West Country Modernism
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westcountrymodern.bsky.social
West Country Modernism
@westcountrymodern.bsky.social
330 followers 180 following 740 posts
A journey around mid century modernist buildings in the West Country. By @magslhalliday.bsky.social

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westcountrymodern.bsky.social
Thank you for suggesting!
November 28, 2025 at 12:56 PM
westcountrymodern.bsky.social
See? TARDIS. There are some 1973 photos of it as a library in the deep dive (just £3/month to subscribe for full access).

buttondown.com/WestCountryM...
Colour photo of an octagonal interior space. The open plan space has been filled with mismatched vintage furniture. But the real focus is of the wood-lined ceiling and the octagonal concrete ring that holds it in place. Above the ring is an equally octagonal lantern that is letting in light. Suspended below the lantern are scores of orange lampshades with fringing.
November 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
westcountrymodern.bsky.social
"The existing passenger lift is a notable highlight, as the planning permission does not allow for such an addition."

You are not going to get retroactive planning permission for that, or for the underground pool.
November 27, 2025 at 10:50 PM
westcountrymodern.bsky.social
Take an ogle at her riah, though! Well naff.
November 27, 2025 at 3:41 PM
westcountrymodern.bsky.social
One for @seasideferry.bsky.social, @seasidenetwork.bsky.social and @artdecosocuk.bsky.social as well as @municipaldreams.bsky.social I think!
November 27, 2025 at 10:16 AM
westcountrymodern.bsky.social
And we’re done. Nailsea and then the archives in Taunton.
The 1930s Hi Point building next to Taunton station. It’s three storeys but the ground floor is hidden by a fence. It’s moderne, with a large curved corner facing the road and a stepped back corner containing the stairs. The sole decorative detail - a horizontal double line emerging from a diamond and running across the building - is picked out in dark blue. The squarish windows glow gold with the sunset.
November 20, 2025 at 5:27 PM
westcountrymodern.bsky.social
How to know I’m at the most north-easterly edge of the area I cover.
A railway sign bolted to a grey metal wall on a platform and beneath a deep blue sky. The sign says “Platform 2 for trains to Bristol, London and The North”.
November 20, 2025 at 12:25 PM
westcountrymodern.bsky.social
Thank you!

I only knew to look up at the Burton’s building because Pevsner says “elephants!” about it.
November 14, 2025 at 7:39 AM
westcountrymodern.bsky.social
buttondown.com/WestCountryM...

2/2
Photo of elephant head capitals on some columns. Text reads: Now a Costa Coffee, this is a stunning Burtons from the very brief period when company architect Harry Wilson threw elephants at everything. Often when someone says a building is Art Deco I look at it and think "hmm, more like moderne". It feels like the term "Deco" is increasingly disconnected from the "decorative" element. Then Wilson throws everything in the pattern book at a A hulkingly large old 1930s cinema. Text reads: Oscar Deutsch Entertained Our Nation, once Built as an ODEON this is a huge building now run by Merlin Cinemas. It's made up of large masses, with a rather wild tower and a run of shops along its western elevation. Like many giant 1930s cinemas it also has sense of having been built for crowds who are no longer around. A 1953 flyer for the reopening of a department store. Email text reads: Walker and Ling is a small department store originally opening in Bath in 1892. By 1939, their Weston store had over 100 staff. During the 1942 raids, their store was ruined. By 1953 they had rebuilt enough to reopen the ground floor with its "bra bar" Text in the flyer reads: Walker& ling ANNOUNCE THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THEIR NEW BUILDING AND WILL OPEN MONDAY NEXT, OCTOBER 5TH DUE TO ENEMY ACTION- -we have, for the past eleven years, boon carrying on our business in temporary promises of a very inadequate nature. Whilst always endeavouring to give you our closest personal attention, we have been greatly handicapped by lack of space. We hope now to give you that same attention and servico in more pleasant surroundings, which will bo gradually expandod as building licencos pormit. Pleaso pay us a visit. ALL DEPARTMENTS NOW ON GROUND FLOOR OPEN DURING THE LUNCH HOUR REGULAR DELIVERIES TO COUNTRY DISTRICTS WE WELCOME ENQUIRIES AND ORDERS BY POST OR TELEPHONE A SPECIAL FEATURE IS OUR NEW "BRA-BAR"
November 13, 2025 at 7:12 PM