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Latitude: 51.6584 / 51°39'30"N
Longitude: -2.6766 / 2°40'35"W
OS Eastings: 353296
OS Northings: 195727
OS Grid: ST532957
Mapcode National: GBR JM.6MG0
Mapcode Global: VH87M.KLC1
Entry Name: The Grotto, Piercefield
Scheduled Date: 22 November 2000
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 851
Cadw Legacy ID: MM283
Schedule Class: Gardens, Parks and Urban Spaces
Category: Grotto
Period: Post Medieval/Modern
County: Gloucestershire
Civil Parish: Tidenham
Built-Up Area: Woodcroft
Traditional County: Monmouthshire
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Gloucestershire
The monument consists of a grotto dating to the 18th century and is one of the principal structural features of the Piercefield Walk. The grotto is a shady cavern built as a garden feature. In the 18th century it usually took the form of an artificial rocky cave or apartment decorated with stalactites and shells in a wild part of the grounds. The grotto gives spectacular views across the Wye Valley and is a small domed alcove built of brick on a stone foundation. The interior walls display the remnants of the rough mixture of iron and copper slag as well as quartz bedded in a fine white mortar with which it was once coated. The grotto was built within the defenses of a small Iron Age hillfort.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of the use of gardens, parks and urban spaces in the 18th and 19th century. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.
Source: Cadw
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