Complete silence, a ban on bathing and a love of solitude are all part of the job description for a unique position that has become available at Tatton Park – after remaining vacant for the last 150 years.

Head gardener Sam Youd is appealing for an individual showing promise as a modern-day hermit to take residence in his Hermit’s Grotto garden, which will be on display at the RHS Show Tatton Park this month.[…]

The successful candidate must take a vow of silence and be able to live alongside a skull, to encourage human reflection.

@ Liverpool Daily Post (via Hermitary)

Ah, if only this were closer to home — it would be such wonderful research for the novel I’m working on.