Brutal Beauty: A guide to my 5 favourite Brutalist buildings in Bristol
- Elin Horgan
- May 5
- 4 min read
As a jewellery designer, I delight in taking inspiration from the most unexpected places. I love wandering around the city with my sketchbook and camera, observing everything from the shapes of doors or windows to the patterns on drain covers. Nothing is too mundane to be inspired by in my opinion!
I’m fascinated by clean lines and shapes and it’s no secret that my work is heavily influenced by architecture. My recent Arco collection, for example, is based on the shapes and forms found in Classical architecture from Greek & Roman times. However, I also love modern buildings too, in particular the raw, concrete charm of Brutalism. My hometown of Bristol boasts several fantastic examples of this bold architectural style that emerged in the mid-20th century and today I'm sharing my top five Brutalist buildings in Bristol that inspire my creative process.
I hope that even if you’re not a fan of the Brutalist style you’ll come round to seeing how these seemingly harsh structures possess a unique beauty.
1) Clifton Cathedral
This absolute gem, nestled in the heart of Clifton and built in the early 1970s, was always going to head up my list as it’s one of my all- time favourite buildings.
From the outside it can cause quite a visceral reaction in people who find Brutalism ugly and unrefined, but peek inside and you’re instantly transported to a world of light and calm. Photos do not do this place justice so do visit it if you can. It’s as close to a spiritual experience that a heathen like me is going to get!
The shafts of light that beam down from the spire and the marrying of warm natural wood with concrete that has been moulded with wood grain delivers a beautiful effect. And don’t forget to check out the amazing stained glass windows next to the entrance. If you plan well you can pop in between masses on a Sunday and even get a bit of history from the volunteers. Go take a look, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
2) Prince Street Car Park
Yep, that’s right. Number two on the list is a car park, but what a car park it is! Sitting on Prince Street and with one side opening out on to Narrow Quay and the Harbourside, its eye-catching diamond façade is hard to miss. The V shaped concrete pilotis underneath echo this diamond pattern and add a little lightness to the overall feel of the building.
I took the photo above on a cold and sunny day, when it’s at its best in my opinion. There’s something about that bright blue sky as a background that really makes the white concrete pop.
3) Cheese Lane Shot Tower
Another fine example of the Brutalist style, standing tall and proud against the Bristol skyline, is the Cheese Lane shot tower. Built at the end of the 60s, it was a replacement for the previous tower which had been constructed in 1782 and was the first of its kind in the world. Bristolian William Watts had developed the process of making lead shot by dropping molten lead it from a height (rather than casting it in moulds which was more expensive) and extended his house to incorporate the original tower.
This elegant replacement, with a dodecagonal (so glad I got to use that word!) room at the top, was finished in 1969 and awarded Grade II listing status by Historic England in 1995. It seems to currently be in use as offices, but the website address listed on the side of tower doesn’t exist and sadly there’s no public access to the building at the moment.
4) Plimsoll Swing Bridge Tower
Our next stop is the excellently named Plimsoll Swing Bridge which spans the Cumberland Basin at the end of Bristol harbour as it heads out into the River Avon. Finished in 1965, as a replacement for Brunel's nearby Swivel Bridge, it features a stark concrete control tower which looms over drivers who cross it and is reached by a steep flight of steps. Pedestrian access from the underpass below is via a couple of visually pleasing elegant spiral staircases.
5) Rupert Street Car Park
Ok, ok, it’s another car park for my final choice and granted, at first look this one ticks all the boxes for unambitious municipal architecture. But bear with me…
On closer inspection, you notice that it a rather unusual elongated geometrical shape. However, that’s not the only unusual thing about this building. Inside, the car park is actually one long continuous ramp that spirals around each level, a major innovation at the time when it was built. Personally, I think the real magic happens when you walk underneath it. The ridges in the white ceiling on each floor become visible and give this blocky brute it a totally different feel – almost like looking at the underside of a geometric mushroom!
There are currently plans to demolish it and redevelop the site, no doubt into some more uninspiring beige flats. What a shame for such an iconic structure.
I know that Brutalism isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I really love the honesty of materials, bold geometric forms, and the interplay of light and shadow of these buildings and structures. Next time you're walking through Bristol, I encourage you to look up and appreciate these often-overlooked architectural treasures. They serve as an excellent reminder that beauty that can be found in the most unexpected places.
Further reading:
Clifton Catherdal: https://cliftoncathedral.org/
Cheese Lane Shot Tower: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheese_Lane_Shot_Tower
Brutalism in Bristol: https://thespoonsterspouts.com/observations/bristol-brutalism/
Elin Horgan designs and creates handmade jewellery in her Bristol studio. Elin’s beautifully simple handmade jewellery is carefully crafted and designed to be worn every day. You can read more about Elin’s work and the ethos behind her understated jewellery brand on her About Elin Horgan Jewellery page.
If you’d like to enquire about a specific product or discuss a custom piece of jewellery, please have a look at the Bespoke Handmade Jewellery page or email info@elinhorgan.com
