Adventurous Vents: A Journey through the Ventilation Shafts of Britain

A beautiful tribute to some of the UK's strangest, most charismatic structures - and an invitation to see the world around us a little differently

'Allow me to vent my enthusiasm for the oddest book of the year... I never thought anyone would compile a book of ventilation shafts but I’m very glad that they have. A lot of other British vent fans must share my delight' - Christopher Howse, The Telegraph

At the heart of the modern world lie ventilation shafts. We may not notice them, but wherever there are tunnels, sewers, mines, car parks and energy stations under our feet, vents will be doing vital work keeping them cool and fume-free.

Vents come in a wonderful and inventive variety of forms. This book celebrates them both in their own right as intriguing individual structures, and as an innovative way to tell the story of Britain's subterranean industrial development from the eighteenth century to the present day.

Here are one hundred of the most interesting ventilation shafts, dotted around Britain, sometimes in the most surprising places. You'll find them masquerading as sculptures and small buildings, adorned with fine details or displaying their purpose with confidence.

Whether you're inspired to take off in search of them, or just to admire them from your armchair, vents are fabulous objects. By putting them – perhaps for the very first time – centre-stage, Adventurous Vents celebrates a highly unusual but exciting architectural form.