The House in the Rock was partly excavated from the crag by a linen weaver, Thomas Hill, and his son between 1770 and 1791. Originally known as Fort Montague, it was a popular tourist attraction but became a purely private residence in 2000.
The house was lived in by descendants of Thomas Hill until 1996, the last being Nancy Buckle a former Town Crier. It was called Fort Montague in honour of Hill’s benefactor the Duchess of Buccleigh. Hill flew the national flag, fired his cannon and printed his own banknotes.
Support the Civic Society by joining today. Membership starts at just £12 a year.