for three months, so if you get home and find you have lost something please get in touch.
What else to do in the area:
The theatre is right next to the beautiful 23 acre Pavilion Gardens. The gardens have two play areas, one of which is specifically for younger children. There is also a boating lake, miniature train and three orienteering courses as well as plenty of room to play sports and games.
In the Pavilion Gardens complex there is a café with a soft play area for toddlers, ice cream parlour, retail arcade and gallery as well as additional toilets and baby changing facilities. The botanical conservatory is home to plants and palms from around the world and a pond with fish to keep children entertained.
More information about what there is to see and do in the town can be found on the Visit Buxton website. Alternatively you can pick up a copy of the Buxton Town Guide from the Tourist Information Centre in the Pump Room next to the Crescent.
Find out more:
We hope this information will be useful. If you have any further suggestions about how we can improve your experience of visiting the theatre as a family we’d love to hear from you, please email: [email protected]
For more information about what’s on for families, please go to our Family events page, pick up a brochure or call our friendly Box Office team on: 01298 72190.
