The Unexplained Underground Seashell Temple of Margate

In the seaside town of Margate, beneath a sleepy side street, an incredible underground temple lay forgotten and untouched for decades, maybe even centuries. Who put it there? When? Why? And what's with all the seashells?

[@PatricioGarcia1973]

"Health and Safety hadn't been invented, so they dropped a child there" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ShengTheCraftsman]

oy kid, git in there

[@jackiebayliss]

I know the good old days. 👍🏽

[@123spleege]

"so they simply dropped a schoolboy into it" classic!!!!!!

[@ericjamieson]

Edwardian/Victorian children were basically semi-disposable.

[@SofaKingShit]

These days we wouldn't irresponsibly simply drop a kid down there. No, we'd have to lower the child down carefully in a properly secured safety harness.

[@vladutcornel]

Aliens were once bored with building pyramids. One said: "Let's build a Seashell Temple to mess with people". Mystery solved.

[@MyRegardsToTheDodo]

Boredom had something to do with it. But not bored aliens. Back in the 16th century (or so) somebody was REALLY bored when quarantining because of the black plague. So he built this thing. So he was basically the Colin Furze of his time.

[@P3x310]

Well, there we go, Cthulhu confirmed...

[@Saint_nobody]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWbLgqqJf6uojsk

[@richard_n]

Damn, you beat me to it LOL

[@mikhailchuev8715]

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!

[@JasonJason210]

Looking for this comment

[@izayaorihara7059]

Gothik Extravaganza No. You didn't.

[@Larstig81]

It is from a seashell collector, whos wife says "Throw them away or be a bit creative." So he dug a hole in the ground to preserve them, but then I realise that he could do more than that. And this is the result of it.

[@RobertThz]

"Maps available in French, German and Large Print."

[@spelcheak]

*NOW THEY'RE SPEAKING MY LANGUAGE!*

[@ApemanMonkey]

GREAT! I'M FLUENT IN LARGE PRINT!

[@derauditor5748]

Large Pint you say?

[@fredygump5578]

Yes, but can you speek in Large Print???

[@berthold64]

large? you mean american?

[@omoba3000]

I discovered this channel barely 48hrs ago but it’s now my favorite. I’ve made it a mission to watch every single one of his videos

[@TheTimTraveller]

Good luck on your heroic mission!

[@MegaMapper]

"Nobody knows why they built it" Hey john, let's build temple of seashells for no reason!

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

It's obviously a place to worship Dagon.

[@allangibson8494]

Let's build a tourist trap.....

[@lincolnnoronha4128]

Quotenwagnerianer r’lyeh Cthulhu f’tagn

[@WG55]

Amazing masonry. It must be the Freemasons!

[@volkerwendt3061]

Seems to be the proper explanation.

[@jonesjohnson6301]

I'll say with high certainty that this grotto isn't older than the mid- to late medieval ages at best, as the ancient world did not build gothic arches. Furthermore, it's definitely not from that time, as in that case there would be some other indications. It's probably, like you said in the video, a folly, a grotto. This particular man who did this, probably liked the idea of having a secret place. Location could be due to there having been a preexisting natural grotto (area seems to be made of chalk, which is where these kinds of holes often appear), which would have made this cheaper. It was most likely commissioned by a rich man, since building it yourself in your spare time seems a bit impractical (especially if everything had to be dug out). Or, perhaps, it was a scam right from the start, people building it and then "discovering" it to make money off showing it to others. Margate was already a leading seaside resort by that time. Those are my guesses.

[@samchen9951]

In the below video at 33 seconds in, there is a heart shaped symbol. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z369i3dpbrppna8&ab_channel=GreatBigStory While symbols looking like this were known in ancient times, that kind of hearts weren't really used as symbols until late middle ages, and that is telling that it definitely wasn't before the middle ages. If Margate wanted to truly get to the bottom of the mystery they would've weeded out silly theories like the 12000 years ago one.

[@gladtobeangry]

The scam seems quite likely. Or perhaps it is a piece of genuine outsider art. There are modern examples of intricately decorated buildings and structures built by lone eccentric people. There is no reason that couldn't have happened in the early 19th century. Common characteristics include : intricate decoration, use of found objects (in this case sea shells), and a certain consistent alienating style unique to the artist. Could also be both. When I was a kid my parents would take me to what they just called "the mad garden" whenever we were on holiday on the Costa Brava. It was just a garden owned by a weird old Spanish hippie dude who created sculptures and structures out of concrete and glass representing all sorts of weird fantasy creatures or just fun abstract shapes. He built it because that was his passion, but he also charged admission fees for visitors to come and see his creations. Or in my case: climb his creations, which was allowed, and in many cases the intended purpose of the things he made. This could be something like that, just with a bit of a spicy backstory to attract more visitors.

[@katrinabryce]

My guess is that it was dug out in the late 1820s-early1830s, and "discovered" shortly after completion.

[@jakecavendish3470]

It was likely created around 1800. It was in the grounds of a cottage called Belle Vue which was a small house owned by Lady Holland who spent her summers in Ramsgate (at Holland House). Belle Vue was a sort of afternoon excursion house for entertaining friends for tea. Guess what one of Lady Holland's favourite pastimes was when in Ramsgate- having shellwork follies built in the gardens. So when the cottage was bought off her family in the 1830s I can see why the new owner would make up a story in order to turn the place into a tourist attraction. The public wouldn't have known about it and "mysterious discovery" would, and still does, pull in more people than "early C19th garden feature."

[@iankemp1131]

@@jakecavendish3470 That sounds pretty plausible. There are similar grottos around the country, such as Scott's Grotto at Ware (late 18th century). The owner was quite open about it and showed lots of visitors around, and had a visitors book. For the Margate one, at least they didn't have to take the shells so far!

[@CSLucasEpic]

Imagine how beautiful it must have looked when it was new and the shells still retained their colors...

[@MurraySteel3.14]

I love the cheeky “keeping up appearances” theme in the the background 😂

[@seatedliberty]

Someone was going to explain why much of the ceiling was covered in bivalves, but they were told to clam up.

[@toomanymarys7355]

Hi dad

[@rogerkearns8094]

They found a grotto under Grotto Hill? I mean, what were the chances of that happening?

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Ha ha , yup your comment is still funny even 2 years later.

[@rogerkearns8094]

@@SecretSquirrelFun Yay, nice one squirrel. Cheers ;)

[@tdolan500]

Bumping an old comment but I shit you not they recently found a large 17th century castle in Clones Co. Monaghan Ireland. Where? Castle street….

[@danielpotter8957]

The clue was staring them in the face!

[@rachelcookie321]

@@tdolan500 how do you just find a large castle? Was it just like the foundation of one hidden underneath layers of dirt?

[@AM-kr4pv]

I love that you add info about the accessibility. I laughed when you clarified when it wasn't accessible because no shit but I have had times where I've been watching, assuming I could never do any of it myself and you'll surprise me by mentioning that it's accessible. The greatest surprise is that you even mention it at all honestly, I'm so used to being ignored it shakes me awake a little to be acknowledged.

[@pyalot]

They are concerned that dating would destroy the mystery. But it could also add to the mystery...

[@TheGoukaruma]

Unless it's only 150 years old and build to lure tourists.

[@pyalot]

Just date it, if its a good dating, you are set, if it is an invonvenient one, say you didnt date it.

[@eyebook8887]

@@pyalot Maybe that is what happened

[@pyalot]

EyeBook888 dangit

[@Ramog1000]

@@TheGoukaruma I mean even for 150 years ago that thing is an extreme accomplishment.

[@scanida5070]

10 year old me finding a Minecraft Desert Temple:

[@russelllee3782]

Damn! I live in Margate and on that road and not once have I been in there. May go visit it now ☺️

[@paulcreed3836]

I have much love of your adventures and all the things that I learn. Today I see you in my town. I first saw the shell grotto 50 years ago. I took a friend 6 months ago. The caves have just opened once more too. Thank you so.

[@thinkcentre2974]

So, 50 years ago... was the time of Hippies and Flower Power culture... perhaps they did this decorations?

[@shionwagoner]

I am a Phoenician (AZ). Wasn't me

[@DaveP1991]

Well that's the one solved. Cross Phoenicians off the list.

[@fifthmoon4478]

I'm descendant of the other kind (LB), and it also wasn't me. My vote's ancient Mexicans

[@im.not.typical91]

Im mexican and in Phoenix

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

Lol

[@nomenestomen8952]

Phoenician Culture is located in todays Tunisia and Nort African Coastline

[@TheBreadthatcausedLesMis]

If you fancy doing another video about interesting underground structures etc, there's always the City of Caves in Nottingham.

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

Hm

[@stelley08]

Similar to Cappadocia in a way, mustve been the trend back then..

[@alaintheisen7781]

As always: The way you tell your story is amazing.

[@alexritchie4586]

One of the quirks of the North-East Kent Coast that fascinates me are the giant concrete bathing pools sunk into the sand so they can filll with seawater at high tide and remain filled as the tide goes out. I've seen people swimming in them, but they always frighten me, since I cannot even begin to imagine what's lurking at the bottom of them 😳

[@raymondo162]

As well as the sheer number of shells, I found it fascinating to ponder that, at some point, the shells must have been graduated / graded for size, in order to make the decorative shapes..…………. And Tim didn't tell of the midsummer's day light event inside The Grotto so you'll have to visit to check that one out

[@RobertThz]

Has there ever been a big country house on the land? For a while there was a craze for follies built like hermitages, (sometimes including an actual decorative hermit). Hermit caves were not unusual.

[@lqr824]

lol at hermit

[@iankemp1131]

There was a small house on the land owned by Lady Holland who liked to build decorative features in the gardens - info from @jakecavendish3470 under another comment. So that would seem a highly likely origin!

[@henrylong00]

Me and my mates built it one time after a night out

[@paulabraham2550]

Are you ancient Mexicans?

[@CheshireTomcat68]

@@paulabraham2550 No they're Phoenicians, That's the name of the Pub they frequent! :-)

[@anjachan]

no matter how old ... it looks so pretty! Thanx for showing. I have never seen it before!

[@mh_dot_fm]

The kindest and the warmest travel channel I know. Thanks for your work, and good luck!

[@lewfinnis7795]

My first thought when I went there many years ago was that is clearly 18th Century - probably, as has been mentioned already, a local equivalent of the Hellfire Club. That was the era when oddities like this were being made, and if it's underground you can get up to whatever you want to get up to! It does seem to have deteriorated over the last 20 years or so.

[@cerneuffington2656]

I visited Margate many times during the 1980s and 90s. My visits were usually a short walk from the car park or train station, to Dreamland, where I spent the entire day. Sometimes, a walk on the beach or a fish and chip meal in one of the cafes. I did once venture in town to visit McDonalds, And until now, i didn't have a clue that this place existed.♥

[@sunthlower4812]

Judging by the shape of the arches it's at least post-gothic so i wouldnt expect it to be more than 500 years old and definitely not more than 800. And we know it was re-discovered about 200 years ago so there's about half a millenium of time it could've probably been built in

[@dickjohnson4447]

Just recently found this channel, wow magnificent content and awesome narration

[@derauditor5748]

one of us! one of us! one of us! one of us!

[@bestvibes1848]

My girlfriend just asked me this morning why you don’t watch the “HELLO “ video I told her I watched them all already thanks for new one

[@98dizzard]

Your channel is criminally under-subscribed. Interesting places and an excellently humourous presentation. Glad to have found it.

[@davidcousineau1397]

I have no more than three KZbin channels I eagerly await for updates. This gentleman’s is one of them. His sense of humor is always a pick-me-up. Thank you!

[@tonyberk94121]

What a fantastic mystery! Always a joy when a new one of your videos pops up!

[@Sheharyarjavaid]

Give this man a show already. Those narrating skills are so unique and fresh. They make your videos very enjoyable.

[@PiratesRose9098]

It reminds me of the Coral Castle in Florida. We know who built the Castle and when, we just don’t know *how* he did it. It’s all very creepy and mysterious, which is the vibe I’m getting from this grotto... en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_Castle

[@OnkelJajusBahn]

This is really one of the most unusual videos I have ever seen on your channel. Now sou really made me interrested in this incredible structure.

[@crowlord]

Remembered visiting this as a kid. Made mine visit as an adult. Such a weird place.

[@barrishautomotive]

Not sure why KZbin recommended discount Simon Pegg here, but so far I'm digging it.

[@rofsjan]

KZbin algorithm: "You need to see an underground seashell temple in Margate."

[@syritasdoneitgoodytwoshoes2471]

Beautiful! Thx Tim

[@keithwhittington1322]

What is it? A world-class work of art. Thanks for showing it to me.

[@misse7154]

I love your channel! You always have unique destinations and interesting history, with a witty narrative. Nicely done!

[@CinemaDemocratica]

This video is over three years old as I write this, on which basis it is vanishingly unlikely that anyone will even notice, much less care, but ... the Casino at Marino Dublin is most assuredly *not* a folly. It was built by William Chambers in the mid-18th century to function as a summer home for James Caulfield, the First Earl of Charlemont. Designed to appear as a single room from the outside, both in its dimensions and its scale, it is actually a sixteen-room mansion, with receiving areas, bedrooms, and an elaborate underground structure that ends in a room with several grated skylights to the outside. It's exactly the sort of place that should be catnip to this channel, so it was a genuine spit-take moment to hear it described as a folly.

[@MrFlyingguy]

its no wonder how your popularity is rising, perfectly nuanced humour with some very interesting subjects....happy 60k mate

[@frankowalker4662]

That is a fantastic piece of workmanship. It must have taken years to dig and decorate.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Looks fantastic! Somewhere to visit when things get back to normal!

[@maxiewawa]

The theme from Keeping Up Appearances! You should do some more piano videos if you get time. Maybe make a channel. There's also an old rug that someone has left unattended in front of my place, if you want it. ;)

[@TheTimTraveller]

What I good idea, I'll note that down

[@briocheoleary5043]

It reminds me a bit of the : Hellfire caves . Near west Wycombe in Buckinghamshire

[@enricomonti156]

Went there a couple of weeks ago, and it was just amazing. Such a shame though that many places in Margate close quite early

[@ZT742]

I've only just found this channel, but I love it! Especially the music choices 😂

[@TheTimTraveller]

Cheers ZT742!

[@Alexander_C69]

The architectural style dates it to sometime during or after the 12 century. As no artefacts have been found, the symbols seams generic and given that similar shell grotto were follies it is likely that it is just a folly, the reasons they given for not being a folly are weak, not all follies were built on estates as a show of wealth, follies such as the Williamson Tunnels were built on land that were not part of estates and thought to be built to fulfil eccentric interests and provide employment. People not remembering something being built does not mean that it is old, just that it is not talked about which not surprising given that follies were very common back in the 18th-century.

[@UnitSe7en]

Exactly. 400-or-whatever years ago some folk were doing a project in a small town by the sea miles from anywhere else. It wouldn't have been so unusual and there wasn't anyone else to tell about it anyway.

[@jimb3333]

If you decide to come to Texas I urge you to visit Houston for things right up your alley, for example the Beer Can House completely covered by flatten cans personally emptied by the owner of the house. He's dead now, no wonder. There's the world's largest funeral museum, the Orange Show built by a similar eccentric in a shout-out to his favorite fruit and the art car museum which consists of automobiles decorated by those who surely do not have enough to occupy themselves. If you come you may stay in the Barbie/Lego room in our flat so named for the grandchildren now college age who used it for those purposes. It's now mostly vacant although the grandson occasionally sneaks in to fool with the Legos. Don't tell his friends!

[@buddhaAC]

Hi Tim. Great entertainment, as usual I would say. Thanks for that. By the way, having Kevin Shelley (CountryHouseGent), Jay Foreman (Unfinished London), Matt Stephens, Daniel Lloyd and Simon Richardson (GCN) and of course yourself, I wonder if you learn this humourous style in british schools. I love it and hope all of you don't stop doing your stuff too early. Thank you very much!

[@MrGreatplum]

Margate was weird enough before finding out it has a weird shell temple there... still, in a town that has a roller coaster retirement home, should we be surprised by this oddity? Great video, as ever!

[@Ash007YT]

What a strange building. Thanks for video it was intriguing.

[@MrTimstaaa]

Absolutely amazing

[@zsoltsandor3814]

She sells seashells by the seashore, and makes a bloody fortune.

[@Kaksraaja]

Maybe that temple was build by a farmer who just wanted to surprise his wife and/ or children. Usually facts are boring comparing all the speculated storys around it :D Awesome informative video again as you always make!

[@FilmscoreMetaler]

My theory is that it was build by some regular guy or people just out of fun. Many similar great pieces of art were built for only two simple reasons: spare time and devotion. There doesn't always have to be a god or a rich person behind it. If it was, they surely wouldn't have used shells only.

[@sarthakupadhyay2145]

In India, these kind of undiscovered structures would have nothing but snakes 🐍..... There are still lot of underground structures in India, nobody is willing to go because of snakes

[@jayvonwebb4864]

Thanks for making this video a couple months after I went to margate

[@Schlafanzugmen]

Damn your KZbin channel ist literally exploding. So many new subscribers in that short time. Amazing! Keep continuing doing this awesome content. And come to Munich I will show you around. :-)

[@TheTimTraveller]

Cheers Schlafanzugmen!

[@maartenblokdijk]

60k subs already. you are growing man! Keep it up!

[@jonnda]

I wish I knew what it looked like when the shells were still colorful.

[@lizvickers7156]

I remember when they were colourful but this is going back 50yrs ago. My mum was from Margate so as a family we would travel back to Margate every year from Cheshire for 2 weeks to stay with my nan and grand dad. The grotto was lovely then and it was colourful but I was 11.

[@MyRegardsToTheDodo]

@@lizvickers7156 Sorry, but I doubt that. The pre-WWII photo already showed the seashells to be white.

[@rachelcookie321]

@@MyRegardsToTheDodo you mean the blank and white photo that shows any light colour as white?

[@joshrack551]

Cheers Tim! Great stuff. Fancy doing Hull next? They've got a weird telecoms company with white phone boxes... If there's any left. And a big port if that tickles your fancy.

[@ZineSG]

Hey! What happened to the scream when you are falling in intro? Love the content btw :)

[@rjpnet101]

Thank you for the video need to see it for myself

[@insertyourquarters]

Reminds me of the cave underneath the Notts shopping centre. I must see this.

[@sschmidtevalue]

I'd like to see your take on the Sedlec ossuary in the Czech Republic!

[@ducttapeanddreams]

It was probably built shortly before it was "discovered" as a tourist trap. Also, congrats on the crazy fast increase in subscribers

[@chaseroyell7227]

Well done. Thank you for making this video. So interesting.

[@jjohn1234]

Hey Tim, Maybe a good investment would be to buy some sort of gimble to stabilize you videos. I noticed they are a bit shaky. But still I really enjoy your videos

[@apcolleen]

Just needs youtubes algorithm to bring more people with money.

[@kehek15]

Content is more important. I can compromise a shaky video over great content.

[@draw4kicks]

Fascinating thank you Tim!!

[@Tflexxx02]

So nice to find a new video from you. Always enjoyable listening to your wit and good nature, plumbing the depths of mystery seashell grottoes and soaring to the Alpine heights of the Netherlands (and Luxembourg), as they do.

[@rambunctiousmedia3350]

This American, who didn't know about this temple until now, can suggest two things: 1. that it was another product of the Celtic tribe(s) that used to live in that area, and 2. that the Seashell Temple lived up to its role as a Pagan temple. As for when it was built, your guess is as good as mine.

[@paulmaddison6193]

I see the KZbin algorithm hath smiled down upon thee. Congratulations.

[@LadyLexyStarwatcher]

Okay, yeah, just binge watched all you vids...HI! One of your 10,000s of new subs. Well done. XD Make more vids! Also keep your intro, I love the hello. I want to like say hello back.

[@TheTimTraveller]

Helloooooo!

[@LadyLexyStarwatcher]

@@TheTimTraveller Hellooo and Salut, I am so glad to see you over 250K now! Congrats! Been on a bit of a binge watching your old videos. Might get twice the views on them if you call them vintage.

[@rahulmamtora]

You are awsome.... keep going. We are here to support you. Cheers!

[@mykul8151]

I have been there, 20 years ago. I was told it was more brilliant, but the gas lamps soot, took away much of the brilliance.

[@davidheafield1436]

I’ve been to see this twice and “fake” or not it’s still breathtaking to see the effort made to construct it wether it’s relatively modern or made in antiquity .....for £4.50 entrance who cares? One of the reasons I was given for not carbon dating the shells was that it was once gas lit that gave off a lot of smoke which in turn would have corrupted any test done on it as the shells would have absorbed the carbon in the smoke? I’d happy go and see it again if I were ever in Margate again

[@Sirmenonottwo]

Its very HP Lovecraft.

[@London755]

Looking forward to watching your channel racing past 100k subscribers.

[@smmillerseven]

Another great video, keep them coming!

[@VerboseSparrow]

Small British seaside town, hidden nautical shrine, I'm getting some serious shadow over innsmouth vibes.

[@chippysteve4524]

It was clearly built by an elusive shell company to hide offshore assets from the pilfering Pearly King.

[@benlawrence309]

And I thought I had spare time on my hands.

[@whatatypicaltime2412]

Love your channel and it glads me that more people seem to do that too. 1st world problem: I think you need to start planning for the 100K special. Lmao.

[@richardhall1667]

WhatATypicalTime This channels growing like a weed! Glad to see it.

[@Mbadly]

Aik suger

[@arturturkevych3816]

@@richardhall1667 completely agree! Bloody hell, when I subscribed recently, this channel had about 4000-5000 subscribers!

[@apophisstr6719]

I'm guessing that it was some dude who built it to impress someone he loves, but then that person rejected him and he just continues to build it out of grief until it reached spectacular level.

[@Lawveit]

The background score shifts were 🔥

[@kilvesx7924]

"There seems to have been a northern campaign to Britannia that was aborted... - ...and Roman troops ordered to collect seashells as 'spoils of the sea'. The few primary sources disagree on what precisely occurred." - Wikipedia on Emperor Caligula's interrupted invasion of Britannia some time around 40 AD. Margate is located only a couple kilometers from the romans' first landing site a hundred years prior to that.

[@EduardoEscarez]

That's so boring. Nobody need facts when you have Mexicans before any sort of related mention of Mexico! 😂

[@maunster3414]

Kilves X, thanks for the information. Very interesting.

[@doyle7877]

I live in Kent, a much nice part may I say. This is the go to attraction to bring family or friends that come to visit. I must have been there about 20 times so far.

[@petertaylor4980]

I grew up in north Kent and didn't know there was anything worth visiting in Margate. TIL.

[@detektivejarvisfuckyt]

What an impressive place i‘ve never heard of! Nice and funny video too.

[@spelcheak]

The gothic (pointed) arches rule out it being much older than when it was discovered.

[@ericjamieson]

How so? Gothic arches were popularized in the 12th century in Europe.

[@PilkScientist]

Pointed arches aren't an original european idea, they've existed for thousands of years, especially in dug-out structures. It's pretty much just the natural shape for an underground tunnel. Gothic arches are impressive because they're freestanding, which is also the real innovation the romans made with the round one. They're impressive because they're above ground, an arch underground is just the most reasonable possible cieling.

[@rjfaber1991]

@@PilkScientist Given that they all appear to be near-perfect equilateral pointed arches though, rather than simply whatever would best suit a particular span, I'd say it's more likely that they are indeed Gothic, or at least Gothic-inspired. The fact that the roof appears to be made of a continuous barrel vault rather than a set of rib vaults though, the lack of arcading on otherwise highly decorated walls, and the unnecessary thickness of the pointed arches, does make me think that whoever made this was a lot more confident in their ability to intricately decorate surfaces with seashells than they were in their ability to create complex surfaces matching the overall Gothic style.

[@richardhunter9995]

I have watched all your videos and have just now noticed the "thump" in the intro music is not a weird drum beat but your hand knocking the E off of time.

[@TheMacValk]

Great video again!

[@TuxedoPanther]

Nice video, thanks :D

[@joskleijne9344]

14C is only €300 nowadays, so that would not be a problem (and they only require a few miligrams of sample) and yet you'll probably get a date that is a bit older than the actual age when the creature died (probably 400 years if the shells are from the North Sea or Atlantic, due to old carbon that was dissolved in the ocean water). It would still allow for a far more interesting story than all those wild guesses you mentioned..

[@nishitsoni3297]

Really loved the video!

[@steverileyretired]

We have been here and it was great