18th century folly at Shell House, St Osyths Priory Park, St Osyth (EHER 80432)
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Summary
Shell House is a folly that was constructed in the early to mid 18th century.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TM 1147 1632 (6m by 8m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | ST OSYTH, TENDRING, ESSEX |
Type and Period
Description
February 2023. Level 2 building survey.
Shell House is a folly that was constructed in the early to mid 18th century. It seems likely that Shell House was constructed by William Henry, 4th Earl of Rochford, possibly for his wife Lucy Young, whom he married in 1742.
Shell House is constructed from red brick faced with alternating bands of slag and flint with carved stone detailing. It is probable the knapped flint and carved stone used for Shell House has been salvaged from the demolished monastic buildings of the priory
On early mapping, Shell House is identified as a ‘hermitage’, a building historically constructed for a hermit to live in seclusion. Hermits were usually accommodated by religious communities but later became something of a garden ornament for Georgian aristocracy.
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Sources
- <1> SEX75582 Building Recording Report: Veasey, S.. 2023. Historic building recording of Shell House, St Osyth’s Priory Park, St Osyth, Essex, CO16 8GW.