Solomon's Temple, Grin Low Hill
Perched on the summit of Grin Low Hill at 433 metres, this compact Victorian stone tower rewards a 20-minute uphill stroll through Buxton Country Park with some of the most sweeping views in the entire Peak District — on a clear day you can see all the way to Mam Tor. Built in 1896 on top of a Neolithic burial mound, it is free to climb and utterly exhilarating.
The Climb & the Tower
The most popular approach starts from the Grin Low car park or from the entrance to Poole's Cavern, winding up through 100 acres of mature deciduous woodland in Buxton Country Park before breaking out onto the open limestone hilltop. The path is well-signed and the ascent takes most walkers 15–25 minutes.
Solomon's Temple itself is a 20-foot stone folly with a tight spiral staircase and a sturdy handrail. Climb to the top and you are rewarded with a full 360-degree panorama: the spa town of Buxton laid out in the valley below, limestone dales rolling away in every direction, and the distinctive silhouette of Mam Tor on the northern horizon on a fine day.
History Beneath Your Feet
The tower was built in 1896 by a local farmer, William Gould, partly to provide work for unemployed labourers and partly as a folly-viewpoint for the Victorian visitors who were already flocking to Buxton's spa. It stands on a tumulus — a Neolithic burial mound — making this hilltop a sacred site stretching back thousands of years before the Victorians arrived.
The wider Grin Low Hill is riddled with the remnants of old lime kilns that once processed the local limestone; the woodland that now covers the hillside was planted in the 20th century to screen the industrial scarring, creating the peaceful green corridor walkers enjoy today.
Combining the Walk
The trail naturally links Solomon's Temple with Poole's Cavern below, so you can pair a cave tour in the morning with the hilltop climb after lunch for a full half-day out without needing a car. The round trip from the town centre is roughly 5 km.
For the best light and clearest long-distance views, aim for a mid-morning visit in spring or autumn when the air is sharp and the woodland colours are at their most vivid.
Solomon's Temple, Grin Low Hill on video
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