Carshalton Park - The Grotto
Carshalton Park was originally a deer park and there were still deer present up until 1898. There had been plans in the early 18th Century to build a new mansion within the grounds which at the time were extensive. The park now only occupies about a tenth of the original size.
The Grotto and canal were built as a precursor to the mansion of which was never built. Comissioned by local Lord Thomas Scawen and built by the Venetian Architect Giacomo Leoni the ornate structure built in 1724 was placed over one of the natural spring which helps form the local river Wandle. The canal (now dry) currently runs the length of the park up out under the road and up to Carshalton Place ending by the High Street where it would continue underground until emerging within the boundary of the Grove Park, past Westcroft Sports Centre and eventually ending up in the Wandle after it has flowed through the Grove.
The inside of the Grotto is no longer accessible and one of the features, seashell shaped marble basin and flint glass seashells are no longer present.
Whilst the canal is dry if there is enough rainfall on the South Downs and the Water Table rises then the canal fills as originally designed and make for an impressive sight and photo opportunities. This happens probably about every 3-5years in the springtime.
This cache is the first I have placed and is to address the shortage of caches in Carshalton. This cache is a simple 35mm film cannister with log and pencil and not to far from the grotto.
I plan to have a range of caches around the parks to show off the large amount of heritage in the area.
Watch out for more....