In the 1760s John Scott a Quaker poet built the UK's largest grotto in the grounds of his house. This fairly unknown gem is now tucked away in a street of modern houses! It consists of 6 underground chambers linked by passages and the walls are decorated with flints, thousands of shells and some coloured glass. It is one of the oddest places I have visited and I cannot believe I have only just discovered it although I live only 8 miles away! It is only open from April until end of September on Saturdays between 2pm and 4.30 pm. You are asked to give a donation to see it and £1 is the suggested rate. You need to take a torch or borrow one there and flat shoes are advisable as the floor is uneven. It doesn't take long to walk round but leaves you thinking "why an earth would someone build something like that?" Children seem to love it and had great fun guiding their grandparents round by torchlight and generally being "spooky". Above the grotto is a 18th century summerhouse built in flint at the same time. If you're in the Hertford area it' s well worth a visit. Ware is an interesting little town and a walk along the river Lee can be combined with this visit. The towpath goes past wonderful Dutch summer houses that were built in the 15th century in the gardens of inns to give guests a peaceful outlook and also gives access to nature reserves.
