HUNDREDS of people visited a Pontypool landmark and enjoyed the spectacular views on Bank Holiday Monday.

Just over 400 people visited the Shell Grotto and 340 visited The Folly during an open day organised by Pontypool Park Friends.

The grotto is considered to be the best surviving grotto in the country and was built as a summerhouse for the Hanbury family of ironmasters who owned Pontypool Park. It had fallen into disrepair but underwent a Heritage Lottery Restoration in the 90s.

Visitors viewed the grotto and enjoyed views from the Folly tower which has not been open to visitors for some years.

After the event, a post on the group’s Facebook page said: ‘We had 401 visitors to the Grotto and 340 to the Folly. Thank you to everyone who took the time to come along. A shame it wasn’t warmer, although the chilly wind didn’t stop many people enjoying a picnic. At the folly We asked everyone where they had come from - Poland was the farthest but there were some from Sheffield, Stratford-on-Avon and Bristol.

‘A very big thank you too to the Friends who gave their time to open these awesome buildings.’