Gay's Cave and Diamond Amesbury, England
Listed Building Data
Gay's Cave and Diamond has been designated a Grade II* listed building in England with the following information, which has been imported from the National Heritage List for England. Please note that not all available data may be shown here, minor errors and/or formatting may have occurred during transcription, and some information may have become outdated since listing.
- List Entry ID
- 1131081
- Listing Type
- listed building
- Grade
- II*
- Date Listed
- 10 January 1953
- Name
- GAY'S CAVE AND DIAMOND
- Location
- GAY'S CAVE AND DIAMOND
- Parish
- Amesbury
- District
- Wiltshire
- Grid Reference
- SU 14737 41692
- Easting
- 414737.4810
- Northing
- 141691.8180
Description
Grotto, late C18, perhaps by Flitcroft or Chambers. Limestone facade and lining to chalk cut cave set in cliff over River Avon, and below defences of Vespasian's camp (landscaped Iron Age hillfort). Spoil forms front apron with inclined paths forming the 'diamond' in plan and elevation.
Listed Building Description
Text courtesy of Historic England. © Crown Copyright, reprinted under the Open Government License.
AMESBURY - SU 1541 11/3 Gay's Cave and Diamond 10.1.53
GV II* Grotto, late C18, perhaps by Flitcroft or Chambers. Limestone facade and lining to chalk cut cave set in cliff over River Avon, and below defences of Vespasian's camp (landscaped Iron Age hillfort). Spoil forms front apron with inclined paths forming the 'diamond' in plan and elevation. Facade set at end of short dromos, an arch with springing and keyblocks, and an open cornice, all mouldings partly 'overgrown' with uncut rock-faced stone. Iron gates with fan top. Interior has square cell with arch headed niches each side, and to rear, an arch to an apse. Groined vault. Settings in floor for features now missing. Probably the place used by John Gay to write 'The Beggar's Opera' and 'Polly' in seclusion during his long stay and patronage by the Duchess of Queensbury.
Listing NGR: SU1473741692
