The Many Unusual Buildings Existing in Britain

Peculiar constructions capture everyone’s attention. Britain boasts many such unusual buildings that attract tourists as well as locals in their thousands.

Brighton Saltdean Lido

Saltdean Lido in Brighton is one such unusual building. It was declared in 1987 a Grade II listed building. Architect Richard Jones designed Brighton Saltdean Lido, and its construction got completed in 1937. Primarily the building exhibits Art Deco features. One time, the leaseholder of the building declared that he wanted to build a flat there, and people initiated protests against his idea and later, in 2011, the site claimed a location of importance (Grade II).

Preston Bus Station

Another unusual piece of architecture in Britain lies in Preston. It is the Preston bus station. The World Monuments Fund has declared the Preston Bus Station as one of the ‘Most treasured locations’ and it became a Grade II listing in 2013. Ken Hudson, a leader of the Preston City Council, wanted to demolish the bus station because he thought that it makes the city unattractive. However, in 2013, the English Heritage announced that the Bus Station should be protected from demolition.
Esso Petrol Station
Along the A6 road in Leicestershire, just after passing Red Hill, one will find yet another significant but unusual building – the Esso Petrol Station. Architect Elliot Noyes, an American modernist architect, built this circular architecture in 1960. Simon Thurley, a Chief Executive of English Heritage, recently announced that the Esso Petrol Station ‘Symbolises future aspirations of driving enthusiasts.’

Barnsley Main Colliery

Listed a Grade II building, the Barnsley Main Colliery is a location that wreaked havoc on peoples’ lives of South Yorkshire in 1866 by causing severe mine disasters. The accident killed over 360 people that led to the site to been marked historical and eventually declared a Grade II listed site. The famous historian in the mining sector, Brian Elliot highly appreciated the steps taken to protect the site for future generations to know of the historical events that occurred at the site.

Open Diving Platform in Coate Water Swindon

The Swindon Coate Water shows tourists a very historically significant diving platform. It opened to the public in 1935, and the place was later declared a Grade II listing in 2013. Architect JBL Thompson designed the open air diving platform of Swindon in Art Deco Style. The height of the open air diving platform is thirty-three feet and according to English Heritage, this is one of the four concrete diving platforms in England.

The New House

The New House in Shipton-under-Wychwood in Oxfordshire is yet another building site that falls into the category of unusual buildings. It was declared a Grade II listing site in 1998 and that included the garden of the house as well in 2012. The house is a beautiful example of the modernist architectural approach prevalent in the 1960s.