Solomon’s Temple

About trip

Buxton has retained many of the attractions from its heyday as a spa town when visitors combined 'taking the waters' with an inland holiday. One of the most impressive buildings in Buxton is The Crescent built in 1780 by John Carr for the Duke of Devonshire. After an extensive restoration program it reopened in 2007 as a hotel and thermal spa. Poole's Cavern in Buxton Country Park is open to the public and its visitor centre gives an interesting insight into the historical, geological and archaeological past. The walk skirts Grin Low Woods and then climbs out on to the stark limestone moors before moving to Solomon's Temple with its vantage point above the town. Directions: a From Poole’s Cavern car park turn right and walk back along the road towards the town. b Follow the road past the school and round the left-hand bend. Turn right at a signposted gap between the houses and walk through a series of fields. c Turn right along the metalled drive. d At a group of houses, cross a cattle grid and turn right. Climb over the wall using the step stile and turn immediately left. Follow the wall uphill, keeping to the right of Fern House and its woodland. Continue ahead over the crest of the hill and down to the road. e Bear left across the road and into the dip. Turn right through a gate on to a farm track. f Follow the signs around the farmyard and out along its access track. Follow the track over open fields of the limestone moor. g Turn right and follow the road for about ¼ mile (400m). h Turn left at a signpost, uphill along a cart track. Pass a group of farm buildings and follow the direction of a second signpost. Head towards the prominent tower on top of Grin Law. i Go downhill through the narrow stile with a signpost and then on to a second boundary wall. Do not cross the wall. j Turn left at the wall. Walk ahead on a cart track and enter the woods of Grin Plantation by climbing a gateside stile. Follow a wide path, which gradually descends beneath the mature trees. Ignore any side paths. k Turn right down a flight of steps leading directly to the car park. Places of Interest: 1 Poole's Cavern. Classed as one of Charles Cotton's seven 'Wonders of the Peak' in 1680, this natural cave was once the home of Stone Age Man. It has attracted explorers from as far back as the 16th century – Mary Queen of Scots is said to have visited in 1582. The showcave closed in 1965 but re-opened in 1976 and its history is explained in the adjacent visitor centre. 2 Solomon's Temple. This Victorian folly built in 1895 for a local farmer and landowner, Solomon Mycock, by the unemployed of the area – a type of Victorian job creation scheme. It sits on top of a prehistoric mound and at 1,300ft (396m) it makes an excellent vantage point above Buxton and the surrounding moors – Mam Tor can be seen on a clear day.