Follies · South West England
The Grotto
In or near Silton.
The Grotto — Folly or eyecatcher.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 20 min–45 min
- Nearest railway station
- Bruton · 8.4 km
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
About
The Grotto is a folly in South-East England — built more for the eye than for any practical purpose, and a reminder of the British landscape's appetite for the eccentric. The site is within the Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs National Landscape (AONB). It sits within the South West Wiltshire parliamentary constituency. The nearest railway station is Bruton, about 8.4 km away. Postcode area BA12.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2025
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Protected designations
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs
Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.
Place summary
The Grotto is a folly located in Stourton with Gasper, South-East England, within the Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This structure is notable for its picturesque setting and distinctive architectural features.
AI-generated from the structured facts on this page (operator, designation, listing, era). Not a substitute for visiting.
- Coordinates
- 51.1056, -2.3278
- District
- Wiltshire
- Parish
- Stourton with Gasper
- Postcode
- BA12 6QB
- Parliamentary constituency
- South West Wiltshire
- Nearest railway station
- Bruton — 8.4 km
- Official site
- www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Sources
- osm: w128357615 (ODbL)
- commons: At Stourhead 2022 074.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Gothic Cottage
Follies · 0.1 km
Pantheon
Follies · 0.2 km
Wessex Ridgeway Trail
Mountain bike trails · 0.2 km
The Temple of Flora at Stourhead
Follies · 0.3 km
Temple of Flora
Follies · 0.3 km
Stourhead Gardens
Gardens · 0.3 km
Palladian Bridge
Historic bridges · 0.3 km
Temple of Apollo
Follies · 0.3 km
The Temple Of Apollo
Follies · 0.3 km
Bristol Cross
Memorials & monuments · 0.4 km
Stourhead Obelisk
Memorials & monuments · 0.4 km
Church of St Peter, Stourton
Historic churches · 0.5 km
Nearby
📷 5Follies · South West England
Gothic Cottage
Gothic Cottage — Folly or eyecatcher.
📷 5📷 5Mountain bike trails · South West England
Wessex Ridgeway Trail
Wessex Ridgeway Trail — a mtb trail in england south east.
📷 5Follies · South West England
The Temple of Flora at Stourhead
The Temple of Flora at Stourhead — a temple folly in england-south-east, United Kingdom.
📷 5Follies · South West England
Temple of Flora
Temple of Flora — Folly or eyecatcher.
📷 5Gardens · South West England
Stourhead Gardens
Stourhead Gardens — a garden in england-south-east, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near The Grotto
Places to stay
📷 5Campsites · South West England
Sunnyhill Campsite
Sunnyhill Campsite — a campsite in england south east.
📷 2Campsites · South West England
Two Counties Farm
Two Counties Farm — a campsite in england south east.
📷 5Campsites · South West England
Bush Farm Bison Centre
Bush Farm Bison Centre — a campsite in england south east.
📷 5Campsites · South West England
Leela Fields Caravan & Camping Park
Leela Fields Caravan & Camping Park — a campsite in england south east.
📷 5
📷 5Caravan parks · South West England
Longleat Caravan Club Site
Longleat Caravan Club Site — a caravan park in england south east.
Places to eat & drink
📷 5
📷 7Historic pubs · South West England
The Bath Arms
The Bath Arms in England South West, United Kingdom.
📷 5
📷 7Historic pubs · South West England
The Bath Arms
The Bath Arms in England South West, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · South West England
Strode Arms Inn
Strode Arms Inn in England South West, United Kingdom.
📷 7Restaurants · South West England
The Old Bath Arms
The Old Bath Arms — a restaurant in england south east.
More follies in this region
📷 5Follies · South West England
Batheaston Villa Temple
Batheaston Villa Temple — Folly or eyecatcher.
📷 5Follies · South West England
Beckford's Tower
Beckford's Tower — Folly or eyecatcher.
📷 5Follies · South West England
Belvedere Tower
Belvedere Tower — Folly or eyecatcher.
📷 5Frequently asked questions
- Where is The Grotto?
- The Grotto is in South-East England, United Kingdom (postcode BA12 6QB), in the parish of Stourton with Gasper.
- What is The Grotto?
- The Grotto — Folly or eyecatcher.
- How do I get to The Grotto?
- The nearest railway station is Bruton, about 8.4 km away. Drivers can use postcode BA12 6QB.
- Is The Grotto a protected site?
- Yes — The Grotto is part of the Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs National Landscape (AONB).
- Is The Grotto free to visit?
- Yes, The Grotto is free to enter.
- How do I get to The Grotto?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode BA12 6QB. It sits within the South West Wiltshire parliamentary constituency.