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![]() ![]() West Wycombe Park West Wycombe Buckinghamshire United Kingdom HP14 3AJ Telephone: 01494 533739 The Hell-Fire Caves grotto at West Wycombe comprises a long, winding tunnel into the chalk hillside with a variety of chambers and passages leading to the Inner Temple. It was constructed in a chalk quarry in the 1750s when excavation was taking place to secure materials for local road building. At the time follies and grottoes were fashionable and Sir Francis Dashwood saw this as an opportunity to enhance his estate with not only roads but also a grotto. ![]() ![]() ![]() The eighteenth century Hell-Fire Club was an exclusive group of well-known personalities from government and the aristocracy. They enjoyed not only the exclusivity of a privileged membership of companions but also indulged in a variety of rituals and celebrations, some of which were deemed to be sexual in nature. Their main meeting place was Medmenham Abbey. This was restored at the time for such purposes a few miles away. ![]() By World War II the grotto was in a dilapidated state. This was aggravated by the removal of the ![]() ![]() Further Reading: West Wycombe Caves (undated but available in 2014) Visitor Guide. The Dashwoods of Wycombe, (1987) Sir Francis Dashwood, Aurum Press, London. Illustrations: (1-8 sequencing) 1. The Cave Steward. 2. The Sytx River, the legendary river that needs to be crossed to enter the Inner Temple, either by boat or by bridge. 3. The Nun. Nuns reputedly haunt the grotto and ladies of the night were said to have worn such attire when attending the club members in the caves. 4. 5. Banqueting Hall figures add mythology to dining. 6. Venus locked away behind bars. 7. Sir Francis Dashwood entertains Benjamin Franklin in the caves. 8. The Styx River in Greek mythology formed the boundary between Earth and the Underworld. 9. Plan of the grotto. 10. The Gothic Facade. 11. Party in the Inner Temple. Just visible - Venus looks out of the gloom behind. 12. The Dashwood Mausoleum, above the caves - a transition point for the soul on its way to Heaven. 13. The church with the golden ball symbolising the way to Heaven. 14. The main mansion, nestling in the trees some distance away from the conflict between Heaven and Hell symbolised by the buildings on the hill across the valley and yet near enough to keep an eye on what is going on. 15. Map of the Estate showing the Grotto positioning. ![]() Website: Click Here ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ![]() ![]()
GREAT BRITISH GROTTO GRADING
CONSTRAINTS On private property, Open set times only FACILITIES Access by Road, Access on Foot, Entry Fee, Grotto - just one, Restaurant/Food, Retail Souvenir Shop, Toilets, Tourism Information LANDSCAPE Country town/village, Rural REGION England - Central THE FEATURES PRESENT +A created provenance that links it to ancient mythology or legend, +Cared for and maintained in good condition, +Crystals and/or minerals, either natural or simulated, +Dark and mysterious chambers and cave like spaces, +External rock structures, either real or simulated, +Internal stonework that is natural, recycled or simulated to give a subterranean decor, +Sacred spring or integral water feature, +Stunning setting and location, GRADED EIGHT |
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