10 of the most unusual car parks in the UK
The UK boasts unique structures, stunning scenery and haunting historical buildings - some of which just happen to be car parks. We have teamed with online car park marketplace YourParkingSpace to uncover the ten most unusual car parks in the UK.
Take a look at our interactive map to see where in the UK you can find these car parks.
10. Hampton Loade car park, Shropshire
This National Trust car park is located in the picturesque riverside village of Hampton Loade. The small parking space has its own pedestrian river ferry, which carries passengers across the River Severn - popular amongst walkers and countryside lovers.
9. QEMC car park, Birmingham
This car park is part of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and is exclusively for staff from the hospital. The space has strikingly unusual architecture, with an exterior made of a combination of wood, glass, steel and stone.
8. B4 Car Park, Birmingham
This is one of the most high-tech car parks in the country. B4 position themselves as providing a ‘parking experience’ with ticketless payment and a membership scheme.
7. Moor Street car park, Birmingham
This structure is the most eye-catching in Birmingham, winning seven industry awards the year after its completion. The building houses a car park and the high-end store Selfridges as part of the Bullring shopping mall. The unique facade comprises 15,000 anodised aluminium discs mounted on a blue background, resembling the intricate effect of a beehive.
6. Culloden Moor car park, Inverness
This small, remote space in the hills outside of Inverness is considered the most haunted car park in the UK. The parking is located on Culloden Moor, the site of the last battle fought on British soil in 1745 which is why it has such a spooky moniker.
5. Duncansby Head car park, John O’Groats
This is the the most north-easterly car park in the British mainland, situated slightly northeast of John o’ Groats. By the small car park there is a picturesque lighthouse and amazing natural sea stacks. On a clear day visitors will also be able to see the tall sandstone cliffs of Orkney.
4. Millennium Point multi-story car park, Birmingham
The city council used Perspex Frost to create this striking landmark. The year following the building’s completion it was named ‘Best New Car Park’ in the British Parking Awards thanks to its unique panelling design that glows blue at night.
3. Brewer Street car park, London
Built in 1929, this striking art deco building is nestled right in the centre of Soho on Brewer Street.The building has showcased collections from high profile designers such as Henry Holland, Richard Nicoll and Antonio Berardi. It was also the official home of London Fashion Week in 2015.
2. Castle Car Park, York
Clifford’s Tower - the largest remaining part of York Castle - sits atop a large grass mound and is partly surrounded by this open air city-centre car park. It might not be around for much longer though, as there are plans for it to be moved to better suit the historic surroundings.
1. Q-Park Charles Street, Sheffield
Commonly known as the ‘cheese grater’ because of its striking metallic exterior, this is the UK’s most uniquely designed car park. In 2013 it was named ‘the third coolest in the world’ by a car parking company and a design magazine, beating thousands of other amazing structures around the globe.
