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Latitude: 51.3878 / 51°23'16"N
Longitude: 1.3896 / 1°23'22"E
OS Eastings: 635932
OS Northings: 170870
OS Grid: TR359708
Mapcode National: GBR WZS.XVP
Mapcode Global: VHMCP.1CHZ
Plus Code: 9F3399QQ+4R
Entry Name: The Grotto
Listing Date: 22 February 1973
Grade: I
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1341537
English Heritage Legacy ID: 356546
Also known as: Shell Grotto, Margate
ID on this website: 101341537
Location: Margate, Thanet, Kent, CT9
County: Kent
District: Thanet
Electoral Ward/Division: Cliftonville West
Parish: Non Civil Parish
Built-Up Area: Margate
Traditional County: Kent
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Kent
Tagged with: Shell grotto
GROTTO HILL
1
1380
The Grotto
TR 3570 NE 6/169
I
2.
Many theories have been advanced for the origin of the Margate Grotto, including
Phoenician origin or a Roman Mithraic Temple. The Grotto was discovered in 1835
by a schoolmaster and his sons digging their back garden. It is however most
likely to be early C19 as there are traces of a modern brick in one of the Gothic
shaped arches. The pattern of the Grotto is 2 semicircular passages leading to
a central dome and then a passage leading off to a rectangular chamber. The Grotto
has about 2000 square yards of shell mosaic consisting of 28 different types of
shells, many of which are foreign. The cement which adheres the shells to the
chalk walls is very similar to Roman cement and is said to contain fish oil and
crushed shells. The motifs include common Egyptian, Greek and Indian motifs.
In the rectangular chamber are motifs of the rising sun, the moon and stars.
The modern buildings at ground level are not listable.
Listing NGR: TR3593270870
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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