Wanstead Park - The Grotto
The Grotto, Wanstead Park
The Grotto - September 2005
Some time around 1760 an elaborate building known as Grotto was constructed by John, second Earl Tylney, on the west bank of the Ornamental Water. The structure was completed by 1764 and is said to have cost £2000, but with the addition of decoration and ornamentation was later valued at £40,000. Grottoes were a type of folly (that is, an architectural erection without functional intention) very popular with rich 18th century landowners. In fact, in many cases it is said that the landowner engaged a person to live in the folly and act the part of a real hermit. Whether this happened in the case of Wanstead Park is not known. In the case of the park's grotto, it is probable that the structure was lived in at some time, and below the living accommodating there was a boathouse - so that this one was more functional than many!
The front of the building, facing the lake, was of rough stone with a variety of ornamental details including arches and niches, with a landing stage for boats. A central open arch gave access to a boathouse in which were storage and repair facilities inside. A passage on the north side of the building gave access to a domed top-lit chamber above the boathouse, which was also accessible by means of steps from the lake. The chamber had a stained glass window, an elaborate pebble-pattern floor and was decorated with shells, crystals and mirrors. A remains of a very few of these could still be seen even up to the 1960's, but none remain visible now. There were two smaller rooms behind the chamber - one above the other - which may have served as an apartment for the keeper. When the Park was opened to the public in 1882 part of the enclosed space surrounding the old Grotto was white in early spring with snowdrops.
From 1882 when the park was opened to the public it was looked after by a caretaker, Mr. Puffet, and visitors could pay for a visit. An amusing article describing Mr Puffet was written in an edition of "Punch" magazine. Early in the 1880's, John T Bedford started writing for this satirical magazine under the nomme de plume ''Robert the Waiter" and the article describes a visit of the members of the Epping Forest and Open Spaces Committee to Wanstead Park where they met the newly appointed Keeper Puffet. (click here for the article)
In November 1884 the Grotto was damaged by fire. The most usual account of what happened relates to a workman who was retarring the boat which was kept in the boathouse under the Grotto. He did not notice the tar bubbling over, and the Grotto was set alight. Unfortunately, the lake had been drained for cleaning, so there was no ready supply of water available to fight the fire, and the building was all but destroyed. The facade survived, together with some of the interior and the access passage.
Some renovation work has been done from time to time and an archaeological exploration was undertaken in the winter of 1997/8 by the Museum of London Archaeological Service (MoLAS). This resulted in the exposure after many years of dock of the boathouse which was incorporated into the structure (photo). It was in this dock that the punt that is featured in some photographs of the ornamental waters would have been moored.
When the level of the Ornamental Water is low, it is possible to see on the opposite bank the remains of what was probably a bridge connecting across to the Grotto.(photo).
The Grotto is a Grade 11 listed building.
For Photos and images - Click Here