page_title: Goldney Hall
section_title: Grotto
hierarchical_section_title: Goldney Hall / Buildings and grounds / Grotto
caption_attribution_description: A statue in Goldney Hall, Bristol
context_page_description: Goldney Hall is a self-catered hall of residence in the University of Bristol. It is one of three in the Clifton area of Bristol, England.
  The hall occupies part of the grounds of Goldney House, built in the 18th century and remodelled in the 1860s. The house and several garden features are listed structures, and the garden is designated Grade II* on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
context_section_description: The ornately decorated grotto was created 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. It is the only Grotto in Britain with both a shell room and running water.
  The grotto is approximately 36 ft (11 m) long by 12 ft (3.6 m) wide and consists of three chambers divided by pillars encrusted with quartz crystals. The central chamber houses a life size plaster of paris lion with a lioness sitting in a den behind. Another chamber hosts a seated river god with water running from an urn over giant clams into a pool. It is lined with over 200 species of shell brought back from such locations as the Caribbean, and African waters. The roof of the central hall is composed of closely fitting blocks of Bath stone carved into pseudo-stalactites. On a panel on the door is the portrait of a lady, thought to be Ann Goldney (1707–96), the younger sister of Thomas Goldney III.
  The grotto is opened to the public during Garden Tour days organised by the University's Conference Office and to students at various points through the academic year.
caption: A statue in Goldney Grotto
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