Grotto and tunnel in the gardens at Chilton Priory is a Grade II listed building in the Somerset local planning authority area, England. First listed on 9 December 2015. Grotto, tunnel. 2 related planning applications.
Grotto and tunnel in the gardens at Chilton Priory
- WRENN ID
- moated-dormer-wren
- Grade
- II
- Local Planning Authority
- Somerset
- Constituency
- Wells and Mendip Hills MP: Tessa Munt (LD)
- Country
- England
- Date first listed
- 9 December 2015
- Type
- Grotto, tunnel
- Address
- Grotto and tunnel in the gardens at Chilton Priory, Chilton Polden, TA7 9AH
- OS grid reference
- ST 373 389
- Coordinates
- 51.14639, -2.89701
- Source
- Historic England listing
Description
The grotto and tunnel in the gardens at Chilton Priory were built around 1839 by the antiquarian William Stradling for his pleasure ground. Both structures are made from undressed and randomly coursed stone, covered with soil.
The grotto is almost circular in shape and features a Gothic-arched entrance that leads to small steps inside. A wrought iron entrance gate, which is in poor condition, is positioned against the wall within the grotto. The entrances to the tunnel also have Gothic-style arches and the tunnel itself gently curves to follow the meandering footpath.
Inside, the stonework of both the grotto and tunnel remains untreated. The grotto's rear wall includes three Gothic-arched niches, and its domed ceiling has a circular opening that allows light to enter. The tunnel maintains a Gothic-arched shape throughout its entire length.
Local climate
Grotto and tunnel in the gardens at Chilton Priory receives an average of 810 mm of rain a year. This makes it drier than 51% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is greater than that of 62% of listed buildings.
It experiences an average of 28 freeze-thaw cycles a year, fewer than 69% of listed buildings. Of these, 10 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.
Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.
More on this building
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- No EPC on record for this property
- No sale records on file
- Related listed building consents — 2 applications
- Detailed attributes — period, style, materials, features
- Flood risk assessment
- Radon risk assessment
- Weather exposure and heating demand — rain and frost month by month and year by year, wind direction, solar and humidity
Matched applications, energy data and sale records are assembled automatically and may contain errors. Flag incorrect data.
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