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AIBU?

To think that Guildford Cathedral is as ugly as fuck?

34 replies

MintyChapstick · 11/06/2016 16:37

Just that really.

Came across as photo of it recently and was gobsmacked at its ugliness. It's made of brick rather than stone and is all angular and square, in fact it looks more like a power station or a warehouse than a cathedral. You can tell it was built in the 20th Century, and yes I know the War disrupted things but you'd think theyd have made a bit more effort with it wouldn't you?

I think old cathedrals are a think of beauty and splendour but this is just hideous isn't it?

To think that Guildford Cathedral is as ugly as fuck?
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EatShitDerek · 11/06/2016 16:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

awfullyproper · 11/06/2016 16:40
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Laiste · 11/06/2016 16:45

Well, while i agree that personally i too prefer the highly decorated gothic style cathedrals, you have answered your own question: It is a product of it's time. Nothing these days is being built like they used to in the late 1200s Grin

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bruffin · 11/06/2016 16:47

My ds lives directly under it and i am getting quite fond of it really. May go and look inside one day.
I took this from the castle last week and it is very imposing on top of the hill. I prefer paddys wigwam for a odern cathedral

To think that Guildford Cathedral is as ugly as fuck?
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MintyChapstick · 11/06/2016 16:48

I agree Laiste but then you have Truro cathedral which is late 19th Century and stunning.

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x2boys · 11/06/2016 16:50

I was going to say its not as ugly as paddys wigwam bruffinGrin

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RustyBear · 11/06/2016 17:05

A friend of mine works there; she says it's a lot better inside than out...

kateshrewsday.com/2015/11/06/the-church-a-world-away/

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fanjolamps · 11/06/2016 17:07

Its lovely inside though, very grand. I graduated there.

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TheNewSchmoo · 11/06/2016 17:08

See Glasgow's, looked in need of a damn good scrub. Very disappointing.

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florascotianew · 11/06/2016 17:08

Of course medieval cathedrals are amazing and wonderful, but there is a school of thought which says that buildings that reflect their times are more 'honest' than pale imitations of earlier designs. Guildford Cathedral (not completed until 1961) deliberately aimed to reflect 20th cent building styles and techniques.

IMHO, the interior is absolutely stunning, anyway: elegant, spacious, clean-lined, full of light.
Lovely photos here: alastairphilipwiper.com/blog/guildford-cathedral-england

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mummytime · 11/06/2016 17:12

YABU it is in a modernist brutal style, and wonderful inside (although not so much at present as its full of scaffolding and having asbestos removed). It is "the people's cathedral" and whilst not the most obviously attractive, it was built to an award winning design and is a lively vibrant place. It is used by all sectors of the community and is a very active "church".
Today there was a tea party for the Queen, a charity abseil as well as the building works.

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Purplepicnic · 11/06/2016 17:17

It is ugly but since the Exorcist, link above, has become downright awful. It's sort of on a hill by itself as well, which doesn't help.

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Purplepicnic · 11/06/2016 17:18

The Omen, not the Exorcist. Getting my devil children mixed up Wink

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MaudGonneMad · 11/06/2016 17:21

Brutalist. I quite like it.

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Noodledoodledoo · 11/06/2016 17:21

It grows on you - walked past it every day for 3 years at uni, graduated in there as well.

Inside is much better.

Also the bricks were funded in the 1950's/60's by local people donating a penny each to buy a brick. My dad owns one!

Have also had the opportunity to walk up to the top of the tower and stand just under the angel. The scariest thing in the world when the fog used to come down and she would poke out of the top of it!

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FloellaDaVille · 11/06/2016 17:28

I also went to university there, did lots of concerts inside and graduated there. It's bright and airy inside and I came to really love the starkness of its exterior. Spooky on a dark windy night though. The cleverest thing about it is it appears to jump across the road as you approach on the southbound A3 :)

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MintyChapstick · 11/06/2016 17:39

Glasgow cathedral is a bit dirty, but nothing a good sand blast wouldnt sort out.

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Exhausthasgone · 11/06/2016 17:48

Looks nice at night. I lived at the bottom of the hill for a couple of years as a student.

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NapoleonsNose · 11/06/2016 17:55

I like its starkness, the angularity and modernness. I have family who live nearby and it always reminds me of happy family Christmases - it has a cross on the top that they light up. My late DF also has a brick inside as well.

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OlennasWimple · 11/06/2016 17:59

That turban in the Omen clip is also very much of its time 😄

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BrendaFurlong · 11/06/2016 19:18

I rather like it, but then I also like the new colleges at Oxford and Cambridge, that manage to capture the spirit of the medieval foundations while using modern lines and materials.

Coventry Cathedral is also beautiful (although doesn't Victoria Wood have a joke about wandering in thinking it's a branch of Habitat?)

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raviolidreaming · 11/06/2016 19:21

OP, YANBU! The angel irritates me every time I drive past - it's far too small for the size of the building.

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Toddlerteaplease · 11/06/2016 19:35

Omg I love paddy's wigwam. Not keen on the Anglican cathedral in Liverpool though. It's way to big.

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MintyChapstick · 11/06/2016 20:06

Yes, Liverpool Anglican is also a bit of a monstrosity, that's a 20th a century Cathedral as well.

I like Coventry though, inside it's beautiful.

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Toddlerteaplease · 11/06/2016 20:25

Yes I like Coventry as well. Nottingham has a gem of a cathedral by AWN Pugin. That hardly anyone knows about. Even the locals!

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