He makes a Grotto
Alexander Pope was 30 years old and already a celebrated poet when he moved to Twickenham in 1719.
From an early age he loved walking in the woods or along the river and reading.
He built his house here on the banks of the River Thames and made a path to his garden on the other side of the road by digging a tunnel.
Pope decorated the tunnel and its entrance with shells, mirrors, crystals, and other stones, making a fanciful Grotto or Cavern.
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He needed a place to write his poetry and lay out his garden where he could live in tune with nature.
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A puppy for the Prince
Many of his friends brought things for his Grotto including the Prince of Wales who sent minerals from ‘the prince’s mine in Cornwall’.
On one of his visits, the Prince of Wales must have taken a fancy to Pope’s dog Bounce. A puppy from her next litter was sent to the Prince at Kew, with this engraved on its collar:
I am His Highness’ Dog at Kew;
Pray tell me Sir, whose Dog are you?
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| Things
to do |
- Visit Pope’s Grotto and see the shells, crystals, sparry marble and rock decorations – you can visit on special open days at St James School, Cross Deep.
- Write a short poem about your dog or other pet.
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| Read
more about
Alexander Pope (for older children and adults). |
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