Architectural Oddities in the United Kingdom

Discover 171 architectural oddities in the United Kingdom.

Salisbury, England

High Street Gate

This gate served as a small lock-up jail in the 14th century.

Old Alresford, England

Alresford Eel House

A rare example of a building constructed specifically for catching eels.

Newchapel, Wales

Cilwendeg Shell House Hermitage

This magical grotto is adorned with a complex pattern of native seashells, minerals, and fragments of colored glass.

Birmingham, England

Birmingham Back to Backs

A collection of historic buildings in central Birmingham blend seamlessly into the cityscape but have an interesting story to tell.

Birmingham, England

Library of Birmingham

The largest public library in the United Kingdom was designed to reflect the industrial and artistic history of the city where it stands.

Faringdon, England

The Faringdon F.U.N. and Folly Tower

The eccentricities of a former lord include painted pigeons of his manor house, a series of pointless plaques, and a folly built simply to peeve the public.

Portnahaven, Scotland

Portnahaven Church

According to local legend, this church was built with two doors, so that residents of two rival villages had their own entrances.

Warrington, England

Warrington Transporter Bridge

Hidden behind an industrial area, this is one of the very few such transporter bridges in existence.

Inside one of the massive chambers

Bristol, England

Clifton Suspension Bridge Vaults

Cathedral-like Victorian vaults are hidden within this iconic bridge.

Glasgow, Scotland

Hutchesons' Hall Statues

A brother statue swap has adorned this building's facade for centuries.

Burgh Saint Peter, England

The Tower of St Mary's Church

The story behind this uniquely-shaped tower involves ancient empires, local legends, and new words.

Bowmore Round Church

Bowmore, Scotland

Bowmore Round Church

This remote Scottish island has the only round church in the nation.

The Atom Panopticon

Laneshawbridge, England

The Atom Panopticon

This round structure dotted with portals is one of several pieces scattered throughout Lancashire.

Liverpool Philharmonic Dining Rooms toilets

Liverpool, England

Toilets at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms

These rose marble urinals are the most luxurious loos in Liverpool.

Lavenham, England

Suffolk's Pink and Crooked Houses

The historic villages and towns of Suffolk are filled with wonky wooden beam houses painted an unusual shade of pink. Unknown to many though, this sweet shade has a bloody history.

Interior of 575 Wandsworth

London, England

575 Wandsworth Road

What started as a way to address damp basement walls turned into a house filled with intricate hand-carved designs.