List of tallest destroyed buildings and structures in the United Kingdom facts for kids
This article is about some of the tallest buildings and structures in the United Kingdom that are no longer standing. These are buildings that were either taken down on purpose or destroyed by things like bombings or fires.
This list only includes structures that stood on their own, like towers or office buildings. It doesn't include things like tall radio masts that are held up by wires, or smaller buildings. We're focusing on structures that were taller than 80 meters (about 262 feet). Since the late 1990s, around 200 buildings taller than 50 meters (about 164 feet) have been taken down across the UK, but we're looking at the really tall ones!
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Tallest Destroyed Buildings in the UK
New Brighton Tower
The New Brighton Tower was once the tallest structure in the UK to be taken down. It stood in New Brighton, Merseyside and was a huge Observation tower. Finished in 1900, it reached an amazing height of 173 meters (568 feet)!
Sadly, the tower wasn't looked after well during World War I. It became unsafe for people to visit. Because of this, it was carefully taken apart between 1919 and 1921.
Southwark Towers
Located in Southwark, London, Southwark Towers was an office building that stood 100 meters (328 feet) tall. It was built in 1976.
In 2009, this building was taken down to make space for a new, much taller building called The Shard. When The Shard was finished in 2012, it became the tallest building in the UK and the European Union, reaching 309.6 meters (1,016 feet).
Drapers' Gardens
Another tall office building in the City of London, Drapers' Gardens was 99 meters (325 feet) high. It was completed in 1967.
This building was taken down in 2007 as part of a big project to rebuild and improve the financial area of the City of London. A new office building, which is 75 meters (246 feet) tall, now stands in its place.
Great Wheel
The Great Wheel was a giant Ferris wheel located in Kensington and Chelsea, London. It was built in 1895 and reached a height of 94 meters (308 feet).
This impressive wheel was part of an event called the Empire of India Exhibition at Earls Court. However, it didn't make enough money, so it was eventually taken down in 1907.
20 Fenchurch Street (Old Building)
The previous building at 20 Fenchurch Street in the City of London was an office block built in 1968. It was 92 meters (302 feet) tall.
This building was demolished in 2008. A new, much taller building now stands there. The new 20 Fenchurch Street, which is 160 meters (525 feet) tall, was finished in 2014 and is often called 'The Walkie Talkie' because of its unique shape.
Glasgow Empire Exhibition Tower
The Glasgow Empire Exhibition Tower was an Observation tower built in Glasgow, Scotland, for the Empire Exhibition at Bellahouston Park. It was 91 meters (299 feet) tall and completed in 1938.
Sadly, this tower only stood for a short time. As World War II was about to begin, people worried that the tower could be used as a landmark by enemy bombers. Because of these safety concerns, it was taken down in 1939.
World Trade Centre (London)
The World Trade Centre in Tower Hamlets, London, was an office building completed in 1991. It stood 89 meters (292 feet) tall.
In 1996, the building was badly damaged by a bombing incident. A large part of its structure was later used to build a Hilton hotel, which opened in 2008. The original World Trade Centre building was fully removed by 2004.
21 Birnie Court (Red Road Flats)
Located in Glasgow, Scotland, 21 Birnie Court was a residential building. It was 89 meters (292 feet) tall and built in 1969.
This building was the tallest apartment block to be demolished in the UK. It was part of a large housing complex known as the Red Road Flats. It was taken down in 2013.
Crystal Palace Towers
The Crystal Palace in Bromley, London, was a famous glass and iron structure. It had two tall observation towers, the North Tower and the South Tower, both 86 meters (282 feet) tall, completed in 1852.
In 1936, a huge fire destroyed most of the main Crystal Palace building. However, the two towers survived! But like the Glasgow Empire Exhibition Tower, they were taken down in 1939. This was because people worried they could be used as markers for enemy bombers during World War II.
Manchester Assize Courts
The Manchester Assize Courts in Manchester, Lancashire, was a grand Court building. It was 80 meters (262 feet) tall and finished in 1864.
This beautiful building was severely damaged during World War II. The damage was so bad that it couldn't be repaired, and it was eventually demolished in 1957. Designed by a famous architect named Alfred Waterhouse, it is often remembered as one of the UK's most impressive "lost" buildings.
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