The Palace Hotel Buxton

The cost is £395 (paid 1 month before). If you have been to one of my retreats before there is a discounted price of £370. A non-refundable deposit of £50 is needed to confirm your place. All meals from Friday evening through to lunch on Sunday are included.

Buxton is nestled in the centre of the beautiful Peak District; the UK’s oldest National Park. It’s no surprise the town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region with its stunning architecture and surroundings.

The hotel also features a health and leisure club with an indoor pool, gym, spa, sauna and steam rooms. The hotels spacious en-suite bedrooms have tea and coffee making facilities, TV and hairdryer. Wi-Fi is available free of charge in public areas.

Getting to the Palace Hotel Buxton couldn’t be easier, with the hotel being just off the A53. If you are travelling by car the hotel has an on-site car park, which is free for retreat attendees. Buxton Train Station is a short 5-minute walk way, with regular trains from Manchester.

The History of the Palace Hotel Buxton

In the heart of the Peak District you will find the beautiful Palace Hotel and Spa. Located in Buxton, the highest market town in England (over 1000 feet above sea level), the Hotel is a popular and much loved historical focal point of Buxton’s culture. Dating back to the 19th century, the Palace Hotel is rich in history and is one of the largest hotels in the Peak District.

It is believed that the market town dates back many centuries and was founded by the Romans due to the attraction in the area of the abundance of warm springs that were found near the River Wye. After discovering this, the Romans built thermal baths in the town which later went on to become the main source of income for the area. Further down the line, around the late 19th century, Buxton began to be recognised for its limestone quarrying, which became a major industry in the area and was transported by railway to the rest of the UK. To this day, Buxton is still identified as a spa town and is a popular destination for tourists.

Origins

The Palace Hotel and Spa, built in 1863, became a key feature of Buxton’s skyline and consisted of 122 rooms. This became a prominent property in the town due to its grand architecture and impressive style, designed by Henry Currey, architect to the 7th Duke of Devonshire, in 1857. Situated on the hill above the railway station, the grand opening of the building proved to be a notable event, gaining a mention in the local newspaper, something that was unheard of in its time. It has been stated that the celebrations that surrounded the opening boosted the fame and reputation of Buxton town in nearby areas, which thus benefitted the local town’s businesses.

The building and its surroundings were very impressive, mainly due to its sheer size, stretching over more than five acres. Set in stunning landscaped gardens, the Palace Hotel featured an internationally admired ball room, luxury gardens fitted with croquet lawns, and a tennis court. The hotel also provided its guests with hot and cold water in each room, which was revolutionary and an advanced amenity during the late 18th century. After several years, the hotel became the first building in Buxton to be equipped with a telephone, a feature that was not only a luxury but rare in most hotels across Britain, and was given the number 22001.