Shell House

Shell House is a garden house or folly built around 1757 by the Houblon family. It is made from knapped and boulder flints, shells, glass fragments, and brickwork, topped with a low-pitched pantile pediment gabled roof. The original structure is a small rectangular pavilion with pedimented gables at both the front and rear. The rear was extended to the west in red brick during the 19th century.

The west front features a central semi-circular arched entrance flanked by two small flat-headed windows, all adorned with rustication and keystones that create a Serliana motif. The windows and the original door, which has fan pattern glazing in its head, contain small panes. The entrance is approached by two semi-circular stone steps, and the keystone above the door showcases an eagle-like bird with outstretched wings crafted from white shells. The pediment includes a semi-circular dummy window with radiating glazing bars made from contrasting materials. The corners of the building are accentuated with rusticated quoins of flint boulders, and each side displays a star pattern of shells radiating from a central blue glass sphere.

Inside, the house features mid-18th century wall panelling and a coved plaster ceiling, decorated with a border and motifs of shells and glass fragments, including a star design and corner quadrants with central rosettes. Attached to either side are later single-storey blocks made of red bricks with pantile roofs, each featuring three tall chimney stacks at the rear, which are of limited interest. Shell House is designated as Grade II* due to its rarity.