The Grotto and the site of the former Hagley Hall is a Grade II listed structure. Historic England believes it dates back to the late 18th century.
Carved from red sandstone bedrock, it’s a series of interconnected underground chambers. There’s a mild anti-chamber with groin vaults. One end features a circular chamber with six colonnaded columns and a saucer-shaped dome. The other end leads to another domed chamber via a passage through a tunnel with arcades, ending in an anti-chamber.
Hagley Hall was built in 1636 by Sir Richard Weston MP. It changed hands several times over the years. In 1878, it was bought by the Third Marquess of Anglesey. The Sixth Marquess sold it at auction in 1919, leading to the estate being broken up and sold off.
Most of the hall was demolished in 1932, leaving only a small part. During WWII, the caves were used by the Home Guard for ammunition storage. From 1967 to 1985, the remaining part of the hall served as an arts centre but was later demolished for housing.
The grotto opened in the 1950s but was sealed in the 1960s. Rediscovered by builders in 1990, its purpose remains speculative—possibly a hermit’s cave, an altar, or a place of worship.
Further Information: Historic England Listing: Grotto at Former Hagley hall
Friends of Hagley:Why Hagley caves still need an answer