When you think UK, you usually think of London. But there is more to see than just the capital. There are plenty of other beautiful cities, and also small places with bizarre tourist attractions. I discovered the Grotto Shell through one of the travelling websites I follow, and I got very curious. They did a wonderful job with their advertising and communication campaign (http://shellgrotto.co.uk/). The pictures, videos and stories on their website really make you want to know more about it.
The Challenge Of Travelling To Margate
Margate is not far from London so, with a friend, we decided to spend two days there. This was the first city where my friend (who now lives in London) had stayed in the UK and so, it felt a bit like a pilgrimage. Our first attempt to travel to the city failed, as there was snow and trains stopped working (2018). We tried again in August and finally made it there. The weather was kind of OK, and even if the city itself isn’t very active, it was nice to relax and enjoy the sea breeze.
The Shell Grotto
The entrance fee to the Shell Grotto is not expensive (4.50 pounds), but that’s also because the grotto is really small.
The advertising on their website is so good that I ended up being a bit disappointed by its size. However, it’s still quite impressive and mysterious. The walls are covered with seashells (4.6 million shells), and I think it’s worth looking for some explanations because there are some specific shapes and representations.
The grotto was discovered in 1835, and they still don’t fully know who built it and why. It’s interesting to read or imagine theories. The atmosphere is special, with very few lights and the echos of the visitors’ voices. When you are in the round tunnel, it feels like the voices are coming from the other side of where people actually are.
Spending The Weekend In Margate
From a tourist point of view, Margate is a cute place to stay for the weekend, and there’s a pleasant coastal walk to do from Margate to Broadstairs (with mosaics, parks and beaches): the Turner to Dickens walk.
To see more photos of the United Kingdom, you can visit the gallery United Kingdom.
