Quite a lucky explore this one as the grotto is located in the rather secure grounds of the 'Goldney Campus' which is part of University of Bristol.



The Grotto at Goldney House is a highly decorated grotto, dating from 1739, in Clifton, Bristol, England.








It was built between 1737 and 1764 (dated 1739) and has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building. It is decorated inside with shells, quartz and rock crystal and inside is a pillared hall with fountains, rock pool, statue of Neptune and a Lion’s Den. In 1762-5 Thomas Paty was employed in “grinding, gooping and laying” tiles for the Grotto.







The grotto was built as the centrepiece of the gardens by Thomas Goldney III, a Bristol merchant who was a partner of William Champion in the Coalbrookdale Works.





The grotto is Grade 1 listed. It is the only Grotto in Britain with both a shell room and running water, and its restoration is one of the strategic initiatives of the warden.