Every time I pass the Forth Bridge looking resplendent in it's red oxide paint job with the best photo conditions, cloud with blue sky and a strong sun from the West. It's usually castles that catch my eye but I reckon the Forth bridge will be up near the top
Anything by Brunel... So Clifton Suspension Bridge, Paddington Station, Tunnel under the Thames, to name a few...
I’m going to come in early with a shot for Edinburgh New Town. It’s fabulous in every respect.
Hmm... Best or most picturesque?
Anything by Brunel...
Tamar rail bridge then.
Wallace monument and seeing as I've been in Edinburgh today the Scott monument
St Pancras station
Here's a couple of pictures for redmex. I've had some memorable days and nights on that bridge.
What's the best structure? All depends where I am. Having been down many tunnel shafts and seen the pick and drill marks remaining from some guy's efforts 150+ years ago is humbling.
For something more contemporary I'm going to opt for the Kylesku bridge. There's something about the sweep of it that goes well with the supports and, although it should just, it just fits so well into its surroundings.
Durham Cathedral. I'm biased because I see it most days on my way in to work, but after 25 years I still turn my head on my walk in to look at it. I also make extra effort to look out of the train window as I arrive at Durham station - one of the best station arrival views you'll ever get!
For something more contemporary I'd go with the Gateshead Millennium Bridge - both functional and stylish.
I’ve moved within a mile of Emley Moor mast and see it from my doorstep as I leave home each morning. I think it’s a wonderful design, built for function but looks all the better for it.
Around here, I’d say Maidenhead railway bridge. Thank you Brunel.
Ely Cathedral. Just the size of it and how long ago it was built.
But anything that old would get my vote.
I also really like Battersea Power Station (at least before it was tarted up). Again, functional architecture at its best. Also got a soft spot for the old US embassy in London by Eero Saarinen, though I think it’s been converted into a hotel now.
Probably not exactly in line with with original brief of the thread but two buildings that stick in the memory.
I’m a bit of a brutalist fan, so on top of a brick bridge, I give you Trellick Tower. Grade 2* listed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trellick_Tower
And for classic UK structures, bus stations - notably Preston that was almost lost. Proper design. We won’t mention Slough’s offering that burnt down and will be demolished (it was a nice design though). And London Underground stations too.
Le Chunnel
Maeshowe chambered tomb, Orkney.
As above, Kylesku bridge, Durham cathedral and Emley moor mast are wonderful.
Oh and while tired is on a brutallist trip, the barbican centre.
Thames barrier
Elizabeth line
Emley mast getting a lot of love😁 I can see it from my bedroom if it’s not raining would love to see it lit up ⬆️ it’s an impressive lump close up too
The Menai Suspension Bridge is pretty cool.
The Menai Suspension Bridge is pretty cool.
Yep, it's great! Although I did struggle to walk over it - I don't usually have a problem with heights but for some reason me and the bridge didn't get along 🤣
Emley mast getting a lot of love😁 I can see it from my bedroom if it’s not raining would love to see it lit up ⬆️ it’s an impressive lump close up too
I grew up (Shelley) and went to school near it (Shelley High School/Skelmanthorpe)
Can I suggest the section of the Heads of The Valleys road, the A465, as it passes through the Clydach Gorge. Amazing engineering in a stunning location. The bridges, viaducts and cuttings all designed to reflect the geology, landscape and post industrial ground through which it passes.
I'm partial to a bit of maritime engineering, we are an island nation after all.
Bell rock lighthouse, although never been close up. Lighthouses in general.
Whitby harbour, something pleasing about it's symmetry.
Always liked the Thames flood barrier.
Lancaster Services.
Angel of the North.
Do you mean Forton?
Bloomin eck, if that makes the mark then I'm going to have to stick up for Blackpool tower and the building beneath containing the ballroom 😜
Paddington station, the Elan valley dams, the oil rigs in the Cromarty firth, Llangollen canal aquaduct.
Skara Brae.
The Gherkin
Beaumaris Castle
The London Sewers
(with +1s for The Barbican, Ely Cathedral and The Forth Bridge)
Something on Rousay, probably Midhowe Broch. Or my shed.
I’ve always loved Calatrava’s Trinity Footbridge over the Irwell in Manchester. I used to live in Trinity and it was a lovely way to walk to work. It’s such a beautiful thing.
I always think there's something special about multiples of structures with different functions, so I give you....
The Runcorn railway and Jubilee road bridges and Conwy Castle and North Wales main line.
The Union Canal 32 miles on the same contour no locks except for 2 at the Falkirk Wheel
I like some of the more unusual stuff and the stories that go with it that so few people know about.
So I'm going the "Power from the Glens" project of the 1960's that had such a huge and ongoing impact on the Highlands.
While the dams and power stations are the visible part, the huge network of underground aqueducts is the really interesting part. There are stories of the tunnel tigers digging half mile tunnels from each end and where they met being less than 1/2" out in any direction.....and this was halfway up mountains. Today all you can see are some gated entrances, a few areas where pipe or aqueduct breaks the surface, and a steady source of electricity (iirc abot 10% of Scotland's electricity needs).
Well worth a read.
https://www.pitlochrydam.com/exhibitions/power-from-the-glens/
https://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/title/dam-builders-power-glens/author/jim-miller/
