The Hermit'S Cave, Upper Pond, Busbridge Lakes

SU 94SE BUSBRIDGE C.P. HAMBLEDON ROAD

4/94 The Hermit's Cave, 9/3/60 Upper Pond, Busbridge Lakes

GV II

Cave. C18. Sandstone rubble blocks with earth covering. Built into hillside. Central recessed, pointed arched entrance with piers to arch. Remains of flanking arched niches. Carved sandstone block used as keystone over the door, one of a series of Roman and Romano/British altars and inscribed stones used as garden ornaments. Fine wrought iron gate to centre with interesting tracery in "Gothick" style. Vaulted chamber inside, tunnel leading out of the chamber is described in Neales "Seats of the Nobility and Gentry" as being theft long with a circular chamber at the end. This was possibly constructed in 1756 by a party of soldiers from Guildford to contain the body of the wife of Philip Cartaret Webb, but her remains were removed subsequently. One of a series of landscape features in a Romantic Landscape Garden, now designated an Historic Garden in the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, part 40 (Surrey) II*.

R. G. COLLINGWOOD & R. P. WRIGHT: "THE ROMAN INSCRIPTIONS OF BRITAIN I" STONE 2075. PEVSNER: BUILDINGS OF ENGLAND, SURREY (1971) p.125.

Listing NGR: SU9770641914