Smallest house in Britain
The Smallest House in Britain, also known as Quay House, is a residential building in Conwy Quay, North Wales. With a red-painted façade, the house measures 3.05 m (10 ft) high and 1.8 m (5.9 ft) wide. It has been officially recognised as the smallest house in the UK by the Guinness Book of Records.
Located near the walls of Conwy Castle, the house includes a ground floor living area with space for coal and an open fire, as well as a water tap behind the stairs; and a first-floor bedroom with a small storage niche.
During medieval times, it was common practice for houses to be constructed in rows against the town walls. Typically, rows were built from both ends of the street towards each other, and so there was often a remaining gap that was used to build a much smaller house at minimum cost.
Despite its cramped size, the house was inhabited from the 16th century until 1900, when the last occupant – an ironically tall fisherman – moved out. The council had declared the house unfit for human habitation, along with several equally small neighbouring houses. Although the other properties were demolished, local people campaigned and raised enough money to convert the remaining house into the tourist attraction it remains today.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Electrical contractors welcome crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.
Setting Expectations on Competence Management
Industry Competence Committee.
New Scottish and Welsh governments
CIOB stresses importance of construction after new parliament elections.
The sad story of Derby Hippodrome
An historic building left to decay.
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.