Solomon's Temple

Solomon’s Temple is a Victorian folly perched on Grin Low hill above Buxton, offering panoramic views across the town and the wider Peak District. Visible from the upper floors of The George, it makes a perfect leg stretcher straight from your Together Travel apartment, rewarding you with big sky scenery for a relatively short climb.

Key information at a glance

Location: Grin Low hill above Buxton, accessed via Buxton Country Park SK17 6UJ or Poole’s Cavern visitor centre SK17 9DH
Distance from accommodation: Around 20–30 minutes on foot from central Buxton; visible from The George apartments
Duration: 45–90 minutes for a circular walk, depending on pace and photo stops
Suitable for: Couples, families, walkers, photographers, dog walkers (on leads where requested)
Season / opening: Accessible year round, though paths can be muddy in wet or wintry weather
Accessibility: Involves uphill walking on uneven paths and a narrow internal staircase in the tower; not suitable for all mobility levels. Please check locally for current path conditions.

What to expect 

The walk to Solomon’s Temple typically starts from Buxton town or Poole’s Cavern car park, winding up through Buxton Country Park and Grin Low Woods before emerging onto open hillside. It is a relatively short but steady climb, with woodland carvings and information boards along the way that keep things interesting, especially for younger walkers. As you break out of the trees, the stone tower of Solomon’s Temple appears ahead, standing proudly on the summit.

The folly itself was built in the late 1800s on top of a Bronze Age burial mound, replacing an earlier tower and originally providing employment for local workers rather than serving a defensive role. Today it acts as a simple but spectacular viewing platform: climb the narrow internal staircase and you can enjoy sweeping views over Buxton, the surrounding dales and, on a clear day, many miles of Peak District countryside in every direction. It is a lovely spot to pause with a camera or a flask before looping back down via woodland paths.

Staying with Together Travel means this classic Buxton walk is almost on your doorstep, making it easy to fit a morning or evening stroll up to the tower around spa visits, café stops and other local adventures.

Practical Information

Opening / operating pattern: The hill and tower are freely accessible all year, though short daylight hours and weather can affect how enjoyable the walk is, particularly in winter.
Booking: No booking is required; simply choose your route and set out from Buxton or Poole’s Cavern car park.
Typical price: Visiting Solomon’s Temple itself is free; parking charges apply at Poole’s Cavern car park if you start your walk there.
Restrictions: Paths can be steep, uneven and muddy, so suitable footwear is recommended; the narrow stairs and exposed summit may not suit those with mobility issues, vertigo or very young children without close supervision

Stay with Together Travel

Make the walk to Solomon’s Temple part of your stay at our Buxton apartments at The George, where you can see the tower from the building and reach the start of the route in minutes. Our local team can suggest their favourite circular routes, advise on where to park if you prefer a shorter climb, and recommend nearby cafés, pubs and attractions to turn your outing into a full Buxton day.

FAQ

Why was Solomon’s Temple built in Buxton?
Solomon’s Temple was built in the late 19th century as a Victorian folly on top of an earlier tower site, partly to provide local employment and partly as a decorative landmark overlooking Buxton and the surrounding landscape. It also stands on a Bronze Age burial mound, adding archaeological interest to its scenic setting.

How long does it take to walk to Solomon’s Temple?
From Buxton or Poole’s Cavern car park, most visitors reach Solomon’s Temple in around 20 minutes of steady uphill walking, with popular circular routes taking roughly 45–90 minutes in total depending on pace, photo stops and the path you choose.

What is special about Solomon’s Temple?
Solomon’s Temple is special for its combination of history, archaeology and views: this simple stone tower crowns Grin Low hill, sits atop an ancient burial mound, and offers far reaching panoramas over Buxton and the Peak District from its viewing platform. The short, family friendly climb to the top makes it an accessible “mini summit” with a big sense of reward.

Where to park for Solomon’s Temple?
Many walkers choose to park at Poole’s Cavern and Buxton Country Park car park, which provides signed paths up through the woods to Solomon’s Temple, or use pay and display parking in Buxton town and walk up from there. If you are staying at The George with Together Travel, you can simply set out on foot from the apartments and avoid parking altogether.