When you think of Britain’s great architectural wonders, Buckingham Palace and the Shard building might spring to mind. While it’s true the Big Smoke has architecture aplenty, don’t ignore the rest of the country – there are amazing architectural gems to be uncovered in England’s northern cities.
The next time you’re taking a drive up to Scotland or checking into one of the many central hotels in Liverpool, why not take a quick detour and uncover some of Blighty’s best-loved architecture…
Angel of the North
The iconic Angel of the North statue is a favourite for passengers travelling up and down the East Coast Main Line just past Newcastle, as well as the A1 and A167 roads into Tyneside. Designed by Antony Gormley and standing some 20 metres tall, the steel sculpture has a wingspan of 54 metres a price tag of £1 million. The sculpture’s significance is threefold; it marks a site where coal miners worked for more than two centuries, represents the transition from the industrial to information age, and is a symbol to the evolving hopes and fears of the people who see it.
The Angel of the North. Gateshead, UK
Royal Liver Building
The Liverpool skyline would scarcely be the same without the stunning Royal Liver Building. One of the city’s ‘Three Graces’ which line the waterfront, the building opened in 1911 and was the tallest in Europe until 1934. The building is home to the Liver Birds, the two fabled creatures that watch over the city – legend says that if the birds ever flew away the city would cease to exist.
Royal Liver Building, Liverpool, UK
The Lowry
When it comes to modern, contemporary architecture, there are few better examples than those found in Manchester. The cityscape is an effortless blend of old and new – and The Lowry at Salford Quays is perhaps one of the most impressive examples of 21st century design. Opened in 2000, the Lowry is home to the largest stage in Britain outside of London, and was part of an ambitious regeneration plan to bring new life to the Manchester Docks. Today, the performing arts centre is a hub of culture in the city both inside and out.
Leeds Town Hall
Built in 1858, Leeds Town Hall is a symbol of the rapid growth in the city and was the home of municipal departments, a courtroom and police station. More than 150 years later and the building is still one of the most significant in the city; today, it’s a venue for concerts and civil functions, as well as the Leets International Film Festival.
Leeds Town Hall, UK
