Alexander Pope (21 May 1688-30 May 1744) is generally regarded as the greatest English poet of the early eighteenth century and is the third most frequently quoted writer in the English language after Shakespeare and Tennyson. The money he made in later life allowed him to move to a villa in Twickenham in 1719, where he created a famous grotto and gardens.

The grotto was decorated with marble, crystals, Cornish diamonds and mirrors. Although the house and gardens have long since been destroyed, much of the grotto still survives. It is opened to the public once a year.

for more information on visiting the grotto at Cross Deep, please refer to www.twickenham-museum.org.uk.