THE Shell Grotto has opened to visitors as part of an initiative celebrating Wales’ best loved buildings - the first time it has opened its doors in around two decades.

The Victorian structure - adorned with thousands of shells and animal bones - gave visitors a rare glimpse inside on the weekend, in Cadw’s annual celebration of architecture and heritage called Open Doors.

Considered to be the best surviving grotto in the country, the Pontypool Park structure fell into disrepair but underwent a Heritage Lottery restoration in the nineties.

A Cadw spokesman said the Grade II listed grotto was an “amazing” building, boasting “incredible views” from its position at 700ft above sea level.

Many of the shells and bones are in the shapes of stars, hearts and diamonds.

The Friends of Pontypool Park helped to put on the weekend opening, which drew around 200 people.

Pontypool Park friend Jeannette Fry, 65, said: “Some came as far as New Zealand and Australia.

“It is absolutely stunning. It was a wonderful opportunity to see the grotto.”

The grotto was built as a summerhouse for the Hanbury family of iron masters who owned Pontypool Park.

Torfaen council said it was thought the basic structure was built for John Hanbury some time before his death in 1784.

However, the decorated grotto is believed to have been built between 1830 and 1840, according to Cadw.

The wife of John Hanbury’s son, Molly, is credited with inspiring many of these improvements including the spectacular shell decoration inside the grotto, according to the local authority.

For more information on future open days call 01495 742 333 or email ashleigh.taylor@torfaen.gov.uk.