Grotto

The Grotto is a small structure located in Wotton House, built around 1757 to 1760 with 19th-century alterations. It is a feature of the landscape garden designed by Capability Brown. The grotto is constructed of brick and is partly covered by an earth mound. It has a square chamber with inner walls that are plastered and decorated with shells, fossils, quartz, and tufa. The original vault is missing. The front of the grotto was initially faced with stone, of which fragments still remain on site. Currently, the front features short curved flanking walls made of brick and faced with flint, likely from the 19th century. The grotto is situated on an island.