If you’ve ever visited London, you must have noticed the iconic red phone booths scattered across the city. These telephone boxes have become synonymous with London’s cultural heritage, and are one of the most photographed landmarks in the city. But what are these red phone booths called?
The answer is simple: they are called “K6” or “Kiosks”. The K6 is a type of telephone kiosk designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. Scott was also responsible for designing several other famous British landmarks, including Battersea Power Station and Liverpool Cathedral.
The K6 was made of cast iron and featured a domed roof with ventilation holes to prevent condensation inside the booth. It also had four large panes of glass on each side, allowing plenty of light inside while still providing privacy for those making calls. The K6 was painted bright red to make it easily visible from a distance.
Initially, there were over 60,000 K6 kiosks installed across the UK. However, as technology advanced and mobile phones became more popular, many were decommissioned and removed from service in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, only around 2,000 K6 kiosks remain in the UK.
Despite their dwindling numbers, these red phone boxes remain an important part of London’s cultural heritage. They are now protected by law as Grade II listed buildings – meaning that they cannot be taken down or moved without permission from local authorities.
In recent years, some enterprising individuals have found new uses for these iconic kiosks. Some have been turned into mini-libraries or art installations, while others have been converted into coffee stands or even tiny offices.
If you’re visiting London and want to take a photo with one of these famous landmarks, there are still plenty around – particularly in tourist hotspots like Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden. Just remember that they are still in use as working telephone boxes, so be considerate if someone is inside making a call.
In conclusion, the red phone booths in London are called K6 or Kiosks. They were designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 and have become an important part of London’s cultural heritage. While their numbers may be dwindling, they remain an iconic symbol of the city and are still in use today.