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

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

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

1. Distance from The Gathering House: Approx. 1 mile to Poole’s Cavern

2. Total circular walk: 3–5 miles depending on your route

3. Time: 2–3 hours (longer if you visit the cave)

4. Difficulty: Easy to moderate

5. Suitable for: Families, couples, walking groups and anyone wanting Peak District scenery without committing to an all-day hike.

Walking Directions from The Gathering House

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 and gives the cavern its memorable name.

As with many local legends, the truth is probably somewhere between history and imagination.

Grin Low Woods

Even if caves aren’t really your thing, the woodland surrounding them is worth visiting on its own.

Grin Low Woods is a mixture of mature beech, ash and sycamore woodland, with wide gravel paths making it accessible for most visitors.

In spring you’ll find carpets of bluebells.

In autumn, the woodland becomes one of Buxton’s best places for colourful walks.

Throughout the year there are benches dotted around where you can stop for a drink, listen to the birds and pretend you’ve accidentally become one of those people who owns binoculars.

Climbing to Solomon’s Temple

From Poole’s Cavern, continue following the signs uphill towards Solomon’s Temple.

This is the steepest section of the walk, although it’s relatively short.

The woodland gradually opens until you reach the stone tower sitting proudly on top of Grin Low Hill.

It isn’t difficult to see why this became one of Buxton’s most photographed landmarks.

The History of 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 rather than any defensive structure.

The name “Solomon’s Temple” is something of 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.

Sometimes history simply refuses to explain itself.

The View from the Top

If the tower is open during your visit, climb the narrow spiral staircase to the viewing platform.

On a clear day you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views across:

1. Buxton

2. The Wye Valley

3. Chrome Hill

4. Parkhouse Hill

5. Kinder Scout in the distance

6. 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.

Feeling Adventurous? Try Go Ape

Just a few minutes from Poole’s Cavern you’ll also find Go Ape Buxton.

If one member of your group likes climbing, zip wires and wobbling rope bridges while everyone else enjoys watching from the ground with coffee in hand, this works surprisingly well.

Courses include:

1. Zip lines

2. Rope bridges

3. High platforms

4. Tarzan swings

5. Junior courses for younger visitors

It’s a fun option if you’re staying for several days and want to mix walking with something a little different.

Extend the Walk

If you still have plenty of energy, several trails continue beyond Solomon’s Temple.

You can extend your route towards:

1. Buxton Country Park

2. Goyt Valley

3. Axe Edge Moor

4. The High Peak Trail (by car or longer hike)

Or simply wander back through the woods using one of the many intersecting paths.

It’s difficult to get completely lost—the trails are generally well signposted—and almost every route eventually rewards you with another viewpoint.

Practical Tips

1. Wear decent footwear after wet weather as woodland paths can become muddy.

2. Bring a light jacket—even in summer the cave stays at around 7°C all year.

3. Book Poole’s Cavern tickets in advance during school holidays.

4. Allow extra time if you plan to climb Solomon’s Temple or visit Go Ape.

5. Dogs are welcome in the woodland but aren’t permitted on standard cave tours.

Staying at The Gathering House

One of the best things about staying at The Gathering House is that walks like this begin from the front door.

There’s no searching for parking spaces or squeezing into busy Peak District car parks. Simply grab a coffee, head out on foot and within half an hour you’ll be exploring ancient caves, woodland trails and one of Buxton’s best viewpoints.

Afterwards, you’re only a pleasant walk back into town where you can reward yourself with lunch, a drink or an entirely justified slice of cake before heading back to the house.

Other walks you might enjoy

If you’re planning a longer stay, you could also explore:

1. Pavilion Gardens and the Buxton Crescent

2. The Monsal Trail

3. Kinder Scout

4. Mam Tor and Winnats Pass

5. Luds Church

6. Three Shires Head

These are all within easy reach from The Gathering House and make excellent day trips while exploring the Peak District.