Buxton Crescent review: Georgian grandeur & the great outdoors

For centuries, Buxton was a hotbed for those seeking rest and relaxation, and the town’s natural springs — which were first unearthed by the Romans — were sought by many for their restorative, healing qualities.

Upon its construction in the 1780s, The Crescent was intended to be the town’s crowning centrepiece, an extraordinary landmark that would truly establish the area as a fashionable spa town capable of attracting the masses.

In 2020, after sitting in a state of disrepair for two decades, the iconic building finally reopened as an 81-room, 5* hotel following a £70m restoration project. The imposing, curved structure of the Grade I-listed landmark is rightfully lauded as one of the UK’s finest examples of triumphant Georgian architecture — it’s a behemoth of a structure, one that oozes grandeur, and seeing it restored to its former glories is an incredibly welcome sight.

Given all that history, then, there’s a lot of pressure on the spa offering. Pleasingly, it lives up to the reputation that precedes it. One of the highlights is the original Victorian thermal pool. Filled with heated, mineral-rich Buxton water, the space is cascaded by chic wall tiles that date back to 1924 (when the baths were last refurbished), cast-iron pillars, and a beautiful stained-glass canopy that blends drama and elegance.

Spa guests actually have a total of three pools to unwind in. There’s also the serene relaxation pool, which is dimly lit and boasts a starry ceiling overhead, and one of the hotel’s big party pieces, an indoor-to-outdoor heated rooftop pool from which you can gaze out over the greenery of Buxton below.

Elsewhere, there’s a variety of spacious saunas (biothermal, infrared and traditional Finnish), a steam room and an aroma steam room. After taking over the hotel in 2025, veterans Champneys have refreshed the spa programme, and there’s a tempting selection of holistic rituals and expert-led treatments to choose from.

Given an ever-growing list of aches and pains and an ongoing reluctance to do the sensible thing and pack in 5-aside, I opt for the new, somewhat intimidating-sounding Thermabliss Fire and Ice Massage. It’s a mix of deep tissue and pressure-point massage, with the addition of contrasting hot lava shells and cold stones.

I’m asked if there are any particular ailments I’d like to be worked on, and the treatment is tailored towards this. I’m no expert, but I’d probably say it sits somewhere in the realm of being more hardy than a relaxation massage, but not quite as intense as a sports massage, which is pretty much bang on the money for what I’m after.

On to the room itself. Our home for the evening, the top-end Crescent Suite, merges style, period charm and homely comfort with its fireplaces and the extravagance of a 4-poster king-sized bed. The sizeable ‘living room’, freestanding rolltop bathtub and bedroom all offer quaint views out across the park opposite, and the space, on the whole, feels befitting of the hotel’s 5* label. To nitpick, a rethink on the carpet design wouldn’t go amiss — it’s the only feature of the room that doesn’t feel quite so premium.

Food-wise, the 1789 Restaurant champions local produce and modern British cooking. Both starters — a duck terrine and torched mackerel — are presented beautifully, though it’s the lamb cannon, coated in a crisp, herby crust and served pink, which is the evening’s big winner. The service is standout, hitting a winning balance of casual and friendly, but consistently attentive. Prices, as is the case with most hotel restaurants, are on the steep side if not included in your room package, but there are no question marks over the quality.

Much of the time, these historic spa hotels are a bit out of the way, meaning that once you arrive, you’re there for the night. Here, though, the picturesque streets of Buxton are quite literally on your doorstep, and the town’s stellar array of bars and pubs can be reached in a matter of minutes by way of leisurely stroll.

Craft beer fans can enjoy local brews in both the Buxton Brewery Tap House and RedWillow Brewery pub, and for something a tad stronger, Sock & Buskin does a lovely Negroni. There’s also the recently opened onnen, which is a wonderful bar serving a range of natural and ethically-sourced wines in a charming, light and airy space, and, for tea away from the hotel, Simply Thai is fantastic.

Outdoorsy types are spoilt for choice, with the hotel providing a gateway to the Peak District’s lush rolling vistas, gorgeous walking trails and a diverse batch of cycling routes. Both Cavendish and High Peak golf courses are just around the corner, too, and the stunning Buxton Opera House is a must for anyone looking to add a little extra culture to their night away.

A one-night stay at Buxton Crescent starts at £185 including breakfast. For more information, or to book a room, click below.

This review was formed as part of a PR stay.