The Lee Wood Hotel
The Lee Wood is a beautiful, family-run hotel which is just a short (and very pleasant) walk from Buxton town centre. Due to its location, the hotel is a popular choice with visitors to the Peak District whilst locals recognise it as one of Buxton’s premier venues for weddings and celebratory events, without realising that the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner every day and that the bar is open for anyone to use…which is a shame as their Chefs are renowned for their imaginative use of local produce, the restaurant is wonderful and the hotel is set in stunning surroundings.
Gemma and I decided that the restaurant would prove a lovely place to celebrate our wedding anniversary, almost two years after getting married here.
Eating out following lockdown, trying to return to what was once ‘normal’ can still seem a little daunting for some people, but you needn’t worry at The Lee Wood as the hotel has been awarded COVID Secure by the Quality and Tourism Board. The Lee Wood offers private dining “bubbles” for people wanting to be extra careful with COVID, but all the tables in the Conservatory are 1m plus away from each other. They have also designed an app to allow guests to order food and drinks via their smartphone if they wish.
It does make dining here very comfortable, despite the circumstances, and it was nice to be able to sit at a safe distance from other guests whilst enjoying the wonderful views from the conservatory without the hindrance of temporary screens and perspex sheeting.
We had reserved our table in advance and we were made to feel very welcome when we arrived. The Lee Wood is a family-run hotel and you are made to feel a part of that family during your visit. It was like catching up with old friends who we hadn’t seen since the wedding. The staff remembered us and chatted about what’s changed over the past couple of years since we last visited, whilst cooing over Arthur who was fast asleep in his pushchair.
We were given seats in the bar and had a welcome drink whilst we made our choices from the menu. Despite the fact that is has been scaled down a little following lockdown, there’s still a good selection to choose from, along with a good choice of daily specials.
To start with, I ordered a beautifully presented Heirloom Tomato, Basil and Buffalo Mozzarella Salad whilst Gemma opted for the Traditional Smoked Salmon Plate with Lemon, Capers, Shallots and Brown Bread. As you’ll see from the photos below, our dishes looked beautiful and we can assure you that they tasted just as good as they looked.
For our main course, we both chose from the Daily Specials. I decided upon Pan-Seared Salmon, Mashed Potatoes and Ratatouille Sauce served with Seasonal Vegetables whilst Gemma chose Oven Baked Chicken Breast, Dauphinoise Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables served with a Dianne Sauce.
Once again, the presentation was second to none and the food tasted absolutely delicious, cooked to perfection. We washed our meals down with a very interesting Romanian Sauvignon Blanc, which complemented our meal choices rather nicely.
To round off what was an exquisite meal I enjoyed cheese and biscuits whilst Gemma chose a Selection of Ice Creams served in Brandy Snap Basket. A perfect ending to a wonderful dining experience.
If you live in Buxton, then you really must add lunch or dinner at The Lee Wood to your to-do list, we promise that you won’t be disappointed. Furthermore, throughout September you can get a 20% discount per person (up to £10) each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The September offer is available at both lunch and dinner times but tables must be pre-booked and are subject to availability. For more information please visit the Lee Wood Hotel website or telephone 01298 23002
Review Summary
Looking for a great place to stay in Buxton? The Westminster Hotel is a family-run hotel that enjoys an enviable position overlooking the beautifully landscaped Pavilion Gardens. Just a short walk from the Town Centre, the hotel is perfectly situated for discovering all that Buxton has to offer.
Telephone 01298 23929 or visit https://westminsterhotel.co.uk/ to learn more.
