Boscobel House, Staffordshire, UK
N 52° 40.295 W 002° 14.495
30U E 551282 N 5836007
A chimney stack with a possible secret hiding place within its walls.
Waymark Code: WM6MFF
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 06/21/2009
Views: 14
In 1651, Boscobel House provided a hiding place for the future Charles II. He had been defeated by Cromwell's New Model Army at Worcester, the last battle of the English Civil War and had to flee to France to save his life. He hid in many "safe houses" along the way - Boscobel being one of them.
Boscobel House has two known hiding places one in the attic and the second (but less convincing) within the thickness of the chimney stack. The "secret space" can only be accessed via a door by the side of a small fireplace in the Squire's room. Under the floor of the small room is a space of the same size but only 2 feet depth. Chimney stacks were often used as hiding places so they were frequently searched. From the exterior can be seen a small door into the stack which would draw attention to the fact that the chimney had spaces within. It may be that the small space off the Squire's room was actually a privy, and the door at the base of the stack was to gain access for cleaning.
So does the chimney stack contain a hiding place for a king or does it conceal a "royal throne"!
The house is an English Heritage property which has an admission charge:-
Adults - £5.20
Children - £2.60
English Heritage members - Free
The chimney is best viewed from within the grounds of Boscobel but it is also possible to view it without entering the grounds and having to pay the admission charge.
Private or Public Property?: Public
What material is it made from?: Brick
Estimated Height of chimney (please include whether metres or feet): 30 feet
Type of building e.g. house, hotel etc: Hunting lodge (English Heritage property)
How do you rate it?: 
Website with further information: [Web Link]
When was it made?: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
When visiting a unique chimney or chimney pot you must post an original picture with your visit log. Please describe the condition and make your log interesting.