Few things say London quite like a bright red telephone box. You’ll still spot them along busy streets, outside historic buildings and tucked into unexpected corners of the city.
But these familiar red kiosks weren’t always part of the London streetscape. Their distinctive design began with an architectural competition, and the original prototype is still standing in London today.
Why Are London’s Telephone Boxes Red?
Britain’s first standardized public telephone kiosk, the K1, appeared in 1921. But its concrete design wasn’t particularly popular, so the General Post Office held a competition to find something better.
Architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott won with his elegant K2 design, introduced in 1926. Scott originally proposed a silver finish, but the Post Office chose red to make the kiosks more visible on the street.
The K2 was expensive to manufacture and appeared mainly in London. In 1935, Scott designed a smaller, more economical version called the K6 to celebrate King George V’s Silver Jubilee.
That became the classic red telephone box recognized around the world. Eventually, around 60,000 K6 kiosks were installed across Britain.
What Happened to London’s Red Telephone Boxes?
As mobile phones became commonplace, traditional telephone boxes gradually lost their purpose. Thousands were removed, while others fell into disrepair.
Fortunately, many surviving kiosks received heritage protection. Some have even found new lives as miniature libraries, community facilities and other creative spaces.
Today, the red telephone box remains one of Britain’s most recognizable design icons, even if you rarely need one to make a call.
Where Can You Find the Original Red Telephone Box?
Here’s a little piece of London history worth seeking out.
If you’re walking along Piccadilly near the Royal Academy of Arts, look toward the entrance to Burlington House.
On the western side of the entrance, you’ll find Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s original wooden K2 prototype from 1924.
Unlike the familiar cast-iron telephone boxes, this one was built from timber for the design competition. It remains in the very spot where it was placed after judging and is now a Grade II* listed historic structure.
Look across to the opposite side of the entrance and you’ll also see a cast-iron K2.
It’s an easy detail to overlook, but these two kiosks offer a fascinating glimpse at the origins of one of London’s most photographed landmarks.
Address: Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BF
Nearest Station: Green Park or Piccadilly Circus
Website: Royal Academy of Arts