Shell Grotto, Margate

How Shell Grotto was discovered is as much a mystery as why it was built. The "official" story tells us 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. However, there have been other stories appearing over the years. What we do know is that it was officially opened to the public in 1838.

Its walls are decorated with symbols mosaiced in millions of shells; cockles, whelks, mussels and oysters creating a swirling profusion of patterns and symbols, often interpreted as trees of life, phalluses, gods and goddesses.

I first came across reference to Shell Grotto when I was researching the goddess Nehalennia, a goddess who was appealed to and honoured for safe passage over the sea. (I will write more on Nehalennia in a seperate post.) Shell Grotto does not have the great age of the ancient altars dedicated to Nehalennia or any of the pagan gods and goddesses; it may have been inspired by ancient temples, or maybe created by pagans of the time for their own use. But this is all speculation, and its builders remain a mystery.