Solomon's Temple and Grin Low Woods from Buxton
Derbyshire
Solomon's Temple is a 6 metre, two-storey Victorian tower on the summit of Grin Low, the hill that rises above the spa town of Buxton. It's a lead-only walk for dogs under Buxton Country Park rules, but a gentle, well-shaded one through Grin Low Woods on the way to the tower. It was built in 1896 on the site of a Bronze Age burial mound, replacing an earlier folly put up by a local innkeeper called Solomon Mycock, and was restored by public subscription in 1988. A stair inside leads to an open top with 360 degree views. The hill is wrapped in Grin Low Woods, 100 acres of woodland managed by the Buxton Civic Association, where old lime-burning quarries have grown over. This 5km circuit leaves from Pavilion Gardens, follows Temple Road to Poole's Cavern and climbs through the woods to the tower before returning on a woodland path. There are about 145 metres of climbing.
This is a dog friendly walk with a welcome at the end, but it is an on-lead outing. The Buxton Civic Association asks for dogs to be kept on a lead at all times in the country park, and the first part of the route is through town. Dogs are welcome in the Poole's Cavern cafe, and there are water bowls outside the visitor centre and in the cafe. The woods give good shade on warm days, while the top of Grin Low is open grassland. Pavilion Gardens car park is pay and display, with toilets and a cafe nearby.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- None
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Poole's Cavern visitor centre cafe welcomes dogs (water bowls provided); toilets and cafes at Pavilion Gardens.
- Parking
- Pavilion Gardens car park, Buxton, pay and display; paid parking also at Poole's Cavern visitor centre (SK17 9DH).
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Solomon's Temple and Grin Low Woods from Buxton, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in DerbyshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Solomon's Temple and Grin Low Woods from Buxton dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk, which earns a 7/10 for dog friendliness. The route passes through Grin Low Woods, which offer good shade on warmer days, and dogs are also welcome inside the Poole's Cavern café, where water bowls are provided outside the visitor centre and inside the café too.
Can dogs be off lead at Solomon's Temple and Grin Low Woods from Buxton?
No — this is an on-lead walk throughout. The Buxton Civic Association requires dogs to be kept on a lead at all times within the country park, and the first section of the route passes through town, so leads are essential from the start.
What should I know before visiting Solomon's Temple and Grin Low Woods from Buxton with my dog?
This is a 5km circular route starting from Pavilion Gardens in Buxton, with around 145 metres of climbing — gentle enough for most dogs, but worth knowing about. Parking at Pavilion Gardens car park is pay and display, and there are toilets and cafés nearby; the Poole's Cavern café en route also welcomes dogs and has water bowls available. The wooded sections provide welcome shade, though the summit of Grin Low is open grassland, so bring water for your dog on warmer days.
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