Alexander Pope (1688-1744) was an English poet, translator, and satirist. In 1719, he moved to Twickenham and built a villa by the River Thames.
One of his first projects was a tunnel under the road, giving him access to 5 acres of garden. He also built a grotto into the cellars of his villa, facing the river. Over time, this grotto extended along the tunnel.
The grotto’s development was a long-term project. Each year, Pope added new features inspired by places like Cornish tin mines, Wookey Hole in Somerset, and the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland.
The grotto has been preserved and restored through charitable grants and the work of the Preservation Trust. It’s located in the grounds of Radnor School but is open intermittently at weekends. Tickets can be booked via the Pope’s Grotto Preservation Trust.
Further Information Popes Grotto Preservation Trust