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These Photographs of England are Accidentally Wes Anderson

Check out these places in England that are 'Accidentally Wes Anderson.' Maybe one will be the setting for his next movie?

by Historic England
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Maybe one of these will be the setting for his next movie?

Who is Wes Anderson?

Wes Anderson is an American filmmaker. His films include ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’, ‘Moonrise Kingdom’, and ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’. They are known for their distinctive visual style of symmetrical viewpoints and bold colours.

In recent years, the phrase ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ was popularised by the Instagram account @accidentallywesanderson, to describe places photographed similarly.

How to shoot like Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson’s style draws on architectural photography principles, which our photographers also use. His style is possibly influenced by iconic ‘straight photography photographers like Atget, Sander, Candida Höfer and the Bechers.

You won’t find many converging verticals in Anderson’s films, where the building’s form is compromised by viewing upwards. Perspective control and keeping the camera level are key.

Architectural photographers set out to articulate the built environment as succinctly as possible. Wes Anderson utilises simplicity as a critical component of his compositional oeuvre. Appropriate accoutrements are allowed, but unnecessary objects are removed, which is why Anderson’s scenes look clinical.

Places in England that are Accidentally Wes Anderson

If you’re inspired to take some Wes Anderson-style photography, look at our examples below.

The Crown House, 33 Waterside, Ely, Cambridgeshire

The Crown House, Ely. A vintage green car is parked in front of an asymmetrical house with a red door.

Moseley Road Baths, Birmingham, West Midlands

Moseley Road Baths, Birmingham. Interior of a swimming pool in a white room with white cast iron arches and arched windows. Two lifeguards stand in front of the pool.

HMP Garth, Lancashire

Wing interior of the prison with two pool tables

Grand Pier, Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset

The Grand Pier building in Weston-super-Mare, on the beach. People mill around.

Isle of Dogs Pumping Station, Tower Hamlets, London

Isle of Dogs Pumping Station with two colourful, decorative columns flanking the doorway. Black and white roof detail in the centre.

Seating shelter, Southsea, Hampshire

Decorative yellow seating shelter in Southsea on the beach.

St. Mary’s RC Church, Dunstable, Bedfordshire

Interior of St Mary's Church. Pews on either side with a crucifix in the centre and a circular white and blue ceiling.

Civic Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Lime green leather sofa in front of a decorative yellow wall on a green rug.

Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Fountain in the centre of an outdoor swimming pool with a white building at the head of the pool.

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham, West Midlands

Auditorium with peach coloured rows of seating and a wooden wall with ornate doors.

Which is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.

Further reading

Early Photographs of Cycling in the 19th Century
Old Photographs of England at Leisure

2 comments on “These Photographs of England are Accidentally Wes Anderson”

  1. Charlotte K
    13 September 2021

    I sure hope he sees this. These are wonderful!

    Reply
  2. Anne Strathie
    23 October 2021

    Great blog, thank you. Delighted to live near one (Sandford Lido) and within visiting distance of several others!

    Reply

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