Two large fragments of carved red sandstone found at The Vinehouse, South Garden, Stoneleigh Abbey

Description of this historic site

Two large fragments of carved red sandstone revealed in trenching in front of south wall of The Vinehouse, South Garden Stoneleigh Abbey, Stoneleigh

Notes about this historic site

1 Two large fragments of carved red sandstone – vermiculation. This type of carving was particularly suitable for garden features and it is even possible that they are from a grotto: Report’s Red Book of 1808 mentions a grotto in a loggia on the ground floor of the north range of buildings at Stoneleigh.Both decorated with carving in the form of vermiculation (a form of rustication) and likely to be 18th or 19th century in date, or even 17th century. The curved stone must have come from an arch or niche.

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