Hermitage Or Grotto At Carshalton House

The Hermitage or Grotto at Carshalton House is an early 18th-century structure, likely built before 1721. It is a single-storey building made of ashlar stone. The facade features a symmetrical arrangement of openings with a pattern of 1-3-1. The three central openings project fully and consist of round-headed open doorways with square block rustications, while the outer openings are open windows with segmental heads, band surrounds, and aprons. Above these, vermiculated pilasters support a frieze and cornice. Inside, the passages are vaulted in stone. The gardens surrounding the grotto are an important early example of landscape design, possibly by Charles Bridgeman, featuring an off-centre avenue drive, a naturalistic lake, and ornamental buildings.