There are many wonderful sights to see and interesting places to explore within the UK. From the rich and rugged landscape of Ireland and the stunning green rolling hills of Wales to the coastal charms of England’s South East, when it comes to the great outdoors we are spoilt for choice.
Alongside these natural wonders are some fascinating architectural structures working in conjunction with the landscape or proudly standing out in contrast to it. Unusual oddities of design, strange and bizarre dwellings, or striking buildings that thrill, delight and inspire all at once.
Little Red House, Conwy
The first oddity on our hunt for the unusual can be found in Conwy, Wales. Stroll down the quayside and you won’t be able to miss the bright red little house tacked onto the end of a terrace that’s known as the Smallest House in Great Britain. Bizarrely, it was once home to a local fisherman who was over six foot tall – the tiny house measures just six feet in width and ten feet high!
Our 5-day break to Llandudno & Scenic Snowdonia provides the perfect escape to explore the beautiful scenery of North Wales and even includes a free excursion to Conwy, where you may be able to catch a glimpse of the Little Red House!
Portmeirion, Wales
Just an hour from Conwy sits the picturesque Welsh village of Portmeirion, which brings a flavour of the continent to the UK. Dominated by buildings designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, the village features distinctive Italian-style architecture, elegant domes and brightly coloured houses, all of which stand in contrast to Wales’ usual scenery. It was these unique properties that led to the location being used many times for the 1960s TV series, The Prisoner. ‘I am not a number; I am a free man!’
Take a trip to the unique, Italianate village of Portmeirion on our Great Little Trains of North Wales & Portmeirion break! Just imagine hearing the faint lapping of waves and admiring brightly-coloured cottages and domed buildings as you head to an authentic gelateria…no, you’re not in Italy, this is Wales!
Thin House, Kensington
Next up, we head to the capital. Most people can name The Gherkin, the distinctive skyscraper, but there are many, lesser well-known architectural oddities waiting to be discovered across London. One such place is the Thin House in South Kensington. Built in the 1880s, this utterly strange home is ridiculously skinny! A block of flats that needs to be seen to be believed and the result of unfinished demolition. With a depth of only six feet, it looks deceptively small but in fact, the 600-square-foot property is surprisingly spacious inside.
With an abundance of London coach breaks on offer, why not take a trip to the big city and visit this architectural oddity for yourself? You'll also have the option to explore London's iconic sights, shop till you drop or even see a fabulous West End musical, the choice is yours!
Brighton i360
Near the big city, it’s time to take a leisurely walk along Brighton’s seafront and prepare for a close encounter with the Brighton i360, an observation tower that rotates high in the sky at the end of the West Pier. This giant glass pod looks like it’s been designed and transported to us from the future, and at a height of 450 feet, the rotating platform is out of this world! Stylish, ultra-modern and providing a 360-degree view of Brighton, this beachfront oddity should be high on your must-see list.
Our exciting break to London, Greenwich & Brighton i360 will see us heading to Brighton and taking a trip up the 450ft high i360, where we can take in the spectacular vistas over Brighton, the South Downs and the South Coast, with views on clear days even stretching to the Isle of Wight!
Titantic Belfast
Across the water in Northern Ireland is the world’s largest Titanic experience, situated on the site where the famous ship was built. Titanic Belfast was designed by CivicArts and Todd Architects who used the hulls of four ships to make the striking façade shimmer, signalling the sheer beauty, strength and magnitude of Belfast and its place in history as one of the world’s greatest shipbuilding cities. Inside, the five-storey building holds nine galleries worth of fascinating information, original artefacts and interactive exhibitions.
Join us on our Mourne Mountains, Titanic & Giant's Causeway break, where we pay a visit to Titanic Belfast and soak up the history of this fascinating vessel, bringing the maiden voyage of the Titanic to life.
Explore the UK & Ireland's Architectural Oddities on a National Holidays Break
Are you ready to explore the UK & Ireland's many wonderful sights, fascinating architectural structures and striking buildings that thrill, delight and inspire? Browse our selection of breaks to Britain and Ireland and get your next coach getaway booked in your diary today!