please empty your brain below
Brutalism gets a bad press - especially from town planners, who do not wish to discriminate between good and bad buildings. Brutalism = bad is the formula. As such, buildings of merit from that era are being eradicated, and replaced with post-post-modern identikit retail-sheds. I recommend Jonathan Meades' two part documentary on Bruatlism and contemporary town-scape architecture, whether you're a fan or not of the idiom.

Burntweenie | 08.03.19 - 7:13 a.m. | #

The moment you said hang in there for the last one, I hoped this was coming...

the orange one | 08.03.19 - 8:03 a.m. | #

A town I have driven through 50+ times, and never stopped - ever!

Just once, I looked at the map to drive through the brutalist bit rather than take only two/three lane stretch past the fire station situated betwixt two of its many many roundabouts. This was due to the pending redevelopment, and I found it hard to take in the mishmash of styles, causing me to get lost, but just the once.

My better and better half hates roundabouts so I traverse it less and less nowadays, however, she loves very old pubs, so gotcher!

Ken | 08.03.19 - 8:25 a.m. | #

I am in need of a new handbag. Perhaps I ought to pay a visit.

Cornish Cockney | 08.03.19 - 9:39 a.m. | #

I'm not sure that I agree with you about the extension to the Bull, DG. I much prefer this to a mock mediaeval extension. Inside it is very impressive with a high timber framed roof. I do agree that a 14th century building is incongruous surrounded by the newly built town centre.

The Wetherspoon pub is another fine building which I remember in a previous incarnation as a Berni Inn steakhouse.

Bracknell's loss is the wholesale demolition of most of its original town centre in the 60s. Other new towns like Basingstoke were similarly treated.

Martin | 08.03.19 - 10:35 a.m. | #

I think the locals should really thank you for insightfully introduce their district.

Easthampstead being way to the west of Hampstead. Brilliant.

Patrickov | 08.03.19 - 12:13 p.m. | #

Dorian Bracknell?

Sarah | Homepage | 08.03.19 - 12:46 p.m. | #

If Caesar got a denarius for every Camp he supposedly pitched... well, it could make for a good theme for a future gadabout series, though.

I knew someone who once lived in the woods off Nine Mile Ride. Lovely spot; happy memories.

NickW | Homepage | 08.03.19 - 2:14 p.m. | #

I used to live up the road from Picket Post Close and would walk past on the way to Tescos. It wasn't unusual to see people - often Chinese - walking around taking photos, and nearly getting run over because there isn't a footpath. The street was also used in the fifth film for a short scene.

Jimbo | 08.03.19 - 6:01 p.m. | #

Swinley Forest was also a Harry Potter location, with the film crew camped out near where Go Ape is for months.

martxw | 09.03.19 - 12:39 a.m. | #











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