Monument record MDO45518 - K6 Telephone Kiosk, Chettle, Chettle

The K6 or 'Jubilee' telephone kiosk was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V, and was a development of Scott's earlier K2 kiosk of 1924. The design, characterised by long horizontal glazing to the door and sides, has become iconic and some 11,000 boxes were ultimately produced to this design.

It is constructed in cast iron, with three glazed sides in eight registers with margin lights, and a solid rear side. The Soane-inspired canopy dome is placed above the four arched sides, each with a crown in relief above a glazed panel bearing the word 'TELEPHONE'. The kiosk is painted red. The interior has modernised equipment.

The K6 telephone kiosk is an iconic object in the English landscape, often making a significant contribution to its setting. A high number survive, however, and selectivity is therefore required when recommending examples for listing. Selection for listing can only be made of the best examples of K6 telephone kiosks. To be listable, a K6 telephone kiosk needs to have a strong visual relationship with more than one listed building, that is there should be a directly adjacent location in which both the kiosk and the listed buildings can be taken in simultaneously by the viewer; or be in a setting which is of exceptional interest in its own right, for example a notable townscape or an exceptional rural or coastal location. The K6 in Chettle stands in a picturesque setting within the village, outside the post office and close to a post box. However, it does not have a strong visual connection with any of the listed buildings in the village, which lie further to the south. It is also not in a setting which is of exceptional interest in its own right, nor is it situated within a conservation area. This kiosk does not therefore satisfy the criteria for listing. <1>

<1> English Heritage, English Heritage Listing File, Adviser's report on case 167391, in file 506269/001 (Scheduling record). SDO17502.

<2> Historic England, UDS Non-Designation case report, 167391 (Scheduling record). SDO18398.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1494437 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 13 2023 3:29PM