Building record 3382/0/1 - Grotto Within Grotto Spinney

Grotto in landscape park. Circa 1770's for William Wentworth, second Earl of Startford. Coursed limestone rubble under an earth mound.

{1} Grotto in landscape park. Circa 1770's for William Wentworth, second Earl of Startford. Coursed limestone rubble under an earth mound. Half a hemispere with an open front, built over a natural spring. The interior has exposed stone walls. Source: Jones, B. Follies and Grottoes.

{3} Fieldname: Grotto Spinney.

{4} Structure, post medieval grotto within a circular spinney with a low, surrounding wall. A domed 'grotto' covers a spring. Probably associated with the landscaping of Boughton Hall Park. In the early C20th it served as the water supply for the village. There was a threat of intention to pipe the water from the spring for a mineral water company. The structure is in good condition but overgrown. Fieldname: Grotto Spinney.

{5} Probably C18th in date in line with the development of the landscape parkland for the Third/Fourth Earl of Strafford. There are reports of vandalism to the structure.

{8} Grotto to the north of the house in a spinney.

{10} To the north of the stream and 900m north-east of the hall is a small plantation called Grotto Spinney. It is surrounded by a walled ditch within which a dry-stone alcove covers the head of a spring.

{11} The grotto in Grotto Spinney probably dates to the 1770's but local tradition attributes it to a much earlier date. The grotto takes the form of a domed cave-like structure built from rough limestone blocks. Seemingly formed without the use of cement or mortar, The Grotto forms a perfect arch over the clear spring known as "the Petrifying Spring", that rises there. The Grotto is a Grade II Listed Building.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 9/1004 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G01 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1958, 1950s/60s Ordnance Survey 6 Inch Mapping Series (SP76NE), SP76NE (checked) (Map). SNN19281.

<4> FOARD G.R., 1977, Oral Report to SMR, (checked) (Oral Report). SNN51328.

<5> 1993, Oral Report to SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN50470.

<6> Stevenson G.E., 1946, A Short Guide to Boughton, (unchecked) (Guide). SNN48114.

<7> RANSOME S., 1969, Boughton Hall, p.21 (unchecked) (Report). SNN3223.

<8> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.109 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<9> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<10> English Heritage, 1994, Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England (1994, Northamptonshire), (checked) (Report). SNN1324.

<11> Scott S., 1995, The Follies of Boughton Park, p.44-45 (checked) (Book). SNN44220.

<12> Jones B., 1974, Follies and Grottoes, (unchecked) (Book). SNN56966.

Record last edited

Jul 26 2022 2:58PM