Some of England’s Greatest Chimneys

A photographic catalogue of some of England’s most magnificent chimneys, chimney stacks and vents.

Lutyens, Deanery Garden, Berkshire, 1901. Image Source

I’ve always had a strange fascination with chimneys. Chimney stacks, chimney pots, ventilation ducts, you name it.

There’s something very special about the utilitarian by-products of essential building services like heating being celebrated within the overall appearance of the building.

The chimney was at some point so ubiquitous with the exterior appearance of the home (ask any child to draw a house and you will understand what I mean), that its value as a compositional element was often overlooked. The thought process up until the invention of gas and electric central heating was that all homes need heat, therefore all homes need a fireplace, therefore all homes need a chimney of some description. The design approach to some chimneys resembled the familiar process of addition that we see today with vents, flues and air-conditioning boxes, strapped the the sides of buildings like this:-

Photograph by Author

Some of the most special chimney designs in my opinion are those which utilise building services as the defining part of a building’s primary composition and thereby the defining essence of its character.

The unique scale and presence of some of the older red brick chimneys pays tribute to the importance given to the fireplace within the home. Indeed, the etymology of the word fireplace originally stems from the Latin ‘focus,’ which explains the historic association with locating the hearth at the epicentre of the plan of a dwelling.

In a nod to this origin, each of the images below position the chimney (or more commonly in recent years, the vent) once again at the focal point of the composition, though this time not represented through the plan, but through the lens of a camera.

Here’s a snippet from my personal catalogue of what I consider to be England’s best chimneys. Undoubtedly I have missed out many great chimneys, so if you can think of one to challenge this list, I welcome you to do so.

Lutyens, Tigbourne Court, Surrey, 1901. Image Source

Voysey, Winsford Cottage Hospital, Devon, 1899. Image Source

Voysey, Norney Grange, Shackleford, 1897. Image Source

(Left) Earlier decorative chimneys of Hampton Court Palace, various dates, Image Source (Right) Later additions post 1800. Image Source

Rogers, Stirk, Harbour + Partners, 88 Wood Street Vents, London, 1990–99 Image Source

Edward Ould, Wightwick Manor, West Midlands, 1887. Image Source

Sir Terry Farrell, Blackwall Tunnel Vents, London, 1964–67, Image Source

Fred Didnah (who shared my passion for chimneys), Fred’s mother’s house, Bolton, 1955. Image Source

Previously — It’s Perfect at the Palace! & Why my Toaster will Last Longer than Your House