THE HOTEL
 

To Stay or Not... The House That Ramsay Built Location Location Location Bedrooms Ports of Call Suite Guest Knick-Knacks Ramsay's Restaurant Ramsay's Real Ale Bar

To Stay or Not...

So then, as part of your strict hydration maintenance regime you’ve been fortunate enough to have sampled the UK’s ultimate “Tennis Water” (erm, credit Nestle Waters marketing gurus for that) and no doubt experienced a marked improvement in your backhand return over ‘n’ above that proffered by Robinson’s Lemon Barley Water. I mean, what do those Swiss Fondue's know about Tennis? I mean t'say, that Hingis girl turned out to be better at following lines of Charlie rather than baselines and Mr Fed-Express certainly came off the rails at The most recent Oz Open, ...hardly world beaters!!!...they'll be telling us the Pyramid designers were fed a regular diet of Toblerone next.

Understandably tho' the next life block of personal development you wish to lay involves a pilgrimage to one of the oldest and deepest mineral water sources in Europe...fed by the very raindrops which ensued from the heavens over 5,000 yrs ago - a time when a Post-it note meant a clay tablet, changing rooms involved some new cave paintings and reinventing the wheel wasn’t an option!

The journey along the Road to Wellville is likely to test your deepest inner resolve, love of fellow (Sunday) drivers and patience, especially if we put you on hold. And even when you do manage to spot a gap in oncoming traffic and zoom past a meandering Hymer with it's "back-to-the commune" seeking occupants or an unsprightly ditch-bound Sprite, you still won’t be certain of your final destiny until you Check-in…or will you?

10 REASONS NOT TO STAY AT THE BUCKINGHAM

1. We ain't been featured on a Hotel Inspector
2. We’re not in Buckingham
3. The Milk Tray Man doesn’t enter via yr bedroom window and leave a white Malteeser on the non allergy pillow
4. None of our 6 cask ales has been endorsed by Jack Dee
5. Our lift isn't fluent in 12 languages
6. We don't charge you £95/hr to use our free Wireless facility
7. You won't be able to order your breakfast in Polish
8. You'll never have to make your bed and lie in it
9. Because Johnny Vegas slept here*
10. We're bloody high up
11. But not stuck up

The Last Recorded incident of 'Happy Guests'

No hard sell so far eh! Aaah but no doubt some of you see your glass as half full rather than empty and eschew the negative approach. Just for you then, oh and in the interests of balance of course, here’s an ever so soft sell (without a hint of tainted love).

15 REASONS TO STAY AT THE BUCKINGHAM

1. There’s no threat of Coastal Erosion
2. We’re not gonna be turned into a Super Casino
3. The staff do (voluntarily) eat our food on a regular basis
4. You won’t feel like an uninvited guest at the Ambassador’s Ball (unless you bring a box of Ferrer Rocher)
5. You don’t have to be blind to bring yr dog or need a Custody Order for children to stay
6. We welcomed Hoodies long before Mr Cameron
7. We’ll only smile if we mean it
8. Just like Monopoly, we’ve got Free Parking...but no Jail!
9. It’s FOC to use our Wireless facility
10. Our chef knows how to make a Waldorf Salad
11. Wines - our list is supplied by Laithwaites, priced to sell (250ml from £3.50) and features 24 wines by the glass - the quality is as good as you'll get anywhere!
12. There’s no surcharge if you had a good time
13. The BEST range of draught lagers (7) IN THE COUNTRY...up to 8 Cask Ales...along with a AN UNRIVALLED Selection of Gins/Vodkas - hell, we even serve J/Walker Black, Martin Millers Gin and Stolly Gold & Courvoissier VSOP as our House Pours!!!
14. We serve the meanest coffee around (Pollard's Coffee and a WMF machine)
15. Paddy Burt hasn't black listed us!
    

Jury Still Out? Extra Time needed? As Judge Judy's n/a we've called for various Third Umpires

• The Punters' Views - these are recorded on the guest comment forms that we receive
  
  
• The Hotel Inspector - we were graded 3 Star by the three Grading bodies (AA/RAC/Eng Tourism Council) until mid 2006 at which time we parted company over the handling of 2 guest complaints. We are happy to provide copies of correspondence on request. Scoring high %ages on starchy check lists was never our raison d'être. In hindsight it has proved more beneficial no longer having to follow certain strictures involving the provision of services that were previously necessary, though our facilities and general stds would still meet 3 Star classification
  
  
• We are the officially appointed hotel of the Northern Royals (Reading FC, not The Windsors), an exiles supporters club branch and receive visits from supporter's club coaches en route back to the deep South. The significance of such a discerning endorsement cannot be overstated; in light of the impressive on-field achievements that these supporters have become accustomed to in recent seasons, it is clear that they only dine at the top table so to speak.
  
  
• Institutional Endorsement from Rotary, Probus, High Peak Luncheon Club, etc who all see fit to use us.
  
  
• Trip Advisor, etc. Comments are favourable towards the staff, food & cleanliness. Moans relate to the decor and style of furnishings - rightly so IMO given their dated look. There are plans in the pipeline to significantly alter this but unfortunate circumstances have prevented this to date. The building, whilst not a contender for a 2007 "Hotel Interiors" award does have an impressive footprint - at worst it will never intimidate you, far more likely though that'll you'll feel its warmth (literally at times) and be comfortable within it. Oh and to person who grumbled 'cos of The Reading FC Flag, get a life...unless you're 'Bess of Hardwick'...in which case you've clearly had one and I'll gladly take it down.
  

In Summary: Great staff & gud food in a welcoming, but yesteryear enviornment - Child Friendly, Gay Friendly & Pet Friendly (gay-pet friendly too) accommodation in Buxton.

The House That Ramsay Built

The healing properties of Buxton's spa water first drew visitors to the town in Roman times. Over the centuries people have continued to visit though happily today their reasons are more for pleasure than medicinal. Originally built as two gentleman's residences, No 1 Burlington Road was known as 'Rockhaven' (1875) and No 2 as 'Buckingham' (1876).

Around the turn of the century, Rockhaven was acquired by Mr & Mrs George Ramsay-Mrs Ramsay running it as a lodging house. Her husband, George S Ramsay was a well known artist in oils, specialising in local scenes. Records show that in 1906 Mr and Mrs Ramsay moved to Aylestone in Leicestershire where he continued to paint. Shortly after this the two houses were combined to make the hotel as it stands today.

The new millenium saw The Buckingham entering it's third century of offering hospitality to visitors. As well as being an important town landmark the hotel plays host to many local clubs and associations as well as enjoying much local patronage via Ramsay's Restaurant and Real Ale Bar.

Location Location Location

The imposing sandstone building enjoys a peaceful, leafy location overlooking The Serpentine (Park) on one side (right) and the beautifully restored Pavilion Gardens to the front (below). Within the Gardens are the Conservatory, Octagon Hall, Spa Water pool and Bandstand plus a lake, miniature railway...and um, ducks...who swan (!) around as tho' they own the place.

Greenery abounds in all directions and the blend of trees, lawns and flora along with the quietness of the immediate area (broadly residential) combine sublimely to produce a relaxing atmosphere, which can only be fully appreciated first hand. The Opera House, Georgian Crescent, Pump Room and St Ann's Well are all 5 min or so level walk and form a gateway into the unique town centre that is Buxton.

We do indeed benefit from close proximity to the centre whilst remaining undisturbed from the associated fallout (late night revellers, etc). However we are on the edge of the Peak District which is renowned for it's lime related industries (cement not the gin accessory). The odd laden truck does pass the hotel in the early hours (6-ish) and may wake those whose usual sole disturbance is the postman, sorry...Postperson, delivering post 9am.

Bedrooms

• 20" remote Teletext TVs with satellite channels
  (Sky News, Sky One, Film 4, BBC3/4, 4 x Sky Sports channels)
• Direct Dial telephones (international operator collect call facility via reception)
• Modem connection point (shared with telephone)
• Hairdryer & trouser press (a separate ironing room is available)
• Complimentary hot beverage tray (decaffeinated & herbal teas are available)
• Extras size bath towels & non-allergy pillows are standard
• Sony Self-setting radio/alarm clocks

Rooms are designated standard or superior, the latter being larger or enjoying what are generally considered better aspects or featuring refurbished bathrooms. The majority of our rooms are non-smoking and most are served by a lift.

36 rooms are either double or twin bedded with most twins being family rooms (double + single bed). An extra bed can be added to allow these rooms to comfortably sleep 2A/2C (or be used as triple rooms) and cots are available.

With only one single room the vast majority of those requiring single rooms benefit from sole occupancy of a double/family room.

Ports of Call Suite

Not quite Footballer's Wives but still a bit of a flash Harry room with some nice chavvy touches. Though not a suite in the strictest sense, the room is large enough to accommodate comfortable chairs in a separate seating area. The imposing wooden king size bed is handmade and the room decorated in bright colours. The bathroom features a pair of matching sinks and has a claw-foot bath.

Guest Knick Knacks

• A lounge (with TV)
• An ice machine (first floor)
• A collection of books, maps and walking guides covering Buxton and the area which guests may borrow or buy
• Free parking in the hotel's grounds
• Same day laundry service (though dry cleaning only may be restricted at weekends)
• Ironing room

Ramsay's Restaurant

We currently have a single menu for both the bar & restaurant areas. The bulk of Main-Courses are £6.95/£7.95.

We no longer offer a dinner, bed & breakfast tariff, simply because it's now cheaper than before to stay on a B&B basis and dine off the new menu than pay the previous combined dbb rates. For groups and special occasions we can put together bespoke table d'hôte menus - from £20.50. Serving time is 6.30/7.00 - 8/8.30pm though earlier dining is available during the various festivals.

We also offer meal stops for groups and tours that visit Buxton - menus are bespoke and can be matched to all budgets and schedules, so if you're visiting the Peak District and require a meal stop, please get in touch.

Ramsay's Real Ale Bar - UNDERGOING REFURBISHMENT

Named after local artist George Ramsay who lived in The Buckingham, Ramsay's Bar enjoys much local patronage-the blend of guests and residents producing a natural, pleasant atmosphere as well as allowing you to experience the local community first hand...ho hum.

Draught - As well as 7 (Seven) World Class Draught Lagers (see below), served in Iced Glasses, the bar is CAMRA listed and certainly has the finest independent selection of draught real ales in town, if not the surrounding area with a choice of up to 8 cask ales, including 4 local treasures (see below).

Spirits - A comprehensive range of spirits includes almost certainly THE BEST range of Gins (12+) & Vodkas (30+) you'll find on any bar in this Country!!!

Wines - nowhere else will you find the quality offered at such affordable prices + 24 or so wines by the 250ml glass with prices starting at £3.50. With 4 Pinot's, 7 Shiraz's, 7 Sauvignion's, 10 Chardonnay's to start with, you'll be in HeaVin!

Along with a great range of still Juices plus Belvoir Farm's Juices served with our self-filtered Carbonated Water & Salty Dog Crisps n Nutz...

Local redsidents attending a wake in the bar (May 2007)

DRAUGHT BEERS

LAGERS - THE BEST RANGE IN THE COUNTRY - GTD FEMALE FRIENDLY TOO LAYDEEZ!!

• Peroni
  So the Italians don’t do lager eh? Whether you’ve experienced bottled Peroni or not – prepare to be blown away by the draught version. Peroni Nastro Azzurro (translated from Italian means 'Blue Ribbon'), is a straw coloured premium lager (5.1%) and has been imported since 1965. The taste is crisp, refreshing and dry, with a delicate aroma,
  which comes from the use of an exclusive variety of hop. Itz a triumph of taste over pure strength compared to many of the stronger lagers which just taste 'strong' – and deliver way too much alcohol hitting the back of the throat. There
  is no bitter twang at the end – it holds that sublime taste to the very end, like champagne, yum!
  
  ~ He may pinch your cheeks, but not yer bum (or so he tells us!) Ciao !!! ~

• Edelweiss
  So, next up is an Austrian Gent – a real (5.5%) Diamond Geezer if ever there was! Edelweiß (noble and white), the queen of the mountain flowers, is a small, white and woolly flowering plant that grows high in the rocky cliffs of the Austrian and Bavarian alps. The beer itself is a Wheat Beer...why bother you may ask, given the proximity to
  Bavaria and all that Teutonic superiority and purity law stuff.
  
  A quick aside if I may... Wheat Beer recipes are as old as Babylon, where wheat grain was often used to make a heady brew - in The Middle Ages was considered the brew of the nobility. Most beers of the period were dark and consuming this Weissbier or white beer was therefore a mark of distinction. Similarly, the Bavarian tradition of brewing goes back centuries. The famed Reinheitsgebot - the German purity law established in 1516 - continues to control the way beer is made in this centre of the beer universe. Malt, hops, yeast and water are the only ingredients allowed under this aged law. No preservatives are allowed and no fruit flavourings. By malt most will think barley, but there is another kind, less common but equally delightful and that is wheat (bet you can’t drink three!)
  
  Back to the original question – Any Good??? Um...Gold Medal Winner in the 2000 World Beer Championships – Best Bavarian stylee Wheat Beer – not bad considering itz Austrian, plus numerous other awards which basically proclaim this to be the sexiest Wheat Beer of them all – its drinks Leffe & Hoegaarden for breakfast! The aroma and flavour of a weissbier (wheat beer) are decidedly fruity and intensely aromatic; “this is hazy yellow, medium bodied, - reminiscent of cloves, bananas & flowers. Fine carbonation with a lively frothy mouth feel, beautifully wrought classic spicy flavours linger with a fresh finish. The lack of hops translates to v little bitterness – it is naturally cloudy due to the yeast.
  ~ He may not have the most Sparkly eyes but he’s definitely not a bitter & twisted Chappie! ~

• Budvar Budweiser
  To quote Budvar “Our 5% Czech Premium Lager is beer for light beer lovers. The most gentle heads of the high quality Žatec hop, virgin clear water from 300m deep Artesian wells and granules of selected species of Moravian barley make it the beverage of real experts.
  
  The 700-year long tradition in production of České Budějovice beer and the unique, 90-day period of maturity increase its unique character. You can taste Budweiser Budvar Czech Premium Lager with all your senses. First of all you will delight your eyes with its beautiful colour and rich dense foam, then you will feel the fine aroma of the hops, in your palm you will stroke the dewy glass and, in the end, you will taste the fine to medium strong bitterness. You will remember well, our perfect lager”.
  
  Mmmm...all we’re gonna say is that in life you eat n drink certain things simply ‘cos they’re placed in front of ya – this is 1 of those occasions – find a bad written word about Draught Budvar and we’ll...scream and scream and... This has a really really unique full taste, it has some "sweet" bitterness, a really explicit hop flavour and...NO aftertaste. BTW, this Budweiser is totally unrelated to the Anericano Bud that those frogs drink...after years of squabbling about who’s allowed to use the name, the EU ruled that the brand “Budweiser” belongs to Budvar, not to the house of bland, Anheuser-Busch! Miaoowww!
  
  ~ Definitely a bit of an East European Charmer who’s got the breeding to match (and a forged work permit too!) ~

• Asahi
  Asahi (pronounced “Ah-sah-hee”) means “Rising Sun” and is the best selling lager in Asia and one of he Top 7 selling lagers in the world (oh, itz our personal fav too!). It’s known as Asahi Super Dry – not ‘cos itz like eating chalk, but rather a reference to the clinical, crisp pure taste that you’ll experience. – coupled with a complex aroma that results in an elegant and sophisticated flavour.
  
  It gets sexier tho’ - the beer is brewed for the whole of Europe in Prague (by Hiroshi Kimura), their entire output is bottled...as is ALL the Asahi produced in the world...’cept, that is...what’s brewed in the UK?!?
  Y’see, they entrusted the Brits not only to brew it on their behalf to bottle, but also to produce a sexy draught version. The lucky mob were Kent based Shepherd Neame who worked closely with Hiroshi Kimura to create a "super-cool" lager dispensed at 3°C rather than the 7/8°C used previously. The result is an even smoother, cleaner taste that enhances the subtle flavours of the beer and makes it more drinkable (5%).
  
  Shepherd Neame production and distribution director Ian Dixon said: "With their bottled beer, Asahi are peerless but we felt we were able to offer assistance when it came to keg dispense and presentation." And Boy DID they get it right! ! This is a rare delight and rarely available on draught – miss it at yr peril!
  
  ~ A Fella who knows how to produce maximum pleasure with so little apparent effort! ~

• Cains Liverpool Lager
  Our standard lager is Cains Liverpool Lager (4%). In simple terms this is our offering in lieu of Darling, Cockfosters, et al.
  
  First n foremost, its really nice – in a “‘lambs in the meadow” sort of way...nah, it is pleasant, pleasingly pleasant...As our Std Lager Bearer, WE LOVE IT as it happily sees off all contenders, be they Carling, Fosters, Carlsberg, Catlemaine GTX, blah...blah.
  
  Secondly itz an English lager in terms of a home developed product.
  
  Thirdly, the Cains story is remarkable – look it up sometime – the 2 guys who bought the ale(ing) brewey in 2002 are brothers who pretty much rescued it from financial meltdown.
  
  Fourthly Liverpool is the 2008 European City of Culture.
  
  Fifthly, ManU fans won’t drink it...but then none of you support them do ya?!?
  
  ~ So if you like a bit of Scouse Charm give this Likely Lad a go...”Calm Down, Calm Down” (who said that!!!) ~
  
  
• Budvar Dark
  Everyone loves a Dark Horse and this is a thoroughbred! From that renowned Budvar Stable comes their Premuim Dark Lager (4.7%), first raced in 2004. It’s produced in the same manner as the original Budvar (see above) but with 3 types of special colour barley malt: munich, caramel & roasted. It’s the perfect Sweet n Sour Combo; dry, fine bitter caramel flavour without dominant sweetness...yum!
  
  I’ll be honest here... a lot of dark beers are fine for a quick swig in a kinda novelty way – we took 1 sip of this...and then another...and another! It’s a sexy drink in its own right. The flavour is made delicious by the roasted malt whose flavours explode on the palate in a most unexpected manner - while bitterness is the flavour most often found, this black beauty boasts a real hind leg wallop of roasted flavours
  upfront. Despite this, it remains a very delicate, light bodied beer – on draught
  it’s rarer than a straight bookie, so do have a flutter!
  
  ~ Rest assured Ladyeez, this Chap does eventually does develop some nice creamy undertones (or even some teenage kicks) but it’s his wonderful roasted flavours that will forever remain prancing on yr palate! ~
  
• Konig Ludwig
  And last but not least...a fruity cocktail sexier than the Ambrosia that used to be served up at the best gin joints on Mt Olympus. Fruity beers? Forget that fizzy Ribena coloured stuff like Fruli – this is a Prince among beers, literally!
  
  Konig Ludwig Weiss is no ordinary beer – itz brewed at Bavaria's prestigious Kaltenberg castle brewery (40 kilometres west of Munich) as well as at a secondary facility in Furstenfeldbruck - most of the wheat beer is actually produced at the latter location and the operation is overseen by, wait for
  it...Prince Luitpold, the great grandson of Bavaria’s last king. In Germany, the beer is known as Prinzregent Luitpold Weiss.
  
  The prince is a descendant of Germany's famous Wittelsbach family, and his line has a long tradition of involvement with brewing. The very first ittelsbach to establish a Munich brewery was Duke Ludwig the Severe way back in 1260. Roughly a quarter of a millennium later, the famous Wilhelm IV established the Reinheitsgebot, or beer purity law in 1516. It still stands today. In 1810 Ludwig I got married and started the tradition of Oktoberfest. In 1874, Ludwig II, the "Mad King" of Bavaria, established a brewing university in Weihenstephan.
  
  It’s cloudy golden in colour (the haze is derived from the special Bavarian Brewers yeast. It pours with a thick, creamy and towering head and a spicy vanilla nose. It has a nice balanced flavour, with malty overtones packed with clove and banana notes. A touch of apple is present too and the finish... a
  stimulating experience that leaves you with an unmistakably fruity tingle that is very, very refreshing. It's easy to drink a lot of this beer (trust us, we know!)
  
  ~ So if you dream of being swept off yr feet by of a Prince from Faraway Lands – now’s your chance – as to whether he’s handsome or not...beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, apparently!! ~

REAL ALE (Cask) - x 8 handpumps as (currently) as follows:

• Hartington Ale - brewed 10 miles down the road by Whim Ales (well by Joe the Master Brewer & Grand Hop Wizard Extraordinaire actually, ably assisted by Jason n an [unamed] female tea-maker)
• Bakewell Bitter (Peak Ales) brewed with a rare dedication to consistency on The Chatsworth Estate by Robert, ably asisted by Debra
• Thornbridge Guest Beer - When brewed, we have access to the monthly 'guest ale' brewed by award winning Malt Maestros Thornbridge Hall, nr Bakewell (only 40 barrels are brewed each month)
• Wren's Nest - Supreme Champion SIBA National Beer Comp 2007 - (Howard Town Brewery Ltd, Glossop, Derbys)
• 4 other Guest Pumps featuring selected ales from here, there n everywhere (literally)!
  
  

OTHER STUFF on tap

• Worthington Creamflow
• Guinness Stout
• Guinness Extra Cold
• Thatchers Gold Cider
• Thatchers Traditional (real/hazy cider)
• Carling C2 (2%) - 4pts n legal to drive

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