Grotto below south terrace at Crowe Hall

Grotto below south terrace at Crowe Hall, Widcombe Hill, Bath, BA2 6AR

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

Overview

A C18 grotto situated below the south terrace at Crowe Hall. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1405720
Date first listed:: 15-Nov-2011
List Entry Name:: Grotto below south terrace at Crowe Hall
Statutory Address:: Grotto below south terrace at Crowe Hall, Widcombe Hill, Bath, BA2 6AR

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1405720
Date first listed:: 15-Nov-2011
List Entry Name:: Grotto below south terrace at Crowe Hall
Location Description:: The grotto is situated below the south garden terrace of Crowe Hall.
Statutory Address 1:: Grotto below south terrace at Crowe Hall, Widcombe Hill, Bath, BA2 6AR

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:: Grotto below south terrace at Crowe Hall, Widcombe Hill, Bath, BA2 6AR

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:: ST7600863911

Summary

A C18 grotto situated below the south terrace at Crowe Hall.

Reasons for Designation

* Architectural interest: as an interesting example of a C18 garden feature that is well-executed in open-textured stonework. * Group value: with both the Grade II listed Crowe Hall and the Grade II Registered Park and Garden within which the grotto sits.

History

Characteristic rustic garden embellishment, executed in open-textured stonework, and possibly from the time of the original house of 1742. Ralph Allen was exploring the picturesque possibilities of tufa stone at just this time on his neighbouring estate. The main chamber is not known to have been roofed within living memory, but was very likely thus.

Details

Grotto. Mid- to late C18.

MATERIALS: Tufa and limestone.

PLAN: Complex grotto in three parts, at highest level path passes under two rough arches joined by rough vault, and this in turn carries path over.

EXTERIOR: Flight of thirteen stone steps descends to main chamber, entering under a rough arch with tree-trunk props, embellished with artificial ‘twigs’. Main chamber is circular, and may originally have had rough domed vault, but open to sky. Opposite the foot of the stairs are three rough arched openings in wall, and to right arched entry opposite which rough arch leads to enclosed lower chamber, down three steps, with niche to each side, and exit to south, lower unit completely vaulted.

Sources

Books and journals
Forsyth, M, Pevsner Architectural Guides: Bath, (2003), 217

Legal

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