Silverlands Stadium

Home of Buxton FC since 1884, the Silverlands Stadium is actually the highest ground in the country, located a whopping 1,000 feet above sea level. It is widely considered to be one of the better facilities in the league, boasting an impressive capacity of 5,200, including 490 seats. 

The ground’s statement piece is of course its incredible 490-seater main stand, situated on one of the touchlines. It is quite rare for a side in this division to have such a large seated in area in one stand, and it definitely helps elevate the site. 

However, it is worth noting that, unfortunately, it does have five vertical pillars in place to support the structure, meaning that certain seats will have a restricted view. Therefore, when spectating from this area, choose your seats wisely! In addition to the main stand, this touchline also has smaller standing areas on either side of the structure. 

A covered area, known as the Shed, runs along the entirety of the opposite touchline and provides another standing section at the ground. To the left of this area is the Railway End – a terraced area located behind one of the goals, while there is an uncovered standing area behind the opposite goal – leaving spectators in this section completely exposed to the elements. 

Silverlands has all the usual facilities you’d expect to find at a stadium of this kind, including a bar and food hut in which you can get all your matchday necessities.

Supporters are not always segregated at this ground, but the club do encourage away supporters to group together in the far side of the ‘Shed’ – the covered standing area that runs along one of the touchlines – as best they can. Travelling fans are also usually more than welcome to occupy a seat in the 490-seater main stand opposite this section. 

However, if segregation is in place, then away supporters are limited to the aforementioned ‘Shed’ area and the uncovered standing area to the right of this section.

Pubs near the Silverlands Stadium:

• The Wye Bridge House – Fairfield Rd, Buxton SK17 7DJ
• The Old Sun Inn – 33 High St, Buxton SK17 6HA
• The Swan – 40 High St, Buxton SK17 6HB

In 2022, on the back of a successful campaign that saw an impressive run in the FA Cup for the club, Buxton FC had plans approved for a two-storey extension, that includes a supporters lounge, accepted. 

Then, in March 2023, the Bucks also saw their application to install new changing facilities, as well as a new gym at the ground, get the go-ahead. Buxton hope that these developments can help maintain their status as a growing club and propel the side to even further success in years to come.

Buxton FC actually had a wide array of sites they called home before making the switch to Silverlands Stadium in 1884. The current location initially took on a far different look compared to its current appearance, and originally, was nothing more than a field owned by the club captain at the time, Frank Drewry.

The first official match to be hosted at the venue came in the form of a Derbyshire Cup match against Bakewell in 1884, a game in which the Bucks were able to secure an impressive 2-0 victory. 

As with many grounds during this period of time, cover for spectators was not initially provided. However, in 1890, the club took the decision to install such cover and also constructed the first on-site changing rooms at the facility at the same time. 

A wooden stand was also constructed shortly after, a structure that would remain in place until the mid-1960s when the current main stand was first erected at Silverlands. Rather interestingly, this main stand later had seats added to it from Maine Road – the previous home of recent treble winners Manchester City from 1923 to 2003. 

Since then, that stand has been developed to accommodate up to 500 people as the Bucks have looked to modernise the site as they move up the football pyramid. Other renovations at the ground have included the installation of an all-weather 4G pitch and floodlights in every corner of the ground.

From the North

Head down the A6 until you arrive at the junction that meets with A53, this is the exit for Buxton, and turn left at the mini roundabout which will have the location of Matlock signposted. 

This will take you towards another roundabout at a Morrisons supermarket, at which point you will want to take the second exit, which will have the locations of Poole’s Cavern and Country Park signposted. 

Two more right-hand turns will then follow, first onto Buxton High Street and then onto Buxton Market before you turn left onto Concert Place and then onto Hardwick Square South. At this point, simply continue straight until you arrive at the ground. 

From the East

Once again travel along the A6, this time from the Bakewell direction and exit at the Poole’s Cavern junction once in Buxton. This will take you to the aforementioned roundabout at the Morrison’s supermarket, and from there, follow the same directions as outlined above. 

From the South & West

Enter Buxton on the A53, exiting the road at the B5059 junction on the edge of the town. There will be a set of traffic lights that are signposted towards the Town Centre. From there, you will arrive at a roundabout, at which you will want to take the second exit onto The Quadrant (A515). Continue on this road and head towards the Buxton Market, turning left at Joe Royle’s shop before turning left again onto Concert Place. From this point, follow the same directions mentioned above.

Car Parking

The club recommend a total of three different car parks for travelling fans, all of which are fairly close to the ground. They are as follows:

• Market Place Car Park (SK17 6EB) – 0.3 miles from Silverlands Stadium and a 7-minute walk
• Sylvan Park (SK17 6BY) – 0.3 miles from Silverlands Stadium and a 9-minute walk
• Spring Gardens Car Park (SK17 6BY) – 0.3 miles from Silverlands Stadium and an 8-minute walk. 

All of these car parks are free of charge after 3pm for High Peak residents and after 6pm for everyone else.

Despite its relatively small size, the town of Buxton is actually reasonably well connected to a lot of the major cities in England. 

From London, you can travel from Euston and change at Stockport, while from Birmingham you can travel from New Street station, again changing at Stockport. If you are travelling from Manchester, then you are fortunate enough to be able to hop on a direct train that will take you from Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton in a little over an hour. 

The last train out of Buxton for most destinations will usually be just before 11pm, which while it should give you plenty of time after an evening kick-off, is certainly worth being aware of as the next will not arrive until 6am.

Standard matchday tickets received an increase in price upon the club’s promotion to the National League North, with general admission currently priced at:

• Adults – £15
• Concession – £10
• Age 16-21 – £5
• Age 5-15  – £2
• Under 5s – free with a paying adult

The Bucks have an incredibly fierce rivalry with local side Matlock Town, in a game that is often to referred to by supporters as the A6 derby. 

As with most grounds of this calibre, Silverlands Stadium does grant disabled access. However, it is worth noting that the club do explain that they have very limited disabled car parking spaces and that anyone who requires such space should ring beforehand to ensure it is allocated to them.

Record attendance

During the 1962/63 campaign, a reported 6,000 spectators flocked to the site to watch an FA Cup first-round fixture between Buxton FC and Barrow.

Average attendances

2023-2024: 739 (National League North)
2022-2023: 717 (National League North)

Official club website: https://www.buxtonfc.co.uk