A VICTORIAN grotto adorned with thousands of shells and animal bones will have two rare public openings next month.

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

Cadw said the Grade II listed Shell Grotto was an “amazing” building featuring thousands of shells and bones in shapes of stars, hearts and diamonds adding that it has “incredible views” from its position at 700ft above sea level.

The grotto will open alongside the Folly Tower at Pontypool Park on August 31.

The tower dating back to the 1700s was demolished during the Second World War but rebuilt in the Nineties.

Friends of Pontypool Park secretary Jeannette Fry said today: “We will also open the folly which hasn’t been open for a number of years.

“There are fantastic views from the folly. You used to be able to see seven counties from it but the boundaries have changed.”

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.

Families will be able to visit the grotto and folly for free between 11am and 3pm on August 31. Call 01495 742 333 for more information.