Shell Grotto
Margate, Coast
Image: Shell GrottoMargate's Shell Grotto is a Grade I listed underground passage lined with around 4.6 million shells in intricate mosaics, and open to visitors since 1838. Its 70 feet of winding tunnels remain a mystery, with no agreed answer to who made them or why. It is a short, memorable visit for all ages.
Highlights
- About 2,000 sq ft of shell mosaic
- Around 4.6 million shells
- 70 feet of tunnels
- An unsolved mystery
Good to know
- Open daily over October half term 2026
- Margate Caves is a short walk away
Getting there
Shell Grotto, Grotto Hill, Margate, Kent, CT9 2BU
Get directionsChecked on 15 October 2026 against shellgrotto.co.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
Nearby
Image: The Margate CavesMargate Caves
Margate Caves is a charity-run attraction that takes you underground into chalk caves whose history runs from Iron Age settlement to their later use as a mine. It is an inexpensive, short visit that pairs well with the Shell Grotto nearby.
Image: Crab MuseumCrab Museum
Crab Museum is a small, playful, not-for-profit museum in Margate devoted to crabs and other decapods. Its displays of specimens and found objects mix humour with a strong message about the sea, which makes it a fun stop for families and curious adults. Allow up to an hour, then carry on exploring Margate.
Image: Turner ContemporaryTurner Contemporary
Turner Contemporary is a free contemporary art gallery on Margate seafront, in a David Chipperfield-designed building overlooking the main sands. See the latest exhibition, join an event or workshop, and take in the sea views from the café. It is an easy rainy-day choice and pairs well with a walk along the beach.