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Shell Houses28 April 2005
Why making them is an increasingly rare skill

Shell houses and grottoes have a long and intriguing history in architecture and garden design. For the Roman Empire when they were temples to water gods, to eighteenth century England when they were a hobby for ladies with leisure time on their hands and a flare for the decorative arts.

Today working with shells is an increasingly rare skill. Blott Kerr-Wilson lives near La Rochelle in France, but she decamps with her family to work wherever her skills are needed. 

Tim Richards visited her in north Pembrokeshire where she has been restoring Cilwendeg Mansion.


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