Grotto At Os 370229 On North Side Of China House Pond

The Grotto, located on the north side of China House Pond in Calke Park, is a mid-18th century structure. It is constructed from red brick, coursed rubble sandstone, and squared sandstone, built into the bank beside the lake with its facade facing the water. The original design was symmetrical, but the right-hand side has since collapsed. The facade features a broad central round arch made of voussoirs of alternating sizes, flanked by tall rectangular window openings with stone jambs, sills, and lintels. To the left, there is a projecting bay with a smaller round-arched opening leading into a recess, and a small window in the return wall. Inside, the grotto contains a semi-circular chamber with a brick half dome that was originally plastered.