There are few things so intrinsically linked with old-fashioned British culture as the red telephone box.
These became synonymous with paths all over the country during the 20th century but inevitably the introduction of mobile phones led to its decline from the 1980s onwards.
After decades of abandonment – with many boxes left in a derelict state – action is being taken by a local restoration company that set up the nation’s largest ‘telephone box graveyard’ in Merstham in Surrey.
Unicorn Restorations proudly restore these iconic boxes back to their former glory following a period of them rusting away.
Staff spend up to 30 hours stripping each old kiosk, repainting them in the identical shades of red once stipulated by the General Post Office and putting in new glass to complete the look, at the site just outside Redhill.
Once rejuvenated, they sell for a variety of prices ranging from just under £4,000 to as much as £20,000, with the price being higher for the older designs.
These include the three classic models of red telephone kiosk: the K2, the K6 and the K8.
The K6, which was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V’s coronation in 1935, is largely identified as THE red telephone box. 60,000 examples of these were installed across Britain, which is why the K6 has come to represent what many regard as the typical red phone box.
The classic red telephone box is a much-cherished symbol of British culture.
But inevitably, they have departed many of our local streets with more disappearing all the time. So where do they all go?
Left in a battered, rusting and flaky state, the abandoned kiosks find love once more thanks to Unicorn Restorations, who own the largest phone box graveyard in the country.
And it’s tucked away right here in Surrey.
Located near Merstham, Redhill, rows and rows of derelict red telephone boxes stand side by side at the ‘graveyard’ – which creates quite a strikingly sad image.
But rest assured these decommissioned symbols of Britain, as iconic as fish and chips or the Queen, have not been sent to die or decompose but rather they are restored back to their former glory.
Some of the revamped boxes have been placed in famous places, such as the Olympic park and Trafalgar Square, all thanks to Surrey’s expert restorers.
Scroll down for fascinating images showing the task the restorers are faced with as they attempt to rejuvenate a lost British classic.
Once rejuvenated, they sell for a variety of prices – ranging from just under £4,000, to as much as £20,000, with the price going up for the older designs.
