Today we associate grottoes with Santa Claus, but at one time no English country house was complete without one
In the late 15th century, the Renaissance dream of a lost, romantic past became even more fabulous when Emperor Nero’s Domus Aurea (Golden House) was discovered under the Baths of Trajan in Rome. The strange, ruined, underground grotto was a sensation. Everyone wanted a ruined palace in the grounds of their new Palladian-style villa.
Young, wealthy men in 17th and 18th century Britain were encouraged to complete their education with a Grand Tour around Europe. They brought back ideas of the latest trends in art, architecture and garden structures. Architects with a keen sense of theatre such as Inigo Jones were early adopters of the ‘lost Arcadian paradise’ theme and later, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown’s, British landscape style simply begged for a grotto to go with the follies, temples and eye-catchers, studded with coral, seaweed, stalactites, seashells and fossils.
This story is from the November - December 2017 edition of The Official Magazine Britain.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November - December 2017 edition of The Official Magazine Britain.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Take The High Road
The North Coast 500 is an epic route that takes you past some of the country’s most spellbinding scenery
Where To Stay In 2021
Whether it’s a country house escape, a rustic bolthole or a sophisticated city stay, you’ll find your perfect getaway on these pages
The EMPEROR'S ISLE
Tresco was once a treeless and windswept island, the haunt of smugglers. Dramatically transformed by one man’s vision, it is now one of Britain’s most beautiful spots
Hidden Cornwall
Discover the beautiful, beguiling and rugged land of West Penwith in the far reaches of Cornwall
Wonders of Wales
With its wild cliffs, pretty coves and puffins galore, St Brides Bay holds the best of Pembrokeshire
Yorkshire's MOORS & SHORES
Equal parts mystical moor and secluded seashore, the Yorkshire coast beats some of Britain’s more traditional summer destinations hands down
PEAK PERFORMANCE
From heathery moors to rolling hills and underground caverns, the Peak District is home to some of the most majestic landscapes in the country
Culture CAPITAL
After a year of stop-start openings, London's museums are welcoming visitors back in 2021 with an array of blockbuster exhibitions
HISTORIC NORFOLK
Spend time exploring this peaceful county, whose stately homes are a grand counterpoint to its unadorned rural landscapes
1066 COUNTRY
England’s sunny south coast has a rich heritage, harbouring ancient castles and evocative landscapes that tell the story of the Battle of Hastings and beyond