Description

LACOCK BOWDEN HILL
ST 96 NW
(north side)
3/15 The Grotto at Bowden Park
GV II*

Grotto and summerhouse, c1800, cyclopean ironstone random rocks
with stone slate concealed roof. Centre circular summerhouse with
3-sided canted front of cyclopean masonry flanked by wings of
rockwork incorporating various small grottoes, the right wing
having the entry to a serpentine tunnel emerging behind.
Summerhouse has 3 pointed-arched doorways with lattice glazed
double-doors and Y-tracery overlights.
Interior has unusually elaborate and complete grotto-work; tufa,
fossil and shell lined walls and vault, the vault also with
pendants treated as stalactites. Patterned tile floor. The
stonework has similarities to the cascade at Bowood House of 1785-7
by Hon C. Hamilton, built by J. Lane of Tisbury (see Calne Without
C.P.).

Listing NGR: ST9380168094

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17534105

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)