Corbar Cross

Now you might have guessed that one of my favourite kind of places to find is something that is a bit of a walk away, especially up a hill. Not only to you get the satisfaction of earning the VIP league points with a nice climb, you also get fabulous views from the top and can also see the place from miles around. The Corbar Cross was one of those such places.

The Corbar Cross is located in Buxton, Derbyshire, right on the cusp of our Fabulous North boundary and sits on top of Corbar Hill (437m). However, when I arrived at the top, there was another treat in store as the Corbar Hill Trig Point is up here keeping the cross company.

As history goes the Corbar Cross is a pretty new cross with it initially being installed in 1950. Turns out it was a pressie from the Duke of Devonshire to the Roman Catholic community in Buxton and is to mark the Holy Year which was declared by Pope Pius XII.

A Holy Year is a bit like a Jubilee and celebrated every 25 years. Starting with the first in 1300, my calculations work out this was for the 24th Jubilee.

However this isn't the original cross that was erected in 1950. It's been replaced a few times due to damage or vandalism.

Back in the 1990s some tinkers thought it would be a good idea to paint the cross pink. But some protestors against the papal visit in 2010 decided to cut it down completely!

A 6 metre replacement cross was finally installed in 2011 and local chat says it may even have a metal rod through the centre to help it last longer.

It's a canny little walk up through Corbar Woods as you follow the ornamental walking path called Swiss Walks, which nicely warm up your legs for the final climb to the summit.

From the top you also get a cracking view of Solomon's Temple in the distance. Remember it's not small, it's just far away!