The Best Hotels in Buxton

Buxton Hotels

Buxton is a small, homely market town set in the sprawling soft green hillocks of Derbyshire. Centred around a series of sparkling geothermal springs, Buxton boasts an intriguing history as a spa town - dating back to the Roman times. Buxton’s architectural wonders - a series of arching limestone colonnades and ivy-clad Georgian townhouses - is matched by its engrossing culture, which ranges from annual literary and toe-tapping musical festivals to the collection of refined museums and art galleries.

Things to see

Begin your bright Buxton morning by taking a walking tour through the town’s many architectural triumphs. Visit the Devonshire Dome, an enormous 18th century building with a smooth white-stone facade and adjoining lavender-washed gardens. Then, amble along the narrow cobbled streets to the Victorian Pavilion Gardens, which presents 23 acres of idyllic grounds, inlaid with red and yellow flowerbeds, hand-crafted bandstands and small shimmering lakes. The gardens also offer a cosy café-bar and resplendent restaurant, and a large grassy play area for the children. No Buxton holiday would be complete without exploring Poole’s Cavern - known as the first wonder of the Peak District - a yawning limestone cave with strange, gold-coloured stone formations. The Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is a great way to cap off your cultural day, showcasing intriguing archaeological artefacts found in the surrounding area, and a collection of elegant English paintings.

Hotels in Buxton

Buxton’s central hotels provide fine 4-star accommodation, with butler-like service, vast rooms, enormous en-suites and relaxed bar lounges. These hotels are frequently set in grand Georgian buildings which adjoin heavenly green grounds. Buxton’s cheap hotels are much smaller and often family-run, but are similarly set in old-world buildings with tree-studded gardens, and provide a taste of local Buxton charm. A wide selection of B&Bs speckle the surrounding Derbyshire countryside, and, with modest prices, smiling hosts, and hearty locally-sourced breakfasts, they make for a splendid family holiday or romantic getaway.

Where to stay

Buxton’s small size means that staying anywhere within the town will put you within short walking distance of the centre, with its speciality European restaurants, outdoor café culture, fire-lit taverns and independent boutiques. But those seeking a fully immersive Buxton experience should stay in one of the hotels that align the Pavilion Gardens, as they boast panoramic views across the delicate green lawns, shaded leafy walkways and deep blue lakes. Staying in the surrounding countryside, with its camp-grounds and B&Bs, means you can enjoy both Buxton and the Eden-like natural beauty of the Peak District.

How to get to Buxton

Buxton has a small and centrally located railway station, which connects the town to Manchester via speedy, hour-long direct services. From there, dozens of convenient and frequent services connect to cities and towns throughout England. If arriving by plane, gently descend into Manchester Airport, and recline into one of the wide, cosy seats that the regular shuttle-buses to Buxton provide - and roughly an hour later you’ll be in the heart of the town. Buxton is well served by bus services that glide through the luscious Peak District, over sparkling streams and stony bridges, connecting Buxton to its surrounding towns and villages.