Comments on: The Manhole Covers of Spitalfields

By: Michelle Ward

Michelle Ward — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 17:06:37 +0000

Love this post and the handsome visuals. Manhole covers are a fascination to me and your images have been a thrill to come across today. Thank you!

By: wayne kiff

wayne kiff — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 19:57:27 +0000

I found a coalhole cover similar to the sunburst/catherinewheel style made by Clark hunt & co dumped on a building site last year in Torquay which I have at home.

By: elide beltram

elide beltram — Tue, 06 May 2014 00:16:07 +0000

I have noticed a few manhole covers with the star of David on this site. I am researching similar manholes covers found in Lugano Switzerland and I would like to find the meaning and origins of it. Tks

By: Granny P

Granny P — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 06:38:49 +0000

I have been taking pictures of everyday things for years but have never done anything with them. I thought I was just eccentric. You have inspired me to gather them together and at least label them in case any one is ever interested in them in the future. We are surrounded by beauty that is taken for granted and old skills that could be forgotten.
This really is the most fantastic website. Thank you.

By: Janet E Davis

Janet E Davis — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 01:06:47 +0000

I love this post! I’ve been intending to photograph manhole covers for years but not got round to it. It occurred to me that since they tended to be made quite locally (at least the ones I see were) that it would be interesting to compare manhole covers of different towns or areas of cities and large towns.
The styles of the covers shown here are wonderful in their variety. The variety of designs of such utilitarian objects in the historic fabric of our streets contribute to enrich our everyday environment.

By: lesley manousos

lesley manousos — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:59:50 +0000

Thank you for bringing my attention to something that I see daily but never really look at. Looking at the pictures of these lovely manhole covers (or inspection/access covers) I realize that I recognize the designs of many of them, but had never really “seen” them before. Some of the designs are really lovely and focusing on them as you have makes them into works of art rather than just functional covers.

By: Wellwynder

Wellwynder — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:40:11 +0000

Is it the dormant librarian in me that feels the need for a classification scheme for holes in the ground? Is a hole that a man can’t fit into really a manhole? Wikipedia says “Manholes are usually outfitted with … steps … to allow easy descent”, but confuses things by giving a definition (and photos) that takes in pretty much any form of access hole or inspection hole. Your lovely covers seem to cover holes ranging from ones big enough to climb through (like the LCC one) to ones only big enough to pour coal into. Blimey, I can be pedantic sometimes…