NHER 53903 (Building record) - Early 19th-century grotto and arcade associated with the demolished Grasmere House

May 2009. Building recording.
The remains of a grotto and arcade located beneath the terrace of the early 19th century Italianate villa Grasmere House, which was used as a girl's school in the late 19th century and was later demolished and replaced by the current structure in the 1960's. The arcade consists of nine bays of semi-circular arches with raised keystones and plain square imposts. The construction is ashlar with some flint. The site is located on the steep side of the land leading down to the mere. The areas of carefully laid flint work and the niches give the impression that the design is reflecting the contemporary taste for grottos and the ivy covering the structure is shown on the early pictures and was probably encouraged to increase the grotto effect. The arcade is known locally as the 'catacombs'.
See (S1).
S. Howard (NLA), 18 March 2010.