In 1835, while attempting to dig a duck pond, a man named James Newlove and his son Joshua discovered a peculiar hole in the ground. When Joshua crept down inside it, he discovered over 70 feet of winding passages, at the end of which he found the most wonderful subterranean shell grotto
All of the walls were covered in an exquisite tapestry of shells, since found to have been stuck there with an adhesive that is based on gypsum and volcanic elements. Over four million cockle, whelk, mussel and oyster shells form various patterns of mosaics. There are images of the Tree of Life, phalluses, gods and goddesses. Some say they can see the horns or a ram, and a three-pointed star; also representations of the sun and the moon.
Mr Newlove soon decided to tap into the commercial potential of such a dramatic find. By 1837, the first fee-paying visitors arrived – and with them the debate commenced as to origin of the caves.
One idea was that it had once been an ancient pagan temple. Another, that it provided the home for a secret sect. Other people were entirely convinced that it must be a Regency folly.
However, such follies were usually built on wealthy estates, whereas Mr Newlove’s grotto was discovered underneath an area of common farmland. And then, there is also the fact that had the grotto been constructed during the 1700’s then surely some record or map would remain – not least with regard to the enormous industry involved in excavating the passages and creating the shell mosaics. And yet, there is no local knowledge regarding the grotto’s creation.
However, such follies were usually built on wealthy estates, whereas Mr Newlove’s grotto was discovered underneath an area of common farmland. And then, there is also the fact that had the grotto been constructed during the 1700’s then surely some record or map would remain – not least with regard to the enormous industry involved in excavating the passages and creating the shell mosaics. And yet, there is no local knowledge regarding the grotto’s creation.
In 1999 English Heritage commissioned an investigation. The conclusion was that the grotto was unlikely to have been built during the Regency or Victorian period. Carbon dating was attempted, but failed to give a clear result, owing to the build up of soot on the shells after oil lamps were used to illuminate the passages during the Newlove tours.
Later, in 2001, Mick Twyman of the Margate Historical Society also attempted to unravel the web of the enigma. He observed that just before the arrival of each spring equinox, the sunlight enters the underground realm through a dome with a circular opening that acts like a pinhole camera. As the seasons turn, the ball of light that shines on the temple walls grows larger, and also continues to move over certain ‘lines’ or bars depicted in the shells, almost as if it is some form of solar calendar. At midday on the summer solstice, the light resembles an egg in the belly of a mosaic snake. Also at this point in time, it is reflected up into square apertures built above three distinct grotto passages. The light is then bounced down to shine on what is presumed to be a stone altar that's erected in a 'temple' area.
By these observations, and complex mathematical calculations, Twyman was able to show that, when allowing for the ‘creep’ of 1% in the Equinox angle that occurs every 72 years, the construction date for the grotto was around 1141 AD.
The following is an extract from an article Twyman wrote, linking the shell temple to the faith of the Knights Templar, claiming that it would have been used for Masonic rituals –
‘with a keystone over the entrance arch and its altar having everything required for Royal Arch Masonry ... while mosaic design centres cleverly supply the basis for Masonic symbols, such as the Compass and Square, Star of David, Pentagram and Hardoian Tetrahedron, a symbol of great significance to the Templars and Cabbalists ... There are also four panels which have above them the ancient God symbol of the three rays of heavenly light. Beneath one of these sits the Pleiades constellation, while the second has a Tree of Jesse surmounted by a tiny rose – another symbol of the virgin – and the third an ‘x’, which I believe to be the cross isolated from the banner of the Paschal Lamb, symbol of the Baptist.'
‘with a keystone over the entrance arch and its altar having everything required for Royal Arch Masonry ... while mosaic design centres cleverly supply the basis for Masonic symbols, such as the Compass and Square, Star of David, Pentagram and Hardoian Tetrahedron, a symbol of great significance to the Templars and Cabbalists ... There are also four panels which have above them the ancient God symbol of the three rays of heavenly light. Beneath one of these sits the Pleiades constellation, while the second has a Tree of Jesse surmounted by a tiny rose – another symbol of the virgin – and the third an ‘x’, which I believe to be the cross isolated from the banner of the Paschal Lamb, symbol of the Baptist.'
Whatever you think about the grotto and the mystery of its origins, the interest and research continues. Meanwhile, the Grotto has been given a Grade 1 listed building status, and although it remains in private hands it can be visited today.
More information can be found on the Grotto's official website.
For more posts on the Margate Shell Grotto, please see ...
ELIJAH'S MERMAID IN THE GROTTO ...
For more posts on the Margate Shell Grotto, please see ...
ELIJAH'S MERMAID IN THE GROTTO ...
I love the shell grotto - and I especially love the way it's in the garden of a private house. It's the antidote to the bombastic English Heritage presentation of other sites of historical interest (dare I even mention Stone Henge). Hard to believe it was up for sale in the mid-90s, including the attached house, for around £150k (or so I'm told by a friend who nearly bought it!). An enlightening post, thanks!
ReplyDeleteReally, Betty - how incredible to think it was up for sale for such a relatively small amount! I think I might have tried to buy it too.
ReplyDeleteThis is entirely wonderful...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chris.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, a fascinating story. I will have to pull out my medievalist credentials and pour a bucket of cold water on Twyman's article. There were no "Templar/Mason" buildings in the twelfth century, nor was there any real link between the two groups. No Templar building would have lacked Christian symbols. It looks lovely and fascinating, but modern, to me.
ReplyDeleteLiam - thank you! I was hoping someone would add to the debate and the theory addressed above. It does all sound a little 'Dan Brownesque.'
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous grotto, and an even more fabulous blog! I'm pleased to have found you via Nicola Morgan's blog. I'm fascinated with the Victorian era too, so will find much here to interest me.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Womagwriter - so glad that you found the blog.
ReplyDeleteI also came here after reading your interview on Nicola Morgan's blog. You must have had so much fun researching the Victorian era; the posts here are fascinating. A bit more research into how the shell grotto came about and you'd have the basis for another novel right there.
ReplyDeleteI always make a point to insult Dan Brown in all my classes, in fair retribution for what he has done to the art of history.
ReplyDeleteHello, Helen!
ReplyDeletelove love love that grotto.
ReplyDeleteMy good friend Jon Madden sent me the link to your site; my only complaint is that there's just too much on here. I will have to keep dipping in as and when i have time.
Excellent!
Jane, thank you!
ReplyDeleteEssie
I played in the shell grotto as as child visiting my grandfather Arthur Howard who lived near by - above it. My imagination would run wild as I tried to imagine who built it and how it remained a secret for so very long. Jacqueline
ReplyDeleteJacqueline - I feel very envious. What a wonderful place to play as a child.
ReplyDeleteThe background information on this blog is useful as I am visiting the Shell Grotto today to take some photos.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. I envy you but do wear something warm! Very cold today.
DeleteI have only visited the Shell Grotto once, in October 2011- still can't get the wonderful, beautiful, mysterious place out of my head!!! I am trying to do a project on it for my school work and my personal enjoyment, but to do this properly, i need to return there!
ReplyDeleteI love the Shell Grotto and was bought up just up the road (Approach Road CLiftonville) , I went to visit at least once a week as a child .My parents still live up the road and although I am in Norfolk now I visit the Grotto EVERY TIME I go to see them. I wish I could own it and look after it .. It is a very precious place and beautiful..
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful Lesley. A real part of your life. It's magical, isn't it.
ReplyDeleteLarlie...I hope you can go back there. I also want to.
ReplyDeleteI had a look at it Essie- wonderfully atmospheric place, and hard to compare.
ReplyDeleteThe point about expensive follies on great estates is interesting- Pope's Grotto in Twickenham was of course the basement of his house, but Williamson's tunnels in Liverpool is a comparably eccentric exception being cut from sandstone by labourers after the Napoleonic wars. Margate is nothing like as large, or complex, but excavated with considerable labour, and the ornament is astonishing.
On close inspection, I found that Welsh slate is one of the apparently original materials used with the shell ornament. Welsh slate was first exported in quantity (i.e. as far as Kent) only after the 1770s.
My observation on the slate and Williamson's Tunnels as a comparator doesn't discount the possibility that the original cutting of the tunnels into chalk is seventeenth century (Wilton had a grotto in the 1630s), or medieval(very much like Royston's C13 cave) or even- imagine!- Roman Mithraic, but the ornament itself seems to be a firmly post-medieval (non-Christian) abstraction.
No idea if that helps! Jonathan
Absolutely wonderful, Jonathan! Thank you so much for that information. So kind of you to take the time to post it here.
ReplyDeleteWith thanks and best wishes,
Essie
This is exquisite and mysterious, thank you for the informative post(s). A must visit the next time I am in England! Best, Stephanie Renee dos Santos
ReplyDeleteIt really is an amazing place, Stephanie.
DeleteE x
Having been a 'Thanetian for most of my childhood, I grew up on a tale about how the Grotto was haunted by a Benedictine Monk - I know of this as my Mother visited as young woman with her Mother and she will testify that she was beside the rotunda and he peered around the column and she smiled at him under his cowl. Has anyone any similar tales or fables about him in the Grotto?
ReplyDeleteThank you - how fascinating. I hope if anyone else has had a similar experience, or knows of others who have, that they'll let us know.
ReplyDeleteI love the Shell grotto. I've visited it many times over my childhgood and again a couple of years ago with my boyfriend. It is such a mystery and so evocative. Thanks for the great post, I've learned some new things about it today!
ReplyDeleteI visited the shell grotto in May this year and can confirm what others have said on this site - that it is quite extraordinary and takes the breath away. The current owner is passionate about the grotto and has gone to extremes to ensure that it is restored and preserved for future generations. The mystery surrounding its age and purpose only increases the interest of those who visit it. As the owner says, one day someone will unearth a drawing or document that refers to the grotto...perhaps lying in a box of museum papers in a far off place or simply in someone's attic. Sadly the historical papers relating to the grotto that were kept in Margate library were ' lost' when the library moved to new premises.
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame about the documents being lost. Heartbreaking really. But I'm so glad you enjoyed your visit, Philip. I hope to go again.
ReplyDeleteAnd Gemma, it is magical. Thank you for commenting.
I read the story "On of the world's wonders" about the shell grotto in the Victorian novelist, Marie Corelli's book "Cameos". She is one of my favourite authors. I will visit the grotto one day.
ReplyDeleteMy great great grandparents (Mary Anne and Charles Shipway) owned the grotto in the mid 1800s.
ReplyDeleteOh, Patricia, how amazing!
ReplyDeleteSally, do try and visit. It is quite small but truly magical.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is gorgeous. Maybe it was part of a Roman Villa, after all the villas of wealthy Roman could get elaborate.
ReplyDeleteIt would be wonderful if that was the case.
DeleteCouldn't resist making a comment ;) Visited the shell grotto, and loved it, especially as the James Newlove in question was my 4th great uncle. Amazing place, thank you for the story.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing Jacky. It's a wonderful treasure.
DeleteWell. My visit was an inquisitive posture. I'm not a fan of paganism but it is a fascinating all yet not grandiose accomplishment in comparison internationally. The altar conveys purpose along with the rotunda and sepentine path to a modest sized chamber. It screams of ritual and religion and it would be not unfair to say it had some religious purpose of not to a select few if not a family from far gone. Putting sinister aside I was trill fascinated by it all and would very much like to know the true history to it if it ever emerged. I wouldn't dare share what I'd do with it if it was under my wing. Evidently wasn't meant to be found but also not meant to be destroyed. For folly's sake it is the epitome. Very strange and mysterious. I will sleep tonight I hope... hehr
ReplyDeleteI would wager a bet that Mr Newlove had a hand in its construction.
ReplyDelete