Solomon’s Temple walk, Buxton (2.4km circular)

High above the Victorian spa town of Buxton, stands Solomon’s Tower proudly perched on the summit of Grin Low. The views from the top are very impressive, and on a very clear day you can even see across to Mam Tor.

It’s an easy walk through woodland from the Poole’s Cavern car park to the summit. There is a slight incline to the top, but kids will be distracted by woodland carvings and information boards along the way. It’s another one of our favourite Peak District family walks.

Solomon’s Temple is a viewpoint tower built in 1896 on the site of a tumulus, which is a Neolithic burial mound. It replaced an earlier structure and probably takes its name from Solomon Mycock, who rented the land in the early 1800s.

Grin Low, which Solomon’s Temple is built on, was the main location for the early Buxton lime industry. The large, oddly shaped mounds, you will notice on the walk are widespread remains of over 100 large ‘pudding’ lime kilns, built of earth and rock, which date from the 17th–19th centuries, as well as spoil heaps of waste material from these times. 

Solomon’s Temple walk map

On all Peak District family walks it’s a good idea to have an Ordnance Survey paper map with you, even if you have your phone on you. For this walk you need the OS Explorer Active Map OL 24 (White Peak). It’s also a good opportunity to show young kids the map features and get them started with map reading.

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	The Peak District: White Peak Area Map | Weatherproof | Peak…	£13.99	Buy on Amazon

This route follows an anticlockwise direction.

Get a printable download of this walk

Need to know

DISTANCE OF WALK: 2.4km / 1.5 miles

TYPE OF WALK: circular woodland walk to a viewpoint

PARKING: There is paid parking at Poole’s Cavern Car Park. Click here for Google Map point, postcode SK17 9DH. £2.00 for 4 hours, or £3.00 all day. Both cards and cash accepted.

WALK HIGHLIGHTS: Views over Buxton and beyond from the summit of Grin Low, climb the staircase to the top of Solomon’s Temple, woodland carvings to find in the woods.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: Without kids, this is a 45 minute walk. Allow over 2 hours with young kids.

TOTAL ASCENT: 110 metres

FACILITIES: Public toilets can be found next to the entrance for Poole’s Cavern. There’s also a café here.

The route

START: Poole’s Cavern Car Park
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: SK 0496 7260
Post code: SK17 9DH
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Route follows an anticlockwise direction.

1. From the car park, take the path that leads upwards behind the information board. You can take the steps or the slope to the left, they both meet at the same point.

4. Once you reach Solomon’s Temple you can go inside and climb the spiral staircase to the top. Be careful, it’s narrow and slippy!

5. To head back down, take the footpath immediately opposite the front door of Solomon’s Temple and climb through the stile overlooking Buxton. Follow the path downwards, allowing the kids to take detours to play.

6. You will soon spot a footpath that leads back into the woods. Take this path on the left, down to the wooden gate.

7. Walk through the stile and follow the footpath straight ahead for 350 metres. This leads back to the footpath that you walked along to get to Solomon’s Temple. Take a right at the junction and follow the footpath back down to the car park.

After your walk

A visit to Solomon’s Temple can be combined with a visit to Poole’s Cavern as the Solomon’s Temple walk starts from the same car park. On the other side of the car park is Go Ape Buxton one of the highest Go Ape courses in the UK, although there is a minimum age restriction of 10 years and a minimum height restriction of 1.4 metres.

Otherwise, head in to Buxton to the Pavillion Gardens. Let the kids go wild in the playground, grab an ice-cream from the Pavillions, or top up your water bottles with fresh spring water from St. Anne’s Well. Check out our top things to do in Buxton with kids for more information and ideas.