S t o w e  G a r d e n s

T h e   H e r m i t a g e

The Hermitage is a short walk along the shore path, of the Eleven Acre Lake from the Cascade. It is a stone rusticated pavilion built by William Kent in 1731, made from very large stones, one of its two little towers being carefully ruined. Above its little arch doorway is a pediment, on which there is a faded carving of panpipes and a wreath.

Inside the structure, are three semi circular benches, within arched niches, where one could have sat in the gloom, and contemplated. This particular Hermitage never actually housed a hermit, as some other 18th century Hermitages really did. But oddly, there were few hermits actually willing to take up residency in such abodes, another example of this being Jack Fuller's Tower in West Sussex, and many a true hermit had to be actually paid by the builder to reside in them. Hermits were often abound to live under very strict rules, no talking, no washing or shaving, or cutting of the hair and nails. If, after living this way for a given number of years, the happy hermit, perhaps with a beard now as long as his arms, could be made into an honourable gentleman.

Below: The view from the Hermitage North across the Eleven Acre Lake to Vanbrugh's Rotondo.

 

 

 

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