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Sezincote House and Gardens

Moreton-in-Marsh
Gloucestershire
United Kingdom
GL56 9AW
Telephone: 01386 700422

Sezincote House and Gardens date from 1810 when they were created by Charles Cockerell. The architectural style is best seen in the famous Indian Taj Mahal. This Mughal style Indian architecture comes as somewhat of a surprise located in the British Cotswold Hills. The creator had previously worked in India before developing the estate in conjunction with his brother Samuel Pepys Cockerell an architect and Thomas Diniell, painter of Indian scenery. The landscaping was designed by Humphrey Repton.

























The small grotto overlooking the water gardens.


There are three man made chambers that could be called grottoes within the gardens. The main one is at the head of an ornamental water garden where there is a lake. This main grotto complex comprises three ivy covered chambers, one of which leads to a dimly lit cave giving a view of mystic gods. The other two grottoes within the gardens are firstly a waterwheel chamber just below the main grotto lake and secondly, a small hillside chamber overlooking the valley which contains the extensive water gardens. This chamber comes with its own mystic spring flowing over a labyrinthine stone.


















Sezincote House and the conservatory.

























The waterwheel grotto interior and exterior.
This astonishing house was visited early in the nineteenth century by the Prince Regent. No doubt his stay at Sezincote partly accounts for the prince's enthusiasm for the Indian style, which John Nash adopted for the remodelling of the prince's Royal Pavilion at Brighton in 1815.

THE MAIN GROTTO
























The main grotto complex lies above the ornamental lake at the head of the water gardens. A view of the lake and grotto in 1819 is included with the sequencing pictures at the top of this page. The lake side is adorned with caverns containing giant conch shells. In the picture visitors to the park in 2014 explore the three entrances to the grotto on the bank above the lake. Inspection within the caves reveals that part of the grotto has been sealed off. Ivy covers the entrances to the complex.























Within the main grotto mystic gods peer from the gloom. Shiva, Lord of the Dance, dances while the world is created. In front of him his son, Ganesha, Hindu God of wisdom and literature. While at the lake side the Temple to the Hindu Sun God, Surya, radiates over all who venture to this haven.




Website: Click Here

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Click for GROTTO.DIRECTORY


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GREAT BRITISH GROTTO GRADING

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CONSTRAINTS

No Children, On private property, Open set times only

FACILITIES

Entry Fee, Grottoes - more than one, Weddings venue

LANDSCAPE

Park or Garden, 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, +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 SEVEN

(C)Copyright The Spas Research Fellowship. To contact the SRF, email: srf@thespas.co.uk or mail to: Tower House, Tower Road, Tadworth, Surrey. KT20 5QY. UK