Trifter

Britain has a rich architectural heritage  In this article I have tracked down five structures worthy of a visit. These are::

1. The tallest tower in world that rotates on its axis
2. The largest wooden structure in Europe
3. The largest dome in Britain
4. A triangular house.

1. The Glasgow Tower

Source: Wikipedia

The Glasgow Tower has the unusual property of being the tallest tower in the world that is able to rotate through 360 degrees. It was constructed in 2001 and is 127 metres high.  It is the tallest tower in Scotland.  The tower is shaped like an aerofoil so that it can turn into the wind.

The tower has been plagued by safety and engineering problems throughout its history.  It was closed between February 2002 and August 2004 due to problems with the bearings.In January 2005 ten people were trapped in the lifts for hours.

The Glasgow Tower is part of the Glasgow Science Centre. More broadly, Glasgow Science Centre is located in the Pacific Quay area which is developing as a media centre. Pacific Quay was the site of the 1988 garden festival.

2. The Dunston Staithes, Gateshead

Source: Wikipedia

The Dunston Staiths are believed to be the largest wooden structure in Europe. 

This remarkable structure, which opened in 1893, was used to load coal onto ships.  In 1980 the Dunston Staith was closed and partially dismantled.  The Dunston Staiths were restored and reopened for the Gateshead Garden Festival.  In 2002, work started on a nearby on a stylish riverside development which is known as Staiths South Bank 

The nearby Dunston Power Station which closed in 1975 has been redeveloped as the Gateshead MetroCentre, the largest shopping centre in Europe.  

3. The Buxton Dome, Derbyshire

Source: Wikipedia

Contrary to popular belief the largest dome in Britain is not in St Paul’s Cathedral, London.  It is the spa town of Buxton.  During the eighteenth century the Duke of Devonshire built an elegant octagonal stable block for 120 horses.  In 1859 the Buxton Bath Charity pursueded the Duke of Devonshire to convert part of the building into a charity hospital. In 1878 the Charity pursuaded the 7th Duke to give them the whole building.  The Charity commissioned local archetect, Robert Rippon Duke, to build a 300 bed hospital.  His product included a a dome that is over 44m in diameter (the dome at St Paul’s is only 34m in diameter). The Devonshire Royal Hospital site has since been refurbished as part of the University of Derby.

4. Rushton Triangular Lodge, Northamptonshire

Source: Wikipedia

The Triangular Lodge was designed and constructed between 1593 and 1597 as a folly by Sir Thomas Tresham.  Tresham was a Catholic who refused to accept the new  Protestant religion despite fifteen years in prison. The Lodge was his statement of his faith. The number three, representing his belief in the Trinity is everywhere.  There are three walls, with three windows on each of three floors.  The walls are 33 feet long.  There are three Latin inscriptions on each façade. Each is 33 characters long.  The principal room on each floor is hexagonal.

These are just a few of the many offbeat and unusual buildings that can be found in Britain.