Description:Photograph of a postcard view of Robin Hood's Grotto or Chapel, a folly in the grounds of Loxley Hall. When Loxley Hall was rebuilt in 1797 parts of the original facade were used to build the folly in Long Walk. Various parts of the Coats of Arms of the owners of the Hall, the Kynnersleys and the Sneyds, can be seen in the folly: the greyhound under a hawthorn represents the Kynnersleys, the lion passant guardant sable represents the Sneyds. The Kynnersleys were at Loxley Hall for nearly 500 years.
Information from Harold Whittaker's Story in 'The Road to Chartley Part 1', Jim Foley, 1998.
"The grotto is built of stones from the old hall (on the site of which the present mansion is erected), the front consisting of portices of ornamental sculpture in bass relievo, in a good state of preservation. The windows, which are of coloured glass in figures, from the ancient seat, are supported by the rich capitals of two Corinthian columns. Most of the other pieces of sculpture are scrolls of foliage, &c., whilst above the doors are sculptured the armorial bearings of the family, surmounted by another heraldic figure, which is hid from view by ivy. The door of the grotto formerly belonged to the old hall, and is a piece of most elaborate old carving in a good state of preservation. The interior is encrusted with thousands of shells, and a variety of minerals in cement disposed in various devices; at the back they are arranged so as to represent a mullioned Gothic window. The floor is paved curiously with the teeth of animals and bones, the ends of which have been articulated, appearing at the surface."
Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal, Friday 12 August 1859