Walk to Poole's Cavern & Solomon's Temple from The Gathering House

Sep 2

3 min read

One of the best walks in Buxton starts without needing to get in the car

If you've booked a stay at The Gathering House, you're only around a 20-25 minute walk from one of the Peak District's most iconic combinations: an ancient limestone cave, peaceful woodland trails, a Victorian hilltop tower and, if you're feeling energetic, an aerial adventure through the trees.

Whether you're visiting for a girls' weekend, a walking holiday or simply fancy stretching your legs before finding a pub, this route is easy to follow and packs plenty into a relatively short distance.

At a Glance

Distance from The Gathering House: Approx. 1 mile to Poole's Cavern
Total circular walk: 3-5 miles depending on your route
Time: 2-3 hours (longer if you visit the cave)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Suitable for: Families, couples, walking groups and anyone wanting Peak District scenery without committing to an all-day hike.

Walking Directions

Leave The Gathering House and turn towards Bath Road (A53). Follow Bath Road uphill until you reach the entrance to Grin Low Country Park. The climb is steady but nothing too dramatic, and as the houses begin to disappear you'll notice the air getting quieter and the trees beginning to surround the path.

Once you enter the woodland, you're officially in Grin Low Woods. This is where Buxton starts to feel less like a spa town and more like the edge of the Peak District.

Several paths weave through the woods, but most lead naturally towards Poole's Cavern before continuing up to Solomon's Temple.

Stop One: Poole's Cavern

Long before Buxton became famous for Georgian crescents and spa visitors, water was quietly carving out one of Derbyshire's most impressive natural caves.

Poole's Cavern stretches over two million years back in geological history. Rainwater slowly dissolved the limestone beneath Grin Low Hill, creating enormous chambers decorated with stalactites and stalagmites that are still growing today.

The cave itself extends for over 300 metres, although only part is accessible on guided tours. Unlike many tourist caves, this isn't full of artificial displays or theme-park lighting. It still feels remarkably natural.

The guided tours explain how the cave formed, point out unusual rock formations and share the story of the cave's famous namesake.

Who was Poole? Legend says the cave was once home to an outlaw called Poole, who supposedly robbed travellers crossing the Peak District before retreating into the cave to hide from the authorities. Whether Poole actually existed remains uncertain, but the story has become part of Buxton folklore.

The History & View from Solomon's Temple

Despite looking much older, Solomon's Temple is actually Victorian. The original tower was built in 1896 to celebrate the public opening of Grin Low Country Park. It stands around 13 metres (39 feet) high and was designed purely as a viewing tower.

The name is a mystery—there is no confirmed connection to King Solomon, and several theories exist, but nobody knows exactly how the name became attached to the tower.

The View from the Top

If the tower is open, climb the narrow spiral staircase to the viewing platform. On a clear day you'll see: Buxton, the Wye Valley, Chrome Hill, Parkhouse Hill, Kinder Scout in the distance, and much of the surrounding Peak District National Park.

It's one of those views that makes the uphill section suddenly seem like an excellent decision.

Why This Walk Works

No sudden climbs.

No navigation stress.

No awkward "how much further?" moments.

Plenty of space to talk — or not.

It's a walk that behaves exactly as promised.