Architectural Oddities in the United Kingdom

Discover 180 architectural oddities in the United Kingdom.

Nottinghamshire, England

1960s Hyperbolic Paraboloid Gas Station Canopy

One of the earliest large-scale "hyper" roofs in the U.K. is now a derelict roadside attraction.

The entrance to the tower

Liverpool, England

Prince Rupert's Tower

This abandoned lock-up was saved because of its connection to a local football team.

Burnham-on-Sea Low Lighthouse.

Burnham-on-Sea, England

Burnham-on-Sea Low Lighthouse

The unusual stilted beacon is the town's only active lighthouse.

The mark here is across the left cheek and the brow.

Lichfield, England

Damaged Faces of Lichfield Cathedral

These medieval carvings bear scars left by Parliamentarian troops during the English Civil War.

An alien emerges from the abbey.

Paisley, Scotland

'Alien' Gargoyle

A familiar otherworldly creature guards this 12th-century Scottish abbey.

Chester Town Hall.

Chester, England

Chester Town Hall Clock Tower

The western face was supposedly left clock-less to snub the Welsh.

The more intact boat sheds.

Holy Island of Lindisfarne, England

Holy Island Boat Sheds

These upturned herring boats make nifty storage sheds for fishing goods.

The poshest Tesco.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

2 Royal Avenue

A palatial former bank building now houses what may be the poshest art venue (and former Tesco) in Belfast.

Aerial view of Lyveden New Bield.

Northamptonshire, England

Lyveden New Bield

The intended purpose of this unfinished Elizabethan building remains a mystery.

Bridge to Nowhere.

Dunbar, Scotland

Belhaven Bridge

At high tide this strange footbridge appears to have no purpose whatsoever.

Piece Hall.

Halifax, England

Piece Hall

This Georgian architectural masterpiece is the only cloth hall left in Britain.

The elaborate top of the tower.

Halifax, England

Wainhouse Tower

This tallest folly in the world began its life as an elaborate factory chimney.

Not-so-traditional village green.

Poundbury, England

Poundbury

Before 1993, this historic-looking village—King Charles III's pet project—didn’t exist at all.

London, England

The Soho Square Hut

The Tudor-style cottage in the middle of the square is not quite what it seems.

The vaulted ceiling.

Octagon Tower

A remarkable medieval structure born from a 14th-century disaster.

The vaulted wooden ceiling.

Bamburgh, England

Teak Ceiling at Bamburgh Castle

The medieval-looking hammer beam teak roof may be a Victorian vanity, but it's still absolutely magnificent.