Jun 29, 2017 the curious mystery of shell grotto of margate no one knows who built shell grotto of margate, a magnificent seashellcovered hideaway in the united kingdom, or why. Located in margate, kent, the shell grottos walls and roof are covered in mosaics made entirely of seashells, totaling about 2,000 square feet of mosaic, or 4. The town stands on the n shore of the isle of thanet, and has stations on the l. The towns history is tied closely to the sea and it has a fine maritime tradition. The shell grotto is a beautiful cave network, the walls of which are formed of a mosaic of 4. A brief tour of the margate shell grotto, with james o. Ninetynine per cent of the shells that were used in the margate shell grotto eg. The story goes that in 1835 mr james newlove lowered his young son joshua into a hole in the ground that had appeared during the digging of a duck pond. Margate is a seaside town in thanet, kent, south east england, 15 miles.
An english explorers vast natural history collection has the first realistic dioramas of animals staged in their natural habitats. However, it is surprising that the town of margate, in a distant corner of kent, has two. Margate was one of the first english seaside resorts. Mar 18, 2016 the shell grotto lies entirely underground, and can be entered by a short flight of steps that leads into a serpentine tunnel roughly hewn out of the chalk, which in turn leads to the grotto. The 10 best restaurants near the shell grotto, margate. Almost all the surface area of the walls and roof is covered in mosaics created entirely of seashells, totalling about 2,000 square feet 190 m 2 of mosaic, or 4. The shell grotto margate 2020 all you need to know before.
It was discovered in 1835, but its age and purpose remain unknown. Local legend says margates shell grotto was discovered by chance over180 years ago, when in 1835 mr james newlove lowered his young son joshua into a hole in the ground that had appeared during the digging of a duck pond. When joshua crept down inside it, he discovered over 70 feet of winding passages, at the end of which he found the most wonderful subterranean shell grotto. Joshua emerged describing tunnels covered with shells. The mysterious shell grotto of margate part 1 ancient origins. The grotto s discovery in 1835 came as a complete surprise to the people of margate and debate has raged about the grotto s origins ever since. As a company who books s of activities and visits a year. They are then directed to a narrow winding staircase that leads down to the network of tunnels. Shell grotto historic site in margate, thanet visit south. I first heard of the shell grotto at margate when an aussie friend, living in. Shell grotto historic site in margate, thanet visit. The launch event is at the shell grotto, grotto hill, margate on friday,december 6 between 5pm and 8pm where nick will sell and sign copies of the. Pepin at media house, sarah vickery at the shell grotto.
The first steamboat service between london and margate was introduced. From the 1730s it set out to attract visitors, particularly from london, who came by coach and sailing ship to take advantage of the fine sandy beaches and healthy air. A local theory is that it refers to a gap in a cliff where pools of water are found, popular with swimmers. So, alas, has the grotto itself, and it is listed as an endangered structure. Margate was a limb of dover in the ancient confederation of the cinque ports. Margate shell grotto margate, england atlas obscura. It suited the baroque and rococo styles which used swirling motifs similar to sea shells and often represented the mimicry of architectural features from the italian renaissance themselves copies from classical times. This english tourist attraction is as beautiful as it is mysterious, as no one seems to know who created it and why. The enigma of the margate shell grotto by patricia jane marsh. Restaurants near the shell grotto, margate on tripadvisor. Nov 26, 2014 the shell grotto is a unique 70foot underground winding passageway in margate, kent, painstakingly decorated with around 4,6 million seashells. The amount of time this must have taken and the mystery behind it made for good topic of conversation, would definitely recommend it. Through understanding the historic environment of margate and its contribution to a sense of place, it is possible to stimulate people to value and care for it. The mystery of the margate shell grotto kuriositas.
Jun 10, 2014 the wonderful margate shell grotto is located in kent, uk. The name may come from an old english meregeat or similar and if so my mean seagate or lakegate. The shell grotto is another of margates popular tourist spots, but its. Little is known about the amazing creation of the shell grotto of margate, england. Shell grotto hosts launch of fuelling the motoring age book. Find out about our location, opening times, ticket prices and group visit information. Would you associate this place or activity with history. The shell grotto is an ornate subterranean passageway in margate, kent, uk. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book. Nick has also produced a number of local history books, including the story of margate s dreamland amusement park. The stairs down to the shell grotto, margate a visit to the margate shell grotto begins with the small museum at ground level, which gives some of the background to the discovery of the tunnels.
A shell grotto is a type of folly, a grotto decorated with sea shells. The mysterious shell grotto in margate has been attracting visitors ever since, and indeed this strange attraction is still open to the public today. Margate, a markettown, a municipal borough, a member of the cinque port of dover, and a parish in kent. Nick has also produced a number of local history books, including the story of margates dreamland amusement park. No one knows who, when, or why the popular story is that a laborer was digging in a field in 1835 when his spade disappeared into a void. Margate has experienced a vicious circle, with decreasing visitor numbers leading to reduced investment and consequently poorer facilities that again attract fewer holidaymakers.
Margate was recorded as meregate in 1264 and as margate in 1299, but the spelling continued to vary into modern times. The mysterious shell grotto of margate part 2 ancient origins. The shell grotto is another of margates popular tourist spots, but its origins. She told me this book was about the discovery of the grotto and a bit about the history. Margate has been a leading seaside resort for at least 250 years. To break this cycle, awareness of margates history and heritage is a key factor. Well, the margate shell grotto goes one step further, decorating the entire cavern with shell mosaics. As to margates very own shell grotto, no one really knows how, when, or why it came into existence. Feb 08, 2015 descriptionthe amazing shell grotto is made of 4. Almost all the surface area of the walls and roof is covered in mosaics created entirely of seashells, totalling about 2,000 square feet 190 m2 of mosaic, or 4.
Apr 03, 2020 recently visited margate and wanted to do something a little bit different, stumbled upon the shell grotto and was pleasantly surprised. Sep 27, 2012 margate shell grotto posted on september 27, 2012 by sarah salway not a traditional garden in the lawn and flower style, but ive long been a fan of garden grottos a passion inspired by a childhood gift of this book by barbara jones so i have no problem in including margates mysterious shell grotto in this tour and if i need another. Grotto replete with mystical designs laid out in glued shell mosaics. Respected motoring writer giles chapman, who lives near sevenoaks, kindly wrote the foreword to the book.
Theres a place in margate, kent called the shell grotto. It is known that there are about 20 to 30 grotto s of this type in england. The mysterious shell grotto of margate part 1 thirtyfive miles north of dover, a 40 minutes drive, one can find the english town margate in kent a coastal town with 57,000 inhabitants and a proud maritime history. The passages of the grotto with its overarching vaults are covered in rich mosaics of varied design, all made of shells. The mysterious shell grotto of margate part 1 ancient. If you want to visit the margate shell grotto, please check out its website for opening times. It was discovered in 1835 in the county of kent in south east england when the head of the nearby dane house school, james newlove, was digging a pond into the ground. A map is provided in order to help interpret the mosaics which include phalluses, skeletons and a tree of life. Is this a romantic place or activity that you would. Mar 11, 2014 a brief tour of the margate shell grotto, with james obrien. Oct 04, 2016 margates shell grotto is an ornate subterranean passageway with walls and roof covered in mosaics made entirely of seashells. With most of these places, the question of how and why they got here are easily answered the shell grotto in kent, uk, however, has murkier origins.
The curious mystery of shell grotto of margate mnn mother. The small english town of margate sits along the far eastern tip of kent, across the english channel from the french port of calais. As to margate s very own shell grotto, no one really knows how, when, or why it came into existence. A brief tour of the margate shell grotto, with james obrien. The shell grotto of margate is a complete mystery historic. Discovered in the first half of the 19 th century some claim it was in 1835, though the kentish gazette only mentions it three years later, on the 22 nd of may 1838, the grotto has remained a mystery ever since, as something doesnt quite. The shell grotto was a popular feature of british country house in the 17th and 18th centuries. Solve the mystery of margates shell grotto visitengland. Discovered in 1835, noone knows who, when or why it was built.
Visitors are first given the background and history of the shell grotto in a small museum upstairs. Scenes of both natural and manmade beauty are often found right in peoples backyards. At the back of the small entrance building which there is a small souvenir shop and cafe, and a modest exhibition on the history of the grotto. Sometimes its simply best to allow imagination to flourish and allow visitors to create their own history for this amazing place. The historical section of this book is based on fieldwork and research conducted by nigel. The mysterious underground tunnel with million seashells. It was added to the confederation in the 15th century. Local legend says margate s shell grotto was discovered by chance over180 years ago, when in 1835 mr james newlove lowered his young son joshua into a hole in the ground that had appeared during the digging of a duck pond. It was accidentally discovered in 1835 james newloves young son joshua was lowered through the narrow hole on a length of rope to retrieve a tool.
The margate shell grotto in kent, england, is an ornate. The curious mystery of shell grotto of margate no one knows who built shell grotto of margate, a magnificent seashellcovered hideaway in the united kingdom, or why. The mysterious shell grotto in margate amusing planet. What the history books fail to mention is that kent was the real winner of. They have been used as shelter or as a place to honor. Caves have always played an important role in human history. The grotto was discovered around 1835 and the story of its discovery is shrouded in. Recently, i wrote an article about the lost amber room of russia otherwise known as the eighth wonder of the world and how the entire space was tiled with amber mosaics. The shell grotto margate all you need to know before. What the history books fail to mention is that kent was the real winner of the race. The shell grotto margate 2020 all you need to know. Shell grotto hosts launch of fuelling the motoring age. The shell grotto is a beautiful cave network, the walls of which are formed of.
Apr 16, 2016 little is known about the amazing creation of the shell grotto of margate, england. My third book is a contemporary novel, but history plays an important role. This is such a wonderful place to visit as so unique, and with a great history. The mystery and beauty of the shell grotto ripleys believe it or not. He will be launching new book fuelling the motoring age at the shell grotto, on friday, december 6. In 1835, while attempting to dig a duck pond, a man named james newlove and his son joshua discovered a peculiar hole in the ground. Fuelling for the motoring age is online now via amazon for preorder at rrp of. The shell grotto is an ornate subterranean passageway shell grotto in margate, kent. Nov, 2016 the margate shell grotto in the chalky soil under the english seaside town of margate, someone has hewn an artificial cave and lined it with millions of seashells. The curious mystery of shell grotto of margate mnn. The towns history is tied closely to the sea and it has a proud maritime tradition.