Grotto and Flanking Walls at the Oaks

The Grotto and Flanking Walls at The Oaks date from the late 18th century to the 19th century. Located on the south side, the grotto is set in a central recess with high red brick rear and flanking walls. The flanking walls feature two-light casement windows, some with small panes, which illuminate the two ranges of red brick, lean-to outbuildings with slate roofs that are built against the north side of the flanking walls. The north walls of the outbuildings have segmentally headed windows, six panes wide and four panes deep with centre pivot lights, along with flat-headed doorways. The flanking walls are included in the listing due to their association with the grotto.

From the late 18th century until 1834, The Oaks was occupied by the Earls of Derby. The house was substantially built in the late 18th century by the twelfth Earl, who died in 1834. The house was demolished around 1957 to 1960. For a brief history of The Oaks estate, refer to the Victoria County History for Surrey, Volume IV, and the entry in the MHLG provisional list of 1953 for Carshalton, as well as I. Nairn, N. Pevsner, and B. Cherry's "The Buildings of England: Surrey" published in 1971.