Buxton Crescent Hotel: I went to the highest market town in England for Sunday dinner - I regretted one thing
This hotel, situated on the edge of the Peak District National Park, played a key role in the campaign to make Buxton a fashionable Georgian spa town.
The Buxton Crescent Hotel was originally built for William Cavendish, the 5th Duke of Devonshire, who was responsible for putting Buxton on the map.
It was eventually completed in 1789, and the five-star hotel and spa - in the shape of a crescent - now stands in the shadow of Buxton Opera House.
Our reporter Sophie Mei Lan went along to try out their luxurious Sunday Dinner.
According to online reviews, Buxton Crescent is not only one of the best hotels in the area, but its 1789 restaurant is worth a trip in its own right. It even features a highly sought-after Champneys Spa.
The drive from Yorkshire into the Peak District always feels like something out of a fairytale. We weaved our way along the country roads through Glossop and into Buxton.
Multicoloured twinkling fairy lights in the trees mark our route into the spa town famed for its spring water.
As we parked up outside the hotel, we immediately felt the majestic charm of Buxton.
The clouds were thick, and it was raining heavily, but everyone else seemed prepared for this usual weather with their large golfing umbrellas.
Having catapulted ourselves out of urban Yorkshire and high into the countryside, we hadn’t thought through the possible climate change.
It was such a shame we didn’t have hooded coats or umbrellas because Buxton looked stunning at dusk - perfect for a walk around. Instead, we scurried straight inside the hotel.
Following an £80m restoration, which was 17 years in the making, Buxton Crescent Hotel reopened in 2020.
The hotel now features 81 bedrooms and suites, a modern British restaurant, and a spa with eight treatment rooms and three pools. Here, you can pay for treatments.
There are exclusive areas offering a bio-thermal sauna that combines steam and traditional sauna, Co2 mineral baths filled with Buxton mineral water, an aroma steam room, and a salt cave.
It now has a Champneys-branded spa, located inside the hotel, making it the only wellness hotel in the area.
Tourists tend to retreat to this area of natural beauty to enjoy Christmas and New Year’s in this idyllic place. It looks and feels as if you’re on set for a Christmas film.
We were here to check out the restaurant for a day trip. The 1789 restaurant offers a range of afternoon teas, three-course dinners, and seasonal menus.
It’s a contemporary restaurant with executive chef James Redmond serving classics such as locally sourced roast beef or chicken with seasonal greens, roast potatoes, a Yorkshire pudding, and red wine jus.
There’s also a vegetarian option of roast sweet potato wellington, carrot and swede mash, thyme roast potatoes, and vegan gravy. For three courses it’s £40, or for kids' portions it’s £20.
Our starters included vegetable soup, caprese salad, and tomato soup. The salads were delicious, using fresh mozzarella and beef tomatoes.
The staff were very friendly, but the service was very relaxed, which allowed us to eat slowly and take in the surroundings.
The restaurant itself is large, and the lounge is just at the front of the hotel, with vast windows overlooking the slopes of Buxton.
I had the vegetarian option for mains, which included the wellington with black sesame seeds, a creamy root veg mash, crispy roast potatoes, and gravy. I was glad I had ordered sides of carrots and parsnips because these were the stars of the dinner for me.
The kids had a full chicken roast with huge Yorkshire Puddings, which I was envious of, as well as a side of pigs in blankets.
The staff and kitchen were extremely accommodating for my friend, who is coeliac and dairy-free. She was still able to devour all three courses with a range of suitable alternatives.
We were there for a few hours, eating and enjoying the spacious restaurant and views. It was a great way to get into the steady swing of village life, with a traditional, hearty feast.
The hotel offers a range of festive experiences and New Year’s breaks. I couldn’t imagine a better way to welcome in the New Year than at this wholesome wellness retreat.
I’ll ensure we bring a brolly next time because a walk through Buxton is also a must.