British Envoy was less than impressed
REPRODUCED is a Buxton Market Square watercolour painted by T Wakeman c1840.
The Eagle is the principal inn, in the centre.
During this period, though it was popular as a spa town, many tourists found Buxton unattractive. This had much to do with the climate.
The only sparkle that was sometimes added to the town was when the Duke of Devonshire, the Marquis of Hartington or other aristocracy chose to visit.
In Trevor Brighton's book The Discovery of the Peak District, Sir Robert Murray Keith, British Envoy to Vienna stays in the town and writes: "The climate is extremely bad and rainy and the countryside around is the most bleak and dreary I ever saw. But the new hotels built by the Duke of Devonshire ...are very magnificent.
"However, the place is so dull and affords so little variety that nothing occurs, the relation of which could either interest or amuse you.
"We are not, though entirely without amusements. There is dancing most nights and a set of strolling players are expected tomorrow. We have also had two conjurors and a dancing bear."
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Weather for Buxton
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
