This is indeed a very special hotel. The mellowed walls and many ancient rooms are steeped in history, said to be the oldest hotel in England. It is idyllically located in the cultural centre of Buxton, the spa town in the High Peak, one of the most outstanding scenic areas of Britain.

The present building, built by the Earl of Shrewsbury in 1550, replaced an earlier building. It is situated over a natural spring, the warm mineral waters of which were the reason for Buxton's origin. This was the site of the Roman Baths ("Aqua Arnemetiae") thought to have been named after the Celtic goddess Arnemetiae. The Celts considered this spring as a sacred shrine, possibly a thousand years or more before the Roman occupation. Historians believe that there has been a building on this very site since time immemorial to offer food, shelter and a place of worship for travellers, in what must have then been a very hostile landscape.

A more recent visitor in 1573 was the unfortunate Mary Queen of Scots. She had apartments in the present building for a number of summers as a house prisoner under the ever watchful eyes of Queen Elizabeth I and the Earl of Shrewsbury.

The Old Hall today gently retains that rich pedigree of the past and possesses an atmosphere that produces a harmonious synergy with the comfort and high tech requirements of today's international traveller.

If you are dining from the Dinner menu in our excellent restaurant or enjoying the Chef's Special in our popular wine bar you will soon appreciate the extra thought and creativity of choice in our menus and wine lists. The Cavendish and Talbot Rooms are available for private parties and functions.

The wine bar is open all day and evening for coffee, afternoon tea and, very importantly, pre and post theatre supper. It is very much the haunt for theatre-goers, actors and musicians.

This ancient building with many tales to tell has 37 very comfortable and sympathetically furnished bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, satellite TV, hairdrier and radio, direct-dial telephone and hospitality tray. There is a lift to all floors.

For the nostalgic (or brave!) you can stay in Queen Mary's Bower in the oldest part of the hotel, still with ceiling mouldings dating back to the origins of the Hall. This wondrous room, with its four-poster bed was, we believe, the bedroom of Mary Queen of Scots.

We have two residents' lounges, one with television and the other for quiet relaxation, perhaps with a coffee or a drink.

The hotel is just across the leafy square from one of the most exquisite opera houses in the British Isles. Home of the annual international Gilbert and Sullivan Festival and Buxton Opera Festival. With our well-known pre and post-theatre suppers and special theatregoer room tariffs, including theatre tickets, it is a natural setting for a wonderful evening at the opera followed by dinner and a comfortable and sound nights sleep.

An excellent venue for the executive, the hotel offers a choice of rooms for small conferences and meetings. A full range of equipment including video and monitor is available. The Shrewsbury Suite accommodates up to 50 delegates with the Cavendish Room and Talbot Room catering for up to 25.

Private dinner parties or weddings can be hosted in all our rooms.

See our main website: www.oldhallhotelbuxton.co.uk