Make sure your volume is on: "Sir George talks about the Shell House"
Show transcript
Aha, the Shell House – this is one of my favourites. You probably recognise the general design… go on, you know you’ve seen it before somewhere … it’s on the tip of your tongue… CHICHESTER!
It is a miniature version of the old Chichester Cross, that marvellous Gothicky structure by the old market in the middle of town. I do like a bit of English Gothic, as you may have noticed with my library building back at the house.
So when I bought this estate, and had the main road rerouted and all that, my clever architect Mr. Lewis Vuliamy designed a tiny little version of the Chichester Cross for me, with a patterned pebble path and walls decorated with shells picked up from the beach at Hayling Island. At least I think that’s where they picked them – I have people to do that sort of thing for me, obviously, I’m far to busy and important to go shell collecting!
If we had more time I’d take you inside and show you some of the collection of curiosities I keep in there. I’ve got Roman pottery, and some of that modern stuff by Mr. Wedgewood, and various minerals, and a small stuffed crocodile and a sea hedgehog – one of those spiky things, what’s the other word for them… ANEMONIES! – rather delicate but very interesting. But another time, perhaps.