The Yorkshire village of Riccall boasts a rather unexpected landmark: a hulking concrete water tower, a relic of the Brutalist architectural movement. Built in the 1970s, the tower stands in stark contrast to the quaint cottages and rolling fields that surround it.

Brutalist architecture, characterised by its use of raw concrete and geometric shapes, has a love-it-or-hate-it reputation. The Riccall water tower certainly falls into the latter category for some. On online forums, it's been described as everything from "modern" to "monstrous" .

Yet, the tower's imposing presence has undeniable character. It's become a local landmark, a navigational point for walkers and cyclists traversing the scenic routes around Riccall. Some even find its utilitarian design strangely beautiful, a testament to a bygone era.

The tower's fate remains a bit uncertain. While it's no longer in use for its original purpose of storing water, it stands sentinel over the village. Perhaps it will be repurposed for a new use, or maybe it will continue to stand as a silent observer of the changing times.

Here are some additional interesting facts about the Riccall water tower:

• The tower is a trig point, a marker used in land surveying.
• Despite its imposing size, the tower is inaccessible to the public as it sits within a fenced Yorkshire Water compound.
• The tower has divided opinions on aesthetics, but there's no denying its unique presence in the Yorkshire landscape.

Next time you find yourself in Riccall, take a moment to appreciate this unexpected architectural oddity. The Riccall water tower may not be a traditional beauty, but it's a fascinating reminder of the 20th century's architectural movements and their enduring impact on our built environment.

Drone video of Riccall Water Tower