Some found it charming and others thought it creepy, but all those who saw it will never forget it.
The Shell House at 137 Southbourne Overcliff Drive, Southbourne took shape 72 years ago.
The creator, George Howard, worked to create a decorative garden from shells, rocks and broken pottery.
George made no money from visitors but raised many thousands of pounds for charity.
From the 1980s, the garden was regularly vandalised and was demolished in February 2001 as a result.
During the demolition four large Pacific Ocean clamshells – worth £1,000 each – were stolen. The valuable shells were to be donated to Somerford Infant School but were never recovered.
The house itself remained with patches of shells surviving until 2003 when it was bulldozed to make way for a block of flats.
The pictures in the gallery above were taken when the Shell House garden was demolished 20 years ago this month.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel