The UK is home to some of the most fascinating and eccentric sculptures in the world. From towering giants to whimsical artworks that defy explanation, here are five of the strangest sculptures across the country that you absolutely need to see:
1. The Angel of the North (Gateshead)
While it’s one of the most famous sculptures in the UK, its appearance is undeniably unusual. Standing at 66 feet tall with a wingspan of 177 feet, this rusty, steel angel by Antony Gormley is a striking presence against the northern skyline. Its sheer size and industrial appearance make it both awe-inspiring and a little bizarre.
2. The Kelpies (Falkirk, Scotland)
These colossal horse-head sculptures, designed by Andy Scott, rise 100 feet above the landscape. The Kelpies are inspired by Scottish folklore and pay homage to the powerful working horses that once pulled barges along the canals. Their gleaming, metallic surfaces are impressive, but their scale and fierce expressions make them eerily surreal.
3. Dream (St. Helens, Merseyside)
This ethereal, elongated head designed by Jaume Plensa is 66 feet tall and resembles a serene face lost in deep meditation. Its smooth, white surface gives it a ghostly, otherworldly quality that feels strangely hypnotic and somewhat unsettling when viewed from a distance.
4. Verity (Ilfracombe, Devon)
Created by Damien Hirst, this 66-foot-tall bronze sculpture depicts a pregnant woman holding a sword aloft. But that’s not all — one side of her body is stripped away to reveal her skull, muscles, and developing foetus. It’s part classical beauty, part anatomical study, and wholly unsettling.
5. Another Place (Crosby Beach, Liverpool)
This eerie installation by Antony Gormley consists of 100 life-sized iron figures spread along the beach and stretching into the sea. The figures, slowly corroding from their exposure to the elements, gaze endlessly out to the horizon, creating a hauntingly beautiful yet slightly disturbing sight.