What are the opening hours?

Thursday 11am - 4pm Friday 11am - 4pm Saturday 11am - 4pm Sunday 11am - 4pm

Shell Grotto

Home
United Kingdom
Margate
Shell Grotto

4.6 million shells. 2000 sqft of mosaic.
1 underground mystery. 🐚✨

Margate’s Grade I listed subterranean wonder.
(446)

21/06/2026

It's the longest day of the year today! An event which has been been celebrated across the world for thousands of years. 🌞🌾

There are sun-like shapes throughout the Grotto's Altar Chamber, and some believe the Grotto's Dome acts as a solar calendar designed to track the sun and the changing seasons, similar to Stonehenge. 🏛

All we know is, it's longer nights from here on out... 😭 Happy Summer Solstice!

11/06/2026

Love must be in the air because our Sailor's Valentine workshop has sold out! Best get the prosecco on ice. 🐚🥂

Missed your chance to get tickets? Find out about upcoming events, like our behind-the-scenes conservation tour, here: shellgrotto.co.uk/events

05/06/2026

🚨 CREATE YOUR OWN SAILOR'S VALENTINE! 🚨

Popular in the 1800s, Sailor's Valentines were bought by travelling sailors from artisans in the Caribbean and gifted to loved ones on their return home. 💌

With a cornucopia of shells to choose from, come and create your very own shell-mosaic keepsake, either for yourself, a loved one or your best Judy. 🐚✨

Complete with a candlelit tour of the Grotto and a glass (or two) of Prosecco. 🕯🥂

📅 Friday 26th June, 7pm

Book tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/shellgrottoltd/2094281

04/06/2026

We recognise that the Grotto is not the most accessible site - its creator(s) certainly didn't consider wheelchair access! - but we're always keen to do what we can to make it as accessible as possible.

As always, you'll find our Access Statement, Sensory Map and Visual Story on our website, so you can find out about our facilities before you arrive (shellgrotto.co.uk/visit ), we have large print information available on site, and there are headphones and torches you can borrow during your visit.

We also recently worked with the brilliant AccessAble to create a detailed Access Guide, which you can find on our website or theirs (accessable.co.uk/visit-kent/access-guides/shell-grotto), and we're working through their surveyor's assessment to see if any recommendations can be implemented!

30/05/2026

Our popular Sailor's Valentine workshop returnst! 💌

Popular in the 1800s, Sailor's Valentines were bought by travelling sailors from artisans in the Caribbean and gifted to loved ones on their return home.

With a cornucopia of shells to choose from, get the girls together and create your own shell-mosaic keepsake, either for yourself, a loved one or your very best Judy. 🐚✨

Complete with a candlelit tour of the Grotto and a glass (or two) of Prosecco. 🕯🥂

📅 Friday 26th June, 7pm

Book tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/shellgrottoltd/2094281

28/05/2026

🫠 We've spent this week sneaking down into the blissful 10 degrees of the Grotto to cool off... 😰

The jellyfish and mermaids are staying cool in our museum for Mer-May Half Term too, we have a design competition with a treasure trove of under-the-sea prizes up for grabs and KIDS GO FREE ALL WEEK! 🪸🐟

We're open every day this week, 10am - 5pm. Get some respite from the heat and experience the wonder of 4.6 million subterranean shells! 🐚✨

For visitor and access information, see shellgrotto.co.uk.

21/05/2026

This Half Term, swim among the jellyfish reef and wave to the mermaids in our museum room as we shell-ebrate Mer-May; our annual deep dive into the mythical world of seafolk! 🧜‍♀️🐟

Post your entry to our design competition into Poseidon’s postbox for the chance to win a treasure trove of under-the-sea prizes 💌 and arrive in your best underwater-inspired fancy dress to receive a precious little shell. 🐚🌟

Oh, and did we mention? Word on the reef is that kids go free all week! Praise be to Poseidon! 🔱🥳

📅 Open every day 23 - 31 May, 10am - 5pm

For visitor and access information, see shellgrotto.co.uk/visit.

17/05/2026

🌟 "Wholesome, creative, ridiculous."
🌟 "Shelly was a joy."
🌟 "Endless, beautiful fun!"

On Friday evening, our glamorous resident drag queen, Shelly Grotto, was reborn as the goddess Venus, posing for a sold-out crowd who each painted (in their own fabulous way) an iconic reimagining of Botti-Shelly’s masterpiece. Featuring 12 marvellous painters, 2 wondrous performances and 1 artistic breakdown. 🎨🍾

A big thank you to those who attended and shared in the love. And, of course, to Shelly for her endless wit, style and charm. 🐚💖

15/05/2026

Not Shelly... she would never... but our Birth of a Queen Sip and Paint tonight is officially Sold Out. 🎨🍾

We can’t wait to welcome the iconic Shelly Grotto back to her spiritual home tonight, alongside a room full of artistic masterpieces.

Missed out this time? Find out about upcoming events here: shellgrotto.co.uk/events

14/05/2026

Well. We didn't have Kevin McCloud announcing us as having "the most protected genitalia in the country" on our bingo card for 2026. But here we are. 🍆

If you missed us - and our special bits - last night, you can catch the first episode of Kevin McCloud's Listed Britain on Channel 4 📺 https://bit.ly/4uOGus9

Filth.

Address

Grotto Hill
Margate
CT92BU

Opening Hours

Thursday	11am - 4pm
Friday	11am - 4pm
Saturday	11am - 4pm
Sunday	11am - 4pm

Website

http://www.shellgrotto.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shell Grotto posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Shell Grotto:

Shortcuts

Address
Opening Hours
Alerts
Contact The Organisation
Claim ownership or report listing

Want your organisation to be the top-listed Government Service in Margate?