At 300 metres above sea level, Buxton is the UK’s highest market town, and has its own special, and especially unpredictable, micro-climate. But Buxton is better known for the water that bubbles under the ground here — this is where Buxton mineral water is bottled. Buxton is also the unofficial ‘capital’ of the Peak District, and is surrounded by spectacular countryside. Once the best places to stay in Buxton were all old fashioned spa hotels, but there's a broader choice. We have included a spa hotel on our list of the best places to stay in Buxton, but we’ve also discovered a teashop-with-rooms, and a hotel claiming to be the UK’s oldest!

The Romans discovered the thermal springs here, but Buxton’s spa town golden age was during the Georgian and Victorian eras, and the town’s beautiful architecture is a charming legacy of the wealth of this period. There are graceful crescents and columns, arching bridges and spires. People do still come here to ‘take the waters’ and you can certainly drink them if you’d like to. You can also enjoy bathing in them — we recommend you at least have a look at the traditional bathhouse buildings, especially the wonderfully opulent Devonshire Dome, the Buxton Thermal Baths, and behind the elegant curve of the Georgian Crescent.

Buxton is still an active market town, with market days on Tuesday and Saturday — these are still the buzziest days in Buxton aside from the annual Buxton Festival in July which describes itself as a "marriage between opera, music and books". A fringe festival — one of largest in the UK — runs alongside, and offers comedy, film and children's events.

With all this going on and the beautiful countryside to enjoy, the best places to stay in Buxton are busy throughout the year. Book your room early to avoid disappointment!

The Best Places to Stay in Buxton

For a Spa Break

• Ensana Buxton Crescent is an elegant spa hotel, converted from a grand Georgian crescent of terrace townhouses. Ensana are known for their spa hotels, and Buxton Crescent has a huge spa, which includes CO2 infusion mineral baths, thermal pools and all sorts of treatments. There are 81 rooms and suites, decorated with contemporary style, in classic shapes and colours — expect boxy four-poster beds or huge bedheads, elegant wallpapers and plush fabrics. Some of the rooms would suit families. There are two restaurants, the Spa Cafe, with its healthy menu, and the Dining Rooms, which serve classic British cuisine.

For Central Buxton

• No 6 The Square is a totally charming, and tiny, teashop with rooms in the centre of Buxton. A popular teahouse downstairs, with four traditional rooms upstairs. Expect antiques and ornate details, plush velvet and large sash windows.

For Romantics

• The Old Hall Hotel is one of the hotels claiming to be the UK’s oldest. It’s stone and ivy-clad, in a fantastic location overlooking the Pavilion Gardens. The interiors aren’t original, but they are traditionally decorated, with weighty fabrics and antique furniture in the 35 rooms and suites, and in the popular restaurant and bar. If you’re here for a special occasion we recommend booking a four-poster suite.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Buxton’s closest airport is Manchester Airport. You can get to Buxton by train in about two hours — via central Manchester, — or by car in about half an hour. If you’re coming via London, the train journey is three hours, leaving from Euston.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Buxton is at its busiest during the peak summer months, but definitely bring your wet weather gear whenever you’re planning to visit! If you’re planning to do quite a bit of walking, try for May/June, or September/October, and if you like things lively come in the summer when the festival calendar heats up.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to our Gurus’ recommendations for all of the best places to stay in Derbyshire or our recommendations for the best hotels in the Peak District National Park
• Refine your search by the kind of accommodation you’re looking for — consider our Gurus recommendations for the best country house hotels in the Peak District, the Peak District’s best spa hotels or the best pubs-with-rooms in the Peak District
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.