A PAIR of experts on shell houses or grottos has proclaimed Pontypool’s versions as ‘one of the best examples we have discovered’.

Husband and wife team Dr Gerald and Margaret Hull regularly tour the UK seeking out new examples of shell houses and grottos, and give talks on the subject up and down the country.

The married couple were given a tour of the Shell Grotto in Pontypool Park by the Friends of Pontypool Park group, and have now added the Torfaen structure to their website.

“We have catalogued more than 80 shell houses and grottos across the UK, but Pontypool is one of the best examples we have discovered,” said Mrs Hull.

“The structure is unique in its combination of ornamentation and full rustication, the rare fan-vaulted ceiling has an extraordinary number of original shells.

“We are delighted to add it to the list on our website, and hope that lots more people will be able to discover this hidden gem,” she added.

It is thought that the grotto in Pontypool Park was built by John Hanbury in the 1700s, but that his daughter-in-law Molly, a noted shell collector, was responsible for decorating it with the shells and bones that can be seen today in the early 1800s.

Serving the Hanbury family as a summer house, and a place to stage shooting parties and picnics, in 1882 the grotto notably hosted the then Prince of Wales who was later to be Edward VII.

Any society or group that is interested in a talk on shell houses or grottos in the UK should visit shellhouse-talks.com.

To keep up to date with the next opening days at the grotto visit the Pontypool Park Friends Facebook page.