CONSERVATION WORK AT SHELL GROTTO

The first stage of conservation works have been completed at Margate’s
world famous Shell Grotto.

The Grotto, a Grade I listed structure since 1973, is sited under two
houses and the garden in-between. The concreting over of this garden,
carried out many years ago, was causing rainwater to be channelled down
into the tunnels of the Grotto, damaging the unique, and highly fragile,
shell decoration.

Work on restoration began in 2009, with the monitoring of environmental
conditions. An analysis of the structural condition of the chalk through
which the tunnels run was then undertaken, followed by trials to
establish the most suitable methods of stabilising and cleaning the
shell patterns.

This was then followed by work to stabilise the natural chalk, so that
the concrete above could be broken up. The chalk surface above the
central part of the Grotto was then covered in hardcore, a rainwater
drainage system, topsoil and grass. This replicated the lawn seen in a
pre-War Pathe newsreel about the Grotto and its mysteries.

The council’s Heritage Development Advisor, Nick Dermott, said:
“The Shell Grotto is one of Thanet’s many extraordinary listed
buildings, and perhaps its most unusual. This work is vital to help
preserve this unique attraction for future generations to enjoy.”

These ‘Phase I’ works, which cost in the region of £90,000, were
funded by English Heritage and the Friends of the Shell Grotto, with a
£19,500 grant from Thanet District Council.

The second phase of works, which include repairs to some of the
decorative panels and the cleaning of the shells, are due to commence
this autumn. This work will be funded by a 83% grant from English
Heritage already agreed in principle and match funded by the Friends of
the Shell Grotto.