Wanted to see this place for myself and take some unique pictures, knowing fully of it's history, dangers and controversy. Glad to find that it was still accessible and back to it's vibrant blue (not dyed black!) Access is via the walking trail, from the corner of Fiddle Street & Rock bank. The gateway displays an ominous sign reading "Dangerous Quarry, keep out", which is unfairly placed as it should be on the final walk up to the quarry, NOT the gateway to the very undangerous public footpath hiking trail! We visited late in the day with low sun, creating good shadows but perhaps not offering the brightest of blues in the actual flooded quarry pool. The main path into the quarry (past the large, open metal gate) takes you through and straight up alongside the 'blue lagoon'. I knew of the dangers beforehand but for those who don't know, the inviting water of the blue lagoon is actually quite toxic at a pH of 11, equivalent to bathing in bleach (caused by the remains of quarrying the natural rock). It will cause skin and eye irritation and swallowing any would be very bad indeed. Naturally I didnt wish to go close to the shoreline and merely took the photos I came for and respected the site. Sad to see some rubbish strewn about, particularly around the blue lagoon and wish others would show more respect.

This is a place to be avoided at all costs. It is basically a disused limestone quarry with a beautiful azure blue lagoon which looks very Mediterranean and attractive to enter. This is very deceiving as the water is a toxic soup full of carcasses, waste and very high ph mineral levels which gives the water the lovely colour. It is dangerous to enter the water and there are lots of signs. This has not stopped curious visitors especially during lockdown causing litter and grief to the locals. The council have taken it into their hands to deter people and dyed the water black ⛔️

Easy to access once you know how! Park on the street and walk up the bike track down the right hand side of the park Inn pub :) just be prepared for the slightly steep incline at the beginning of the walk

Horrible place. No toilets. No cafe. No parking. Access only by climbing fences onto private property. Water is toxic due to Lime dumping.

This place is an eye-sore. The 'visitors' that trespass their way up there mange to leave the place strewn with litter and beer cans. When the weathers nice its a rowdy place with aggressive drunks. Not a place to take your family. And the water is caustic, like bleach. Expect skin rashes if you swim in it! Now dyed black so not worth the effort. Local residents are not welcoming!

Terrible place. Water has a pH of nearly 12 so it's like ammonia or bleach. Therefore dangerous for swimming. Proven to contain animal carcasses, old cars and sewage. I do not recommend.

Contaminated quarry run of waste - not to be entered, unfit for human consumption seek medical attention Urgent life at risk.

Come here and drink the water! It tastes great!!!!

The quarry at harpur hill Buxton is NOT SUITABLE FOR SWIMMING. It has dangerously high levels of alkaline from the old quarry and people have been warned many times to avoid. It's not a 'natural beauty spot' it's the chemicals in the water that make it look tempting but it's actually very toxic. The police have dyed it dark to put people off because it's a health hazard. If Google would let me post minus stars I would.

I had a great swim and the water tastes great!

Shame local council decided to die the quarry, lost its natural beauty.

Very nice place here but the locals are liers to stop people coming out and enjoying the sun. The water has a pH level of 11... Bleach has a pH level of 12... Fun fact: Soap has a pH level of around 10 It is not 'deadly' tho I would not advise drinking it 🤣

Beautiful place. Nice place for sensible people with a brain who wont go for a swim here in the first place. Unfortunately, people have dumped their rubbish their like it's their father's house, destroying the place's beauty to a large extent.

This place is beautiful on a nice sunny day, plus great views. Ideal place for a nice picnic or to hang out with friends. Often is groups of youngsters here, some of which can be fairly loud but who can blame them - great place to chill and enjoy some beers. Only recommendation I would say is to respect locals by not blocking roads/driveways and take your litter home so others can enjoy it too. Also stay safe by being sensible. My partner and I met some lovely locals who were very friendly - one was advising us on some good local walks, which proves they're not all self-righteous people who don't want other people to enjoy the area. They did say the farmer is rude and not very accommodating which probably explains some of these negative reviews on here, presumably some written by them. It's a shame as I've been on other walks in Peak District where local farmers wave, say hello etc. I did try waving to one yesterday and got ignored, which is a shame! I don't understand why the Police dye the water - anyone would think we live in a communist state...ruining the area for everyone. Also they are always claiming they are under resourced yet have time and money to come up and put black dye into the water and fly drones round to catch people enjoying peaceful walks...Anyway defo worth a visit - some nice local pubs to enjoy a pint after too :-)

I AM A LOCAL IT CAN BURN YOUR SKIN DO NOT GO

Black lagoon not blue. Dyed. Caustic and dangerous. Go to a safer place. Good for a walk and view but there are many places to walk and to get a view

Quite fascinating to think that this water, while beautiful, has the pH levels of bleach or ammonia.

The so called water here is toxic. Its like swimming in bleach! Parking tickets being issued. Park dangerously or inconsiderately and risk your car being removed by authorities! This is not a place to visit

Worth a look. Just remember this place is a disused quarry and not a tourist spot and if the police have probably put black dye in the water it's because the water is dangerous. But like I said it's worth a look. Don't expect a cafe or toilets or carparking like some fools do.

Amazing

This is a quarry pit with waste water in it, the water has a pH value close to bleach it has or junk in the bottom,it is just a matter of time before a human joins the dead sheep at the bottom

(Translated by Google) Difficult access, dirt! (Original) Δύσκολη πρόσβαση, βρωμιά !

Ok for climbing on bolt protection but a fairly bleak moon landing place.

found a safe underwater...

a good place to be

What a lovely place to take a quick dip into!

Closedown and blocked off

Awesome place to rest and ofcourse for good climbing on solid rock!

This place is awesome!

Great, varied climbing available

Been there many times, seen it blue and black/red. Great place to chill. Dont leave any litter!

we couldnt find the way because signs were saying to go to the path behind the pub but we couldnt find one i dont think the locals liked that people kept coming and put fake signs on

Amazing views. But a bit hard to get up there. Other than that, I would highly advise going there

Good place to ride view was class

Very bizarre place nothing like you imagine your going to see ... It's like being in a different part of the world not the Peak District... Lovely little friendly pub where the footpath starts leasing up to here

nice walks and good views. recommend visiting in the spring and summer months!

It's all shut and BLOCKED OFF won't be for long if I can help it

Great walks good views

Nice place to walk ,but don't swim in the water it's like bleach😱

I don't get why people are giving low stars here. This is a fantastic crag with great rock and very interesting climbs. It gets quite windy so can get cold in the shade. It has a beautiful view over the local area especially at the top of the routes. Yes the water is apparently quite dangerous to swim in so just don't go in it or near it and enjoy the beauty of the local area. What's the issue?