Shell Grotto

30/05/2026

Our popular Sailor's Valentine workshop returns but this time with a Galentine's twist! 💌

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.

10/05/2026

This Wednesday, tune in to see Kevin McCloud begin his journey across the country to uncover the stories behind Britain's listed buildings, including a beautiful, little, underground shell grotto in Margate which you might just recognise 🐚✨👀

📺 More4, Wednesday 13th May, 9pm

Edit by Ruby LatkaVO by Ben MilesPost Production - Platform PostOnline Pics - John CryerAudio Mix - Ian Chattam

07/05/2026

Local and visit the Grotto often with family and friends? It might be cheaper for our regulars to become a member of The Friends of the Shell Grotto which grants you free access to the Grotto for a whole year! 🐚👭

To become a member or find out more about the Friends, visit shellgrotto.co.uk/support

06/05/2026

01/05/2026

It's May Day! The ancient spring festival marking the return of summer. 🌞🌿

Rooted in the Celtic festival of Beltane and the Roman festival of Floralia (honoring the goddess of flowers), it represents fertility, growth, and the midpoint between the spring equinox and summer solstice. 😎

There are dozens of beautiful floral and crop-like motifs in the Grotto, particularly the Rotunda, where, at this time of year, corn stalks appear to creep further up the walls and flower buds magically burst into life. 🌽🌸✨

We're open every day this weekend, including the Bank Holiday Monday! 10am - 5pm. Why not see us in bloom?

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