Solomon's Temple, Buxton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Solomon's Temple |
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| Grinlow Tower | |
Solomon's Temple from the south
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| Location | near Buxton, Derbyshire |
| Built | 1896 |
| Architect | W. R. Bryden G. E. Garlick |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Grinlow Tower | |
| Designated | 7 January 1987 |
| Reference no. | 1259254 |
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Solomon's Temple, also known as Grinlow Tower, is a cool old building. It's a type of structure called a "folly," which means it was built mainly for decoration or to be a landmark, not for living in. You can find it on top of Grin Low hill, close to the town of Buxton in the beautiful Peak District area of Derbyshire, England.
About Solomon's Temple
Solomon's Temple is a famous landmark in the Peak District. It's a popular spot for visitors because of its interesting history and the amazing views it offers. The tower itself is a two-story building, about 20 feet (6 meters) tall.
A Tower with a View
The tower sits on a ridge that is 440 meters (1,440 feet) above sea level. From the very top of Solomon's Temple, you get incredible 360-degree views. You can see the town of Buxton, the rolling hills, and other parts of the stunning Peak District countryside. Inside the tower, there's just a staircase that takes you up to the open top.
How It Was Built
The tower you see today isn't the first one on this spot. An earlier tower was built by a man named Solomon Mycock in the early 1800s, but only a few stones of it were left.
In 1894, people in Buxton decided to rebuild the landmark. They held a meeting at Buxton Town Hall to discuss the idea. The local leaders talked with the agent for the Duke of Devonshire, who owned the land. They found out that rebuilding the tower was possible if enough money could be raised from the townspeople.
Architects W. R. Bryden and G. E. Garlick drew up plans for the new tower. By May 1894, the Duke of Devonshire approved the plans. It was also known that the site where the tower would stand was important because of its very old history, dating back to the Bronze Age.
In June 1894, the Duke of Devonshire donated £25 towards the building. The people of Buxton had already raised £50. The first stone of the new tower was laid on May 31, 1896, by Colonel Sidebottom, a Member of Parliament. A large crowd watched this special event. The tower was officially opened in September 1896 by Victor Cavendish.
A Historic Site
Solomon's Temple is built on top of an ancient burial mound from the Bronze Age. This makes the site even more interesting, as it has been important to people for thousands of years. The tower is officially recognized as a "Grade II listed building." This means it's a building of special historical or architectural importance, and it's protected to make sure it lasts for a long time.
In 1988, the tower was repaired and made strong again, thanks to money donated by the public.
