h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The water-works at Water Orton. I don't know if you can visit it, but it's visible on the train line from Nuneaton to Birmingham.

I'm sure they're very nice, but I am not familiar with them. Could you explain their appeal (since water-works are not what instantly springs to mind when thinking about beautiful buildings)?

Sorry, I should have been more specific. It's a Victorian Gothic style building in red brick with blue brick decoration (this style, for those not familiar with British architectural periods, is a romanticised recreation of 15th century cathedral design. Very pointy.) It is built in the shape of a church nave, with an apse at one end and huge narrow windows all round. It has a turret and is covered in gables and Gothic arches. The machines and that are housed inside. I don't know if it was originally a water-works, but it might be that more effort was spent on utility buildings than at present. It's next to a reservoir but is surrounded by countryside. Personally, I think it's a waste. There must be so much space inside that isn't used... if I had the money (and they didn't want it any more) I'd be living there. (But then I've always wanted to live in a deconsecrated church, with gravestones in the garden...)
I can't see any problem with visiting it, but I've not done any real research. It's not like you'd do any harm, just looking... maybe you have to arrange a private view.

I think that it possibly was originally meant to be a water-works. Utility buildings did used to be much grander than they are now. In Liverpool, we have loads of Victorian water-works, electricity sub-stations etc that are much more ornate than even the most up-market houses being built today.

Maybe they should swap functions. I certainly wouldn't miss all these twee little gingerbread terraces being built here.
Proud to be living in an 1890's terraced mining cottage!
(BTW, what is it about you that causes all mortals to flee?)