Old Hall Hotel

The Old Hall Hotel, one time host to Mary Queen of Scots, is reputed to be the oldest hotel in England.

The present building dates back to 1573. The New Hall as it was known then, was built by the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury. The Countess being the redoubtable Bess of Hardwick who built Hardwick Hall and Chatsworth. The children from her first marriage to Sir William Cavendish created the line of the Dukes of Devonshire, whose generations have lived at Chatsworth House until the present day.

The significance of the location of the New Hall, which replaced the Auld Hall, was because it was on the site of a natural warm spring, recognised as a thermal bath since before the Roman occupation. It was important to have a new building, which was to be built in the form of a fortified tower, as the Earl of Shrewsbury was under strict instructions from Queen Elizabeth regarding the absolute security of the Scottish Queen when she was in residence. So he was taking no chances with this vivacious and very popular house prisoner. All strangers were prevented from entering or leaving the town.

If you look along the main reception hall from the hotel entrance, the older building starts at the far walls of the two residents lounges on either side of the hallway. These were the original exterior walls and are 3ft thick. The hallway from this point is the original building. All the doorways on either side are entered through Elizabethan stone arched lintels. The original building was in the form of a fortified four storey tower. You can see a drawing of this tower at the base of the John Speed framed map of Derbyshire, opposite the reception.

Daniel Defoe, writing in 1727 and staying at the hotel, said: "This is indeed a very special place. "Which of course it is, even to this day. The Old Hall's seasoned walls and many ancient rooms reflect the pedigree of its rich past, yet providing every comfort, cuisine and high technology expected from the best hotels of today.

It is surrounded by hills, hills and even more hills at the heart of England's beautiful Peak District, in the elegant Spa town of Buxton, just across a leafy Georgian square from one of the most exquisite Opera Houses in this country.

The hotel today is just as busy as it has always been. The interesting and famous still eat, drink, and sleep within its mellowed walls.

This is one of those hotels you often think about yet rarely find. And when you do, you only tell your best friends.

www.oldhallhotelbuxton.co.uk