Grotto South East Of Oldway Mansion

PAIGNTON

SX8861 TORQUAY ROAD 1947-1/4/107 (West side) 10/03/88 Grotto south-east of Oldway Mansion (Formerly Listed as: Grotto in grounds of Oldway Mansion)

GV II

Grotto. 1907-1910, contemporary with the remodelling of Oldway Mansion (qv) for Paris Singer. Grounds laid out by A Duchesne, the leading French formal landscape architect. Steel and concrete construction grotto, clad with local grey limestone slabs; serpentine stream lined with concrete with heaps of local stone. Rockery above the grotto includes pitched stone paths. The grotto consists of irregular caverns overlooking a pond, fed from a stream that drips water across the cavern openings. Old list description refers to blocked openings at either end for a walk through with views out. Some of the planting may be original. A serpentine stream, crossed by flat stone bridges leaves the pond and feeds a larger pond with a rockery alongside. Part of the setting of Oldway Mansion and a foil to the more formal gardens closer to the house. Group value with other garden items. (The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Devon: London: 1952-1989: 839-40).

Listing NGR: SX8882961388