Grotto Approx 30M N of Lower Lodge to Prior Park
GROTTO APPROX 30M N OF LOWER LODGE TO PRIOR PARK, PRIOR PARK
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1394467
- Date first listed:
- 11-Aug-1972
- List Entry Name:
- Grotto Approx 30M N of Lower Lodge to Prior Park
- Statutory Address:
- GROTTO APPROX 30M N OF LOWER LODGE TO PRIOR PARK, PRIOR PARK
Location
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1394467
- Date first listed:
- 11-Aug-1972
- Date of most recent amendment:
- 15-Oct-2010
- List Entry Name:
- Grotto Approx 30M N of Lower Lodge to Prior Park
- Statutory Address 1:
- GROTTO APPROX 30M N OF LOWER LODGE TO PRIOR PARK, PRIOR PARK
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
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.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
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.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- GROTTO APPROX 30M N OF LOWER LODGE TO PRIOR PARK, PRIOR PARK
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Bath and North East Somerset (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- ST 76020 62964
Details
PRIOR PARK 656-1/67/1290
Grotto approx 30m N of Lower Lodge to Prior Park (Formerly Listed as: PRIOR PARK Grotto in grounds of Prior Park) 11/08/72
GV II
Remains of grotto. c1740, sometimes known as Pope's Grotto, but probably executed by Richard Jones. Tufa or sponge stone. One rough arch, rising to approx 3m, has, to its left, small rectangular opening in attached walling. Some plans show rectangular building, remains of walling at present exposed, to heights of up to 1m, in ashlar or tufa, form rough rectangle, about 2.5m in depth and 7m to 8m wide. Grotto lies near outer wall of estate adjacent to Ralph Allen's Drive, and separated from other garden features such as former Serpentine, by main approach drive used by Prior Park College (qv). Before this associated with cascade and serpentine pool, both superseded by later work. Alexander Pope, who first visited Ralph Allen at Prior Park in 1737, refers to "Mrs Allen's grotto and cascade" in a letter in 1740, at which time it seems that these were not completed. 1836 pupil at Prior Park Seminary refers to a "...dazzling assemblage of shells, fossils, minerals etc...." in roofing. Recent excavation has also revealed some pieces of slate in debris, possibly part of former external roof covering. SOURCES: Information from NT Warden on site). (Clarke G: Prior Park: A Compleat Landscape: Bath: 1987-: PASSIM.
Listing NGR: ST7602062964
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 509867
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 04-Jun-2026 at 09:20:01.
Download a full scale map (PDF)© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900.© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2026. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006.
End of official list entry