ADMISSION
pre-booking advised
At busy times - such as weekends and school holidays - we are usually only able to accommodate pre-bookings. If you wish to guarantee entry you should book tickets.
ADULT
CONCESSION
(Over 60s, students,
registered disabled, armed forces)
CHILD*
(Aged 4 - 16)
INFANT*
(Under 4, no booking required)
FAMILY
(2 x adults and up to 2 x children)
£4.50
£4
£2
FREE
£10
* Children and infants must be accompanied by an adult.
PLEASE NOTE
Please read our FAQ before booking tickets.
Allow approx. 30 minutes per visit.
We encourage you to wear a face covering, if you are not exempt, particularly in the Grotto, which is a confined, underground space with limited ventilation.
No dogs allowed.
Personal photography is allowed.
Filming and commercial photography is strictly prohibited.
The Grotto may be closed without warning. We reserve the right to refuse admission.
Opening Times
Open Wednesday to Sunday until 10 July, 10-5
Daily opening through summer from 13 July, 10-5
Members go free!
Support the Grotto, receive exclusive invites to talks, tours and performances, and gain free entry for a year!
Photo by Elissa Cray.
HOW TO FIND US
PARKING
There is no on-street parking directly outside the Grotto on Grotto Hill, but most of the roads around us do not have any parking restrictions. Although, please remember that we are in a residential area and respect our neighbours.
The nearest Pay & Display car park is at Trinity Square, CT9 1QY.
This is also the best car park to use for visits to the Old Town and Turner Contemporary.
BY TRAIN
From London, there are high-speed rail services to Margate from St Pancras and Straford Intl, which run hourly and take 90 minutes. Slower services run from Charing Cross, Cannon Street, London Bridge and Victoria. There are also direct services to Margate from the Medway Towns, Canterbury and Ashford.
To plan your train journey visit National Rail Enquiries.
BY COACH
National Express operate a coach service to Margate. Details on their routes can be found here.
BY BUS
The Grotto is on several bus routes, including The Loop, No 8 and No 32.
ACCESS
Access to the Grotto includes two sets of stairs. The Grotto's floor is uneven in places and has a slight camber. Visitors are advised to take care and use the handrails provided.
Large-print maps and Museum Room text are available on site for the visually impaired. Our Museum Room text is also available to download here.
For visitors with Autistic Spectrum Conditions we have the Shell Grotto Social Story; a guide that will help you find your way around the Grotto.
Our Sensory Map identifies spaces around the Grotto which might be noisy, bright, busy, dark or smelly.
We do our best to be sensitive to all of our visitors’ needs so please don’t hesitate to ask if you require assistance.
We have a full Access Statement to assist with planning your visit.
Please Note
No step-free access.
Not suitable for wheelchairs or those with reduced mobility.
No pets allowed in the Grotto except for registered assistance dogs.
MAPS &
ACTIVITY SHEETS
To increase the safety of our visitors, and reduce contact where possible, you are welcome to download or print a copy of our map and Activity Sheet before your visit.
Our maps are also available in other languages.
GROUP VISITS
Groups of 10 or more qualify for group rates.
Group visits require pre-booking and are subject to availability.
We are often unable to accommodate groups at busy times; we almost always have to refuse group bookings during the school summer holidays for example.
Large groups will be divided into smaller groups of 15 - 20 due to the delicate nature of the Grotto.
Group visits are self-guided. You should allow around 45 minutes for groups of 20 and fewer, adding another 20 minutes for every additional group.
Free entry for coach drivers.
There are coach drop-off points nearby.
ADULT
CONCESSION
(Over 60s, registered disabled, armed forces)
CHILD
(Aged 4 - 16)
INFANT
(Under 4)
£4.05
£3.60
£1.80
FREE
SCHOOL VISITS
A visit to the Shell Grotto can touch upon many areas of the national curriculum including art and design, the natural world and World War II.
School visits require pre-booking and are subject to availability. We are happy to offer a free preparatory teachers' visit.
Free entry for one adult per ten students.
Extra charges for additional adults apply.
Please advise us in advance if any students require one-to-one supervision. In these instances, their accompanying adult will not be charged admittance.
STUDENT
(Over 16)
STUDENT
(Under 16)
ADULT
(1 free adult per 10 children)
EXTRA ADULTS
£3.15
£1.80
FREE
£4.05
GROTTO SHOP
Opening Times
We stock hundreds of products in our shop, some inspired by the designs in the Grotto, some inspired by the seaside and many inspired by, or made of, shells.
We also stock an interesting range of jewellery, plus fossils, crystals and a small but perfectly formed selection of books.
All the shells we sell are natural and from sustainable sources. The majority are a by product of the food industry. Our suppliers are socially and ethically responsible and do not export any currently endangered species. We do not stock items taken solely for decorative purposes such as starfish, seahorses or puffer fish.
Our online shop is growing, department by department, and was launched in November 2020.