Shell Grotto

Incredible. The amazing amount of work. So beautiful!! The shop was also quite good, featuring really nice souvenirs.

Visited the Shell Grotto and really enjoyed it. The staff were very friendly. And there's a nice selection of items you can buy in the shop. Definitely worth seeing. It was quite busy when we went in Sunday, but you can explore it in about 15 min. A short but very interesting experience.

Visiting the Shell Grotto was an unforgettable experience. The moment I stepped inside, I couldn’t believe my eyes — every surface is covered in intricate patterns made entirely from seashells. It’s both mysterious and magical, and truly unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. This is absolutely a must-see destination for anyone. After exploring the grotto, I enjoyed browsing the charming gift shop, which offers a wonderful selection of seashells and other unique treasures to take home as souvenirs.

Interesting place to visit and cheap activity. It takes approx 10 mins to walk around you can make it longer if you really want to inspect the design. But it is very small so if you area bit wary of tight spaces be aware this may not be for you. They have some interesting facts before you head down to the grotto. The team are friendly and the gift shop is lovely if a bit small when there are lots of people. Definitely worth a visit

The Shell Grotto is definitely a unique and interesting place to visit - I just wish it was a little bigger/there was a little more to see. Fascinating series of passages and small rooms beautifully decorated with shells. And how and why it was done is still a mystery. I enjoyed reading all the history and info. Recommend. Only a 10/15 min walk from the old town (and we also saw a lovely Tudor house).

What a wonderful place. I think that this place deserves more visibility to the tourists than it has got at the moment. The place is truly the work of someone with a fine artist mind and a lot of patience and dedication. It is beautifully done. Thankfully it is now preserved well so the general public can enjoy the lovely artistic work.

Stunning place decorated with many shells. Definitely worth a visit. There is also a shop to buy all sorts of small things. Not far, 3-4 minutes walk, there's a carpark with a pound stretcher, there the parking is free for two hours.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely mesmerizing! The Shell Grotto is one of Margate's hidden gems and a truly unique experience. From the moment you descend into this mysterious underground tunnel, you're transported into something magical. The intricate shell mosaics covering every surface are breathtaking - it's incredible to think that millions of shells were carefully arranged to create these beautiful patterns and designs. The craftsmanship is extraordinary, and the fact that we still don't know who created it or exactly when adds to the mystique. The audio guide is excellent and really helps you appreciate the history and theories surrounding this fascinating place. The lighting creates a wonderful atmospheric experience that makes the shells shimmer and come alive. Perfect for families, history buffs, or anyone looking for something completely different. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and the gift shop has some lovely souvenirs. Don't miss this incredible piece of Margate's heritage - it's unlike anywhere else in the world! Well worth the visit and the ticket price. Highly recommended!

I moved to Margate 20 years ago and they have improved the Grotto year on year . It's superb now with a nice entrance and a great gift shop for cards/ shells / stone jewellery . Quite a mysterious place . Endlessly fascinating . How it was even made underground . And why ? It's not a huge exhibit but you must go .

This magical underground discovery is full of mystery. As you enter through the shop front and descend down the spiral staircase, you are surrounded from floor to ceiling with shells. No one is entirely sure of the origin or purpose for these designs. Interesting family visit: 1 - 2 hours. gift shop & snack bar with limited seating. Definitely worth a look!

Well, it's one of those things on our 'had to be done' list so we finished our few days in Margate with a visit to the shell grotto. It is a fascinating place and a visit certainly pricks your curiosity. Why would anyone take the time to construct such a secret shell cavern? Unfortunately the shells are all grimy so the overall impact is somewhat macabre rather than beautiful. To be honest, it gave me the creeps. However, I've been and ticked another Margate must-do from my list!

Literally just around the corner from the house i grew up in and only managed to get round to visit this in my mid 20's!! Really enjoyed it, its an unusual little place and defintely worth a visit. The gift shop was nice as well and managed to pick up an unusual looking shell gift for the girlfriend. Really recommend as something a bit unusual

Mysterious underground passages and rooms lined with millions of shells in weird and wonderful patterns, Definitely worth a visit to marvel at the oddness of it. Also has a small museum chronicling people's efforts to explain it since it was discovered in the nineteenth century.

Cheap and definitely worth stop here if in the area. I like the fact it keeps you guessing as to why the F it's actually there! Smugglers? No way...... what smuggler would go to the depths of art added to the walls? Anyway relatively cheap and worth while seeing.

This is super great and creepy and pretty cheap. It has a t-rex head made of shells. The 'mysterious origins' spiel is entertaining but hammy - they've gone so far as to carbon-date a single shell, as though the age of a dead crustacean would shed any light on the age of the grotto (it's clearly late 18th century). The museum and shop are also full of hilarious shell-themed items.