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All 25 Margate Attractions »

The Shell Grotto

Grotto Hill, Margate CT9 2BU , England
01843 220008
Website
Looking north along the Serpentine Passage
Shells
Passageway
Stairs down to the grotto
12 visitor photos
Ranked #1 of 19 attractions in Margate
4.5 of 5 stars 28 Reviews
Type: Caverns/ Caves, Mysterious Sites
Owner description: The Shell Grotto is one of the world’s most mysterious places: a series of underground rooms and passageways covered by 2000sqft of exquisite mosaic...... more » Owner description: The Shell Grotto is one of the world’s most mysterious places: a series of underground rooms and passageways covered by 2000sqft of exquisite mosaic created with 4.6 million shells. Discovered in 1835, nobody knows who created it, when, or why. “The grotto is simultaneously haunting and homely. It could be a lost pagan shrine or have ‘A Present From Margate’ picked out in the shells - it wouldn’t matter. It’s still magical, mysterious and (once it’s in your head) impossible to forget.” Far From the Sodding Crowd: More Uncommonly British Days Out, Penguin Books, 2007 « less
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28 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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Date Rating
Cobwebbe
Margate, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews
“Unforgettable”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 February 2012 NEW

This is one of those destinations that you won't forget in a hurry. An underground cave lined with shells from a bygone age. There's also a small gift shop for souvenirs and a tea bar for a cuppa. A good place to visit, especially if it's not the right weather for a day at the beach. More

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sparkyKent
kent
Contributor
11 reviews
3 helpful votes
“Visited several times and will visit again”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 February 2012 NEW

Great place to visit if you are in Margate for the day. It is a little gem a place of calm. Shell grotto's walls are covered with literally thousands of shells, a very interesting place with a spiritual and historical feel about it. I have taken many language students here as well as my family and nobody has yet been... More

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JerseyGirl1981
Oxfordshire, UK
Senior Contributor
40 reviews
85 helpful votes
“OK but we felt it was expensive for what it is”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

We stopped here for something to do on a snowy day in Margate when most other attractions were closed. We thought it might be interesting as we have been to something similar in Jersey, but this was nothing like that. Yes, the grotto is poorly lit but like the other reviews say, it is meant to be atmospheric. It was... More

4 Photos
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Bee118
1 review
“Absolutely fantastic!!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 January 2012

The shell grotto is certainly a must see!! The grotto itself is so mysterious and intriguing it's mind-blowing, you won't believe your eyes! Having just undergone conservation work and the museum room recently being redecorated it is very fresh. The staff were very welcoming and informative, a lovely gift shop and cafe too! Will appeal to all! More

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Peter G
Herne Bay, United Kingdom
Reviewer
4 reviews
“Wonderland”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 January 2012

Totally original, nothing like it that I know of. A magical experience More

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Phil B
Tunbridge Wells, England, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews
1 helpful vote
“Great Place to Visit”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 January 2012

We loved the Shell Grotto and so did our daughter. Its all quite a mystery as to who made it. A must if your visiting Margate. More

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Spero_11
Deal, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
32 reviews
17 helpful votes
“Boring just not me, felt it needed looking after, I've been ther a couple of times as friends wanted to go but its just”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 December 2011

No interest just needs to be upgraded to be something you want to see More

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shellgrotto, Owner at The Shell Grotto, responded to this review
11 January 2012

Well, if it's just not you, I guess it's just not you! But we must respond to the 'needed looking after' point. We've spent the last six years working with English Heritage on conserving the Grotto, and so far £150,000 has been spent on ensuring it survives for future generations. We're always happy to chat to our visitors about the... More

Happy_Peony
London
Contributor
14 reviews
17 helpful votes
“Small but impressive”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 December 2011
1
person found this review helpful

Worth to drop by if you are in the area! Quite beautiful to see so many shells, it wont take more than 10 minutes to see it. More

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Mrs A
London
Reviewer
4 reviews
2 helpful votes
“Not well lit”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 November 2011

Hard to see properly as the place needed more lighting. Very small and not too much to see. £3 seemed to be very cheap. It only took a very few mins to see it. More

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shellgrotto, Owner at The Shell Grotto, responded to this review
11 January 2012

The lighting in the Grotto is designed to be atmospheric - you are underground after all - whilst providing enough light to see the designs. Most of our visitors find the 2000sqft of exquisite shell mosaic extraordinary and beautiful and mysterious. But it won't be everyone's bag! We do indeed keep our entry prices low. More

Eleanor R
Rainham, null, United Kingdom
1 review
“Fantastic, but...”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 November 2011

I love all of the designs and i love the mysterious history of the place, i really want to believe that it is some sort of ancient temple for a tribal community, however, victorian gas lamps have ruined it for me. Think of how fantastic it would be with full colour, and without their gas lamps, it could have been... More

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The Shell Grotto
Grotto Hill
Margate CT9 2BU
England
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