Scotts Grotto
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Scott's Grotto is a series of interconnected chambers, extending some 67ft into the chalk hillside. It is rumoured to have cost £10,000 and is thought to have taken 30 years to complete. The chambers and tunnels are lined with shells, flints and pieces of coloured glass, some donated by friends. On top of the hill above the tunnels there is a summer house which would have commanded a wonderful view over the town of Ware. The picture on the left shows the inside of the Council Chamber as labelled on Mr R T Andrews's 1900 Plan of the Grotto. This chamber is the most highly decorated and has seats inset into its wall. One of these seats even has the word FROG written in shells, referring to his wife, Sarah Frogley You may be surprised to learn that tucked away in a street of modern houses in Ware is the country's largest grotto. Most examples of these eighteenth century garden buildings are in the grounds of stately homes and several are presently the subject of restoration programmes. Scott's Grotto was restored in 1990 by the Ware Society on behalf of the owners, East herts District Council. It is open to the public from 2.00pm - 4.30 pm every Saturday and Bank Holiday from April to September inclusive. Parties can also be shown round at other times by appointment with the curator, Mrs Janet Watson (01920 464131). Entrance is free but a donation of £1.00 is suggested from new visitors. It is advisable to wear flat shoes and to bring a torch. Entrance is Free The grotto is open 1400-1630 on each Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday between April 1st and September 28th. | |||||||||||||||||||||||