Scott's Grotto
Latest Reviews
A charming curiosity that came close to being covered up for good.
Source: google.com
Well worth a visit, a really quite unique experience. Recommended, £2 entry, so good value.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Nice garden. Friendly staff
Source: google.com
Very intriguing little place staffed by friendly and knowledgeable volunteers.
Source: google.com
Visited just before schools broke up so plenty of time to spend.
Like something from a fairytale!
Like something from a fairytale!
Source: google.com
We have been meaning to visit here for many years. What a little gem!
The visitor staff were knowledgeable and very helpful.
So sad to think it was once a small part of what must have been an impressive house and grounds.
The visitor staff were knowledgeable and very helpful.
So sad to think it was once a small part of what must have been an impressive house and grounds.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very unusual, nice to look around at your own pace .
Source: google.com
Lovely hidden gem
Source: google.com
Scott's Grotto is an elliptical stone built English Folly that resembles a Hobbit House built by the 18th C poet and Turnpike manager John Scott who was a pacifist friend of all the literati in his Age like Dr Samuel Johnson in his devotional family life at Amwell House in Ware. The Summer House is well worth the gentle hill climb that shows where Scott wrote his anti-War poetry `The Drum'. I am a firm supporter of all that is personified in defending our liberty and freedom in VE 80 but would recommend any discerning visitors whom can also experience the peace and graceful tranquillity of the world known to John Scott and his 18thC Quaker minded circle of guests - who requested his enigmatic Grotto to remain open to the public on his demise. Scott s Grotto was restored at the behest of the Ware Society in 1991 ad is open only Saturdays 2.30 -5 p.m. and on Bank Holidays.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have known about Scott’s Grotto for many years but limited public opening hours has precluded a visit until now when a free Satuday arose for us to visit Ware. This was the last chance to visit in the 2024 summer opening season.
Was not sure what to expect but the restored grotto with summer house above is very impressive and unusual. It is all that remains of Amwell House which was originally the home of Quaker poet, landscape gardener and writer John Scott and his parents. The rest of the site of the former Amwell House now consists of housing development but the grotto was saved from destruction and restored in 1991. It is largely unlit and visitors should bring a powerful torch as those available from the friendly volunteers on site are somewhat underwhelming!
Accesses within the site are quite precipitous with rough-hewn flint steps without handrails, retaine unaltered because of the “Listed” status of the Grotto. Not suitable for anyone with severe balance problems and best visited in dry weather.
Beautifully decorated and formed, with amazing hand-dug inter-connecting tunnels . Don't miss the beautiful Summer House above, with even more steps to negotiate carefully!
Very modest admission charges levied to visit a really unusual attraction and potential income opportunities from souvenirs etc have yet to be exploited.
Was not sure what to expect but the restored grotto with summer house above is very impressive and unusual. It is all that remains of Amwell House which was originally the home of Quaker poet, landscape gardener and writer John Scott and his parents. The rest of the site of the former Amwell House now consists of housing development but the grotto was saved from destruction and restored in 1991. It is largely unlit and visitors should bring a powerful torch as those available from the friendly volunteers on site are somewhat underwhelming!
Accesses within the site are quite precipitous with rough-hewn flint steps without handrails, retaine unaltered because of the “Listed” status of the Grotto. Not suitable for anyone with severe balance problems and best visited in dry weather.
Beautifully decorated and formed, with amazing hand-dug inter-connecting tunnels . Don't miss the beautiful Summer House above, with even more steps to negotiate carefully!
Very modest admission charges levied to visit a really unusual attraction and potential income opportunities from souvenirs etc have yet to be exploited.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fascinating place!
Source: google.com
An interesting site hiding in between houses on a side road.
The volunteers are knowledgeable, and torches are provided for the walk in the grotto.
If you are claustrophobic, then the walk inside the grotto is not advisable.
Don't miss the summer house.
Parking is limited to on the street only.
Allow 1 hour for your visit.
The volunteers are knowledgeable, and torches are provided for the walk in the grotto.
If you are claustrophobic, then the walk inside the grotto is not advisable.
Don't miss the summer house.
Parking is limited to on the street only.
Allow 1 hour for your visit.
Source: google.com
A cute hidden gem, the staff are helpful and the entrance fee is so cheap. Lots of different chambers to visit and so much detail to see
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I went here with my School and all my friends enjoyed it. It was really fun.
Source: google.com
Very interesting place.
Source: google.com
Literally an amazing place. Absolutely fantastical grotto and beautiful garden space. Don't forget to take a torch
Source: google.com
Such a great place to explore for an hour or so. Usually open only at weekends.
Source: google.com
Amazing and unexpected gem. Must visit
Source: google.com
Interesting novelty of a building. Absolutely lovely volunteers. At some point it felt a bit like a D&D setting. Doesn't take long to see the whole thing. Not recommended if you're claustrophobic.
Source: google.com
Wonderful little gem tucked away up a hill in Ware. Friendly and knowledgeable volunteers on hand to help and share their expertise. Only open in summer and on weekends, but definitely worth the visit. Very cheap entry fee :))
Source: google.com
Well worth a visit. Very inspiring and staff very friendly and informative.
Source: google.com
An amazing little Gem in Ware; historical, unique, pretty and interesting for all ages! Take a sound pair of shoes as the ground can be a little uneven. Take a torch too!
Source: google.com
Fantastic little grotto dating from Circa1760. 99% still original, some nice Chambers in the cave with decorative shells. Gardens nice with a little summer house. Staff knowledgeable and helpful. All for £2 each. We'll worth it to help keep history alive.
Source: google.com
A remarkable curiosity and a powerful reminder of what this part of England was once like before it was swallowed up by suburbia. The grotto itself is small and doesn’t take long to tour, but you might find yourself taking more time to hear expert commentary from the very knowledgeable and approachable guides, who I understand are volunteers. The gardens above are not exactly magnificent (and are nowadays flanked by rather unprepossessing houses), but they are quiet and pleasant, and contain both a roundhouse with paintings of the area in Scott’s time, and the remains of an old tree that he once cherished. An unusual and memorable experience to visit here.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very reasonable entry price. Nice way to spend an hour.
Source: google.com
