*From Monday 14th September the Grotto will be open Wednesday - Sunday 10am-5pm over 16th - 20th and 23rd - 27th. During October it will be open Friday - Sunday 2nd - 4th, 9th - 11th, 16th - 18th and 23rd - 25th. Please pre-book your visit* 

Discovered in 1835, Margate's Shell Grotto is an astonishing find; 70ft (21 metres) of winding passages decorated with 4.6 million shells.

The walls are covered in images of gods and goddesses, trees of life and patterns made of whelks, mussels and oysters.

Some think it is an ancient Pagan grotto, others that it is simply an ornate Regency folly; but with no definitive explanation or history, the Shell Grotto is Kent's greatest mystery.

Group Visits are to be Pre-Booked

Opening Times

*From Monday 14th September the Grotto will be open Wednesday - Sunday 10am-5pm over 16th - 20th and 23rd - 27th. During October it will be open Friday - Sunday 2nd - 4th, 9th - 11th, 16th - 18th and 23rd - 25th. Please pre-book your visit* 

In Winter, open Fridays and weekends from 11am to 4pm.
Open daily for February Half Term
Open from Friday 27th March to the end of October Half Term (Sunday 1st November) daily 10am to 5pm
Check website for other School Holiday opening times.

Entry Price

Adults: £4.50
Children: £2. (Child age range: 4-16, under 4s free)
Concessions: £4. (Concessions entry qualification: Students, Seniors (over 60), Registered Disabled, Armed Forces (serving and veterans))
Family ticket (2 adults & up to 2 children) £10

Groups: A 10% reduction on our regular admission prices. PLEASE PRE-BOOK.
Min visitors per group: 10
Max visitors per group: 50