Hermitages were constructed as secluded retreats within expansive estates, designed to evoke contemplation and a return to simplicity amidst the burgeoning complexities of modern life.  Most popular during the early years of the industrial revolution; but oxymoronically most popular with wealth industrialists.  Often crafted from natural materials like wood, stone, and adorned with elements such as moss and shells, and in this case; pinecones - these structures harmonized with their surroundings, embodying the Romantic ideal of pastoral beauty.

 English Garden design was intentionally  opposed to the opulent French style; The French practiced dominance over nature; with orthographically angled hedge rows and exotic plants; showing the amount of labour on hand. The British Style focused on lakes and native trees; with ha-ha walls blurring the edge between nature and garden. The Hermitage  was supposed to seem like these estate owners neighboured a magical wizard from a romatic fantasy of nature; They served as physical manifestations of the landowners' aspirations toward introspection and a connection with nature.

The Hermit in the Hermitage was intended to show the benevolence and piety of the estate owner to other faithful individuals - and their fidelity towards nature even if many of these landowners were concerned with pollution generating industries covering the cities in smog.  

Most Hermitages with in the Catholic faith were built by the faithful for the faithful; but the English built theirs on private land; and The Hermit was often a paid position; as well as being a spiritual retreat for the Hermit. The land owner would supply timber for the fire and food for the stove; and often the Hermit was required to refrain from talking to the guests of the garden - maintaining a solitary existence - or even strict requirements such as not cutting hair and nails. 

 Some notable English hermits include St. Godric of Finchale, remembered for his long life of solitude and early religious songs; Wulfric of Haselbury, known for his prophetic gifts and advice to kings; Robert of Knaresborough, honoured for his charity and life in a riverside cave; Julian of Norwich, famous for her spiritual visions and authorship of the first known book in English by a woman  - "Revelations of Divine Love" - 1373.  

Hermitages were religious retreats where individuals chose to live alone, often in remote places, dedicating their lives to prayer, reading, and deep spiritual reflection. The solitude wasn’t an escape, but a commitment—to live more truthfully, to listen more closely, and to strip away the noise of society. Hermits were respected not for what they said, but for what they gave up: comfort, status, conversation. Their small dwellings became places of quiet power, where insight was cultivated in silence; in modern language we may compare them to rehab – or a meditation retreat for practicing mindfulness. 

Today; those that have fallen through the cracks in society have no religious retreat to fall back on.  Rough sleeping and homeless individuals do not have access to rehab clinics due to the high cost of such a facility. Friends they do have are often a risk to dependence liability; and the family often no longer trust them even if they have been practicing clean living.