A junction featuring a giant dandelion fountain has been crowned Britain’s best roundabout
Dandelion Roundabout in Nuneaton, Warwicks, was picked from hundreds across the country by the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society
A ROUNDABOUT featuring a giant dandelion water fountain has been named the best in Britain this year.
The Dandelion Roundabout in Nuneaton, Warwicks, was picked from hundreds across the country by the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society.
A 12ft metal dandelion in the middle of the junction sprays water outwards, mimicking seeds blowing away in the wind.
It was built in 2000 by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council as part of a facelift and cost £160,000.
Kevin Beresford, who travelled around the UK to judge entrants in the best roundabout contest, said: "The UKRAS committee was bowled over by Nuneaton's Dandelion Roundabout.
"We recommend approaching this roundabout on a scorching summer's day with your car windows wound down.
"Take at least three circuits of this wonderful one-way gyratory for a truly exhilarating ride.
"The spray of this glorious giant 'weed', replicates floating seeds that dreamily drift through your open car windows giving the driver and passenger a sense of refreshing calm."
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The Dandelion claimed the top accolade ahead of Badger Island in Dorset, which features life-sized model badgers.
Bridlington’s Fishing Boat Island – with its marine signs – came third in the competition.
The top three will be joined by nine runners-up to form the elite core of roundabouts chosen for inclusion in the new Best of British Roundabouts calendar 2017.
Previous roundabouts to receive this highest of honours include the BFI Imax roundabout in London, the Shepherd and Flock roundabout in Farnham and the Holgate Windmill roundabout in York.
The UK Roundabout Appreciation Society says it aims to help the public to “view and appreciate roundabouts in a new light”.
The group’s website says: “The roundabout is truly an oasis on a sea of tarmac.
“On road systems anywhere in the world there is nothing more expressive than the one-way gyratory.”
Top 12 Roundabouts in Britain:
1. The Dandelion Fountain Roundabout, Nuneaton.
2. Badger Island, Dorset.
3. Fishing Boat Roundabout, Bridlington.
4. Anchor Island, Charlestown.
5. Nine Tree Island, Solihull.
6. Sheep Flock Roundabout, Shepton Mallet.
7. Rowing Boat Roundabout, Rugby.
8. 'Little Willie' Tank Roundabout, Lincoln.
9. 'Tichmarsh' Double-Kerber roundabout, Norwich.
10. Imax Island, London.
11. Brick-ringer roundabout Cumbria.
12. Solar panel 'brickie'. Southampton Airport.
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