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THE GROTTO AND THE RIVER GOD'S CAVE

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: I
List Entry Number:: 1318473
Date first listed:: 06-Jan-1966
List Entry Name:: THE GROTTO AND THE RIVER GOD'S CAVE
Statutory Address:: THE GROTTO AND THE RIVER GOD'S CAVE

User submitted image — Uploaded by David Lovell This photo may not represent the current condition of the site
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Location

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: I
List Entry Number:: 1318473
Date first listed:: 06-Jan-1966
Date of most recent amendment:: 08-Sep-1987
List Entry Name:: THE GROTTO AND THE RIVER GOD'S CAVE
Statutory Address 1:: THE GROTTO AND THE RIVER GOD'S CAVE

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: THE GROTTO AND THE RIVER GOD'S CAVE

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Stourton with Gasper
National Grid Reference:: ST 77149 34085

Details

3 STOURTON WITH GASPER STOURHEAD GARDENS ST 73 SE (west side) 6/151 The Grotto and The River God's Cave (formerly listed as The Grotto) 6.1.66 GV I Grotto and spring head. Circa 1748, by William Privet of Chilmark for Henry Hoare, entrance added 1776. Tufa limestone on brick, stone domed roof. Circular domed chamber with two symmetrical arms and rockwork passage to the north and The River God's-Cave to the south, overlooking lake. Opposing entrances of passages to main chamber have open pediments over semi-circular openings with keystones and imposts, facades in rustic classical style, Latin inscription over north entrance, concealed by 1776 passageway. Opposing entrances within main chamber are matched by arched openings on side overlooking lake and west side with cold bath and spring cascading below painted lead statue of Ariadne, the words 'Nymph of the Grot these sacred springs I keep ...' are incised onto edge of pool, 1967 replica of original, a translation by Pope. Between the main arches are niches, all connected by impost bands and with exaggerated keystones. Floored with concentric pattern of cobbles, domed roof with tufa ribs, top-lit by circular window with disc ornament. Facing the south entrance to the grotto is The River God's Cave, tufa with arched opening to vaulted chamber with painted lead statue of the River God by John Cheere, c1751, the source of the River Stour is engineered to flow from an urn. Both the River God and Ariadne are illuminated by grilled lights in the roofs. This is an important grotto in English landscape gardening, with classical allusions; really a nymphaeum. Henry Hoare was probably attempting to recreate the scene from Virgil's Aeneid in which Aeneas meets the nymphs and the River God (Father Tiber) and is shown the way to the Pantheon and the altar of Hercules. (K. Woodbridge, The Stourhead Landscape, 1982; Accounts in WRO)

Listing NGR: ST7714734083

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 321257
Legacy System:: LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Woodbridge, K , The Stourhead Landscape, (1982)
Other
Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, Part 46 Wiltshire,

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.