Hermitage And Grotto Gardens At Ware Park

The Hermitage and Grotto Gardens at Ware Park is a garden building with walled enclosures located in Hertford. The hermitage dates back to the 17th century and features a mid-19th century semi-octagonal arched loggia, likely built around the same time as the grotto gardens. The structure is made of 17th-century red brick set in lime mortar, arranged in English bond, with rusticated stucco on the front loggia and a stucco surround to a lancet window in the rear gable. The older section has an old red tile roof that is hidden by a higher semi-octagonal hipped tiled roof.

Inside, a semicircular arch from the loggia leads into the older part, which includes a four-centred chamfered arched doorway on the east side. There are small chamfered loopholes centrally placed in each side wall. The grotto garden consists of brick kiln waste, with an entrance through an arch on the northeast face. An artificial outcrop of natural stone features a guard chamber at the narrow entrance leading to the next walled garden, with another arch located on the southwest side. At the time of inspection, the building and garden were in a ruinous state.