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

Shell Grotto

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United Kingdom
Margate
Shell Grotto

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

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

28/08/2026

We're all set for a bumper Bank Holiday weekend. 🌞 We'll be here, every day, 10am - 5pm, come rain or shine! Descend among the 4.6 million shells of the Grotto and discover one of the most intriguing sites in Britain. 🐚✨

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

25/08/2026

NEXT MONTH! Join us for our first ever restoration workshop! 🐚✨

Led by our award-winning conservator Rob, peek behind the curtain and discover the never-before-seen processes involved in restoring the Shell Grotto’s Grade-I listed walls.

With live demonstrations, a behind-the-scenes tour of our conservation in action and the chance to make your very own slate-backed shell mosaic, using the same methods and materials as the master! With all proceeds going right back into sponsoring more restoration, so you can be a part of the Grotto's legacy forevermore. 👷🛠🤎

📅 Friday 11th September
🎟 Book now: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/shellgrottoltd/2118778

19/08/2026

Among the more peculiar shells in our shop are these extraordinary things. Unbelievably, the little shells and stones you see have not been glued onto the larger shells underneath by people. These are Carrier shells - sea snails that collects rocks, coral, smaller shells and other debris they find on the seabed, 🪸🪨🐚 and then cement them to their own shell using a special protein and calcium carbonate mix, creating their own decorative embellishments for their houses! 🐚✨ Isn't nature incredible?!

15/08/2026

Award-winning printmaker Dawn Cole - who many of you will know from the brilliant creative workshops she runs with us - has a solo show just around the corner at Joseph Wales Studio.

The exhibition brings together Dawn's beautiful botanical engravings, dissecting artificial flowers and their meanings.

So if you're heading our way make a tiny detour to Dane Hill and stop by on your way - and be sure to say hello to Dawn from us!

Open 11-5, until 24 August.

11/08/2026

We've had hundreds of excited kids through the doors already this Summer, and they're often just as dazzled by the gift shop as the Grotto. And who can blame them?! It's a vibrant, shiny treasure trove of toys, puzzles, stationery, jewellery, books and cuddly things. 🧸🎁🎀 Oh, and shells, of course. The perfect accompaniment to an underground adventure! 🔍✨

Currently open every day, same as the Grotto, 10am - 5pm. 🐚

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

02/08/2026

The Shell Grotto has produced numerous printed advertisements since it opened to the public in 1838. This beautiful pink typographic poster, printed sometime in the 1930s/40s, is one of our faves. Look at those opening times! Our team is shook. 😅

Available to purchase from our shop as a poster, a greetings card and, new for Summer 2026, a postcard!

30/07/2026

Removing the ferns and plants in the Grotto is also a great opportunity to let the Dome breathe 🌿😮‍💨, removing the skylight that caps it and revealing a rarely seen view of the Grotto from above. The same view that would have been many people's very first glimpse of the Grotto when it was accidentally discovered almost 200 years ago. Imagine how they must have felt uncovering it and lowering themselves into the darkness.. 🐚✨

28/07/2026

Although the ferns that grow in the Dome of the Grotto are really beautiful, over time their roots dig in behind the shells and damage the mosaic. 🐚🌿 So, periodically, our conservator Rob comes to remove them, replanting them in his little rockery at home. 🪨💚

25/07/2026

What time is it?! Summer time! School's out, scream and shout! 🥳

This week we switched to our Summer opening hours, which means we're now open every day until 6 September, 10am - 5pm!

Escape the bustle of the seafront into an underground world that's fascinated visitors for centuries. Immerse yourself in 4.6 million shells and experience Margate's biggest mystery! 🐚✨

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

18/07/2026

We've gone all high tech! ✨

This week, as we continue to balance and adapt to a significant rise in visitors over recent years, we've installed an intelligent, automated counting system, just in time for Summer, which will considerably improve the ease and accuracy of tracking our visitor capacity in real time; reducing the risk of overcrowding, making your experience more enjoyable and better protecting the Grotto. 🐚💕

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/

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