Restored folly, restored vision

Alexander Pope’s Grotto

Resurrecting Pope’s vision

Following a careful restoration completed in 2023, Grade II*-listed Alexander Pope’s Grotto has been removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register and is now open to community use.

The folly is a mine of stones, shells, minerals and metals devised by the Enlightenment Era poet and satirist Alexander Pope. It was built around 1725 to connect Pope’s garden to the new villa he built in 1720 (demolished in 1808) and as an expression of his imagination. It is considered one of the most significant buildings of the English Landscape Garden Movement.

Works to save the Grotto began over 20 years ago, with the first Conservation Management Plan (CMP) produced by Insall in 2002, to guide the long-term conservation of the site. The Pope’s Grotto Preservation Trust was established in 2004, helping to fund the project. A pilot project was carried out successfully in 2017, and full conservation works completed in 2023.

 

Illuminating history

The challenge was to overcome centuries of deterioration and inappropriate repairs. Works consisted of consolidating and stabilising the rendering that holds together precious and semi-precious stones to the brick substrate as well as the gentle cleaning of stone surfaces. Removing cementitious materials helped to uncover a variety of historic features, such as a an historic brick floor, a brick arch in the central chamber, a lead pipe indicating a water route and corbels hidden under modern pebble dash.

Interpretation was a key aspect of the project. Visitors can now enjoy atmospheric lighting, which was achieved with achieved with LED candle fittings with Georgian silver backing that reflects the light in an ambient manner. It aims to mimic how the grotto might have been illuminated in the 18th century – and how Pope himself might have seen it.

Interpretation and a projector attached to the ceiling, projecting onto a wall, near a brick archway.

Project team

Awards

  • Civic Trust AABC Conservation Award (2024)

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