Alexander Pope's Grotto, Radnor House School

Alexander Pope's Grotto, Radnor House School, Cross Deep, Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 4QG

Grade II* Alexander Pope's Grotto is the last remaining part of Alexander Pope's villa, which he built in 1720 on the banks of the Thames at Twickenham. The tunnel connecting the villa to Pope's gardens behind, was first decorated with bright stones as a 'Nymphaeum', but Pope's interests increasingly turned to raw nature and from 1740 until his death in 1744 he re-built it as a 'Museum' of minerals, many of which are still intact and visible today, A programme of repairs is on-going led by Pope's Grotto Preservation Trust. The grotto lies under Radnor House School, a cafe and river terrace are available for visitors

Opening Arrangements

Works to the Grotto floor will be carried out in April 2024 after which weekend openings will resume. The dates have not yet been confirmed. Landscape Tours in partnership with Strawberry Hill House will take place on the first Sunday in the month from May to October. School visits are being run by the History department at Radnor House School. Under the terms of our NLHF funding the Grotto will be open 33 days a year.

Admission Charges

• Adult: £10
• Child: under 18 Free

Parking Spaces

3

Parking limited to special need. We encourage use of public transport.