A Guide to Walking to Solomon’s Temple, Buxton

If you are looking for a short but incredibly rewarding walk in the Peak District, the hike up to Solomon’s Temple should be high on your list.

Standing proudly atop Grin Low Hill, this Victorian folly marks one of the finest viewpoints in Derbyshire, offering sweeping panoramas over the historic spa town of Buxton and as far out as Kinder Scout on a clear day.

Whether you are a keen local historian, a photographer, or just someone looking for a splendid spot to lay out a picnic blanket, it is a wonderful introduction to the landscape of the High Peak.

The Walk: Through the Woods to the Summit

The most effective way to make the best of your visit—especially if it is your first time—is to park at Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre. From here, you have direct access to the trails.

The route up to the temple takes you through a beautiful, 100-acre mature woodland.

On a scorching, sunny day, my dogs and I were incredibly grateful for the cool, sun-dappled shade beneath the ash, willow, rowan, and birch trees.

Keep your eyes peeled as you walk! If you have a little time and patience, this Site of Special Scientific Interest is a haven for wildlife.

You might be lucky enough to spot a pied flycatcher, a greater spotted woodpecker, or even a tawny owl.

You will also notice some beautifully crafted wood carvings along the trail depicting the lime workers and quarrymen who once worked this land.

Reaching Solomon’s Temple

Emerging from the woodland onto the open summit of Grin Low Hill, you are greeted by the striking silhouette of Solomon’s Temple.

Also known as Grinlow Tower, this 20-foot (6.1m) folly was originally built by a local farmer and landowner named Solomon Mycock.

By 1894, only a few stones remained, so a public subscription was launched to rebuild it.

The Duke of Devonshire generously contributed £25 to the cause, and in 1896, the tower we see today was completed.

You can climb the stone steps right inside the tower to the viewing platform.

The prize at the top is spectacular—a 360-degree sightline where you can see for at least fifteen miles across the town, the hills, and the sweeping Derbyshire moors.

A Landscape Steeped in History

While you sit on the summit (it is a magnificent spot for a picnic!), take a moment to survey the land around you. You are actually sitting on a site of ancient significance.

The tower is built directly on top of a Bronze Age burial mound.

During archaeological excavations, ancient skeletal remains from the Beaker period, alongside Roman artefacts, were discovered here.

Looking out across the hillside, you can also spot the distinct circular outlines of old lime kilns (often called “Pudding pie kilns”).

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, this beautiful open space was an industrial, dusty limestone quarry.

The smoke from the kilns and the waste heaps would not have been a pretty sight back then, but it was a vital, dangerous industry that supplied lime mortar to builders and farmers.

Exploring Beyond the Tower: Buxton

After you have walked the circular trail back down through the tranquil woodland to the car park, I highly recommend making the short journey into Buxton itself.

The 5th Duke of Devonshire designed Buxton to be an unrivalled spa town to rival Bath, and the architecture reflects that ambition.

It is a stunning mix of Georgian and Victorian construction. You can wander through the Pavilion Gardens, grab a coffee, and admire the famous Buxton Opera House.

Built in 1903 by the renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham, it is a magnificent Grade II listed building that still hosts incredible live performances today.

Whether you are coming for the sweeping views, the rich history, or simply to stretch your legs on a beautiful Derbyshire trail, Solomon’s Temple really is a perfect afternoon out.