Pictured above: American tenor Ryan MacPherson (right) - who plays the role of Wilhelm in the Buxton Festival's production of Mignon - is in fine voice as he serenades (from left to right) David James, Chief Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire; Andrew Greenwood, Artistic Director of Buxton Festival and Penelope, Viscountess Cobham, Chairman of VisitEngland

Buxton Festival - one of the country's foremost artistic events - this week welcomed a very special guest to experience its multi award-winning magic at first hand.

Penelope, Viscountess Cobham, Chairman of VisitEngland, attended one of this year's key operas - Mignon, by Ambroise Thomas - and took time to meet leading representatives from both the Festival and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the area's official tourist board.

Lady Cobham also took the opportunity to tour the Festival's newest venue, the showpiece Pavilion Arts Centre at High Peak Borough Council's Pavilion Gardens, during a culture-packed visit to Buxton yesterday (Tuesday July 12).

And she got an illuminating insight into the intricate skills and secrets of the ancient tradition of Well Dressing - unique to the Peak District and Derbyshire - courtesy of Buxton Well Dressing Leader Christine Gould, at St Ann's Well during the town's busy Festival Week. 

Earlier this year, Buxton Festival scored national success in VisitEngland's Enjoy England Excellence Awards by scooping silver in the category for Best Tourism Event - second only to Royal Ascot.

"It's a genuine pleasure for me to come to the Peak District and Derbyshire and to sample the range and quality of entertainment for which Buxton Festival is so widely renowned," said Lady Cobham.

"The breadth of its offer - ranging from rarely performed operas to talks by leading lights in literature, politics and journalism - sets a first-class example to other events of its kind and benefits from a superb setting in one of the most beautiful parts of England."

Added David James, Chief Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire: "Buxton Festival is a real cultural gem with a well-deserved reputation for excellence - not just locally and regionally, but also nationally and internationally - and I'm thrilled that Lady Cobham was able to take time out of her busy schedule to attend.

"We were very proud that the Festival was one of eight quality tourism businesses in our area to receive awards - four gold and four silver - in the national tourist board's Enjoy England Excellence Awards in April. It's encouraging proof that tourism businesses in the Peak District and Derbyshire share our vision to offer all our visitors the best possible experience when they come here."

Glyn Foley, Chief Executive of Buxton Festival, said: "We're delighted to welcome Lady Cobham to the Festival this year, and we're really pleased that the positive impact the arts can have on the community and regional economy has been recognised. 

"The award helps to strengthen our national reputation for top-quality productions and excellent customer service. We hope it will help to generate many more visits to our Festival, as well as to the Peak District, Derbyshire and surrounding areas."