Grotto At Former Hagley Hall (Ngr0395 1800)

The following building shall be added:

SK 01 NW RUGELEY HAGLEY HALL

3/58 Grotto at Former Hagley Hall (NGR0395 1800)

II

Grotto. Circa late C18. Carved from red sandstone bedrock with seams of gravel. A series of interconnected underground chambers. A plain roughcast arched portal in a steep bank, leads to an aisled antechurch with groin vaults, at the end of which is a rotunda (a circular chamber) with a colonnade of 6 Tuscan columns with plain capitals and abaci supporting an entablature and saucer shaped dome. At north end of antechurch a vaulted passage turns north, with small saucer-shaped dome over corner, into antechamber with arcaded walls, cornice and hipped ceiling. From the ante- chamber a tunnel-vaulted passage to the basilica with 3-bay aisle arcades with large square piers, plain capitals and round arches and groin vaults to nave and aisles. At north (liturgical east) end of nave a round-headed apse (large niche) with pedestal-type alter. From the antechamber an inclined passage leads up to the surface.

Note: James Wyatt designed an octagonal drawing room in 1771 for Assheton Curzon of Hagley Hall (house demolished circa 1932).

Source: H. Colvin. Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600 - 1840.

Listing NGR: SK0395517996