Young people invited to explore how Buxton’s industrial past can help shape a greener future 

Generation Hope Buxton: From Fire and Stone to Woodland and Wildlife has been selected as one of the Interconnected Generation Hope partners for 2026/27, part of the Natural History Museum’s Fixing Our Broken Planet programme. The project brings together young people aged 13–25 to investigate the changing landscape of Grin Low, one of Buxton’s most significant natural and historic sites.

Today, Grin Low is a much-loved woodland and wildlife landscape, but its appearance hides a highly industrial past. For more than 300 years, limestone was quarried on the hill and burnt in lime kilns, transforming the landscape and supporting local communities. The remains of this industry can still be seen among the woodland today.

The project will encourage participants to ask questions about how landscapes change, how nature can recover following human activity, and what the history of Grin Low can teach us about responding to today’s climate and biodiversity challenges.

Participants will take part in biodiversity surveys, citizen science, heritage research, and digital storytelling through a series of Free workshops, culminating in a public exhibition in Spring 2027.

Dates For Workshops:
  • 15th November: What our Heritage can tell us about Climate Impact, 10am-2pm
  • 6th December: The Woodlands and Caves – Our Climate Narrative, 10am-2pm

  • 10th January: Imagining Futures – Lessons from our Past, 10am-2pm

If you are aged between 13-25 sign up to our FREE workshops Here Book Tickets – Buxton Civic Association

To get the most out of the project, please sign up to all sessions, but this is not essential. Please note that under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult to any project activities (only participant requires a ticket).

Whether you are interested as an individual, school or established group, get in touch to see how you can be involved! Rachael Cooksey at rachael.cooksey@buxtoncivicassociation.org.uk.

Generation Hope Buxton is part of Fixing Our Broken Planet at the Natural History Museum, London. A wide variety of trusts, foundations, organisations, companies and individuals are supporting the Fixing Our Broken Planet gallery and programme. We thank all funders with particular thanks to our Lead Funders, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation, Wellcome and The Claude and Sofia Marion Foundation, as well as our Supporting Corporate Partner, GSK. Natural History Museum: Natural History Museum