Country Hall architects, 1968
As recommended by: CaptCrash and bernardtheotter
Previously marshland, Thamesmead is a new town funded by the Greater London Council in the 1960s. Its original architecture won awards and potential residents had to be vetted to live there. However, abandoned plans for better transport links and new shopping and leisure facilities led to its decline. Nevertheless, its monochrome setting on the man-made lakes have become iconic after featuring in films such as A Clockwork Orange and the Channel 4 series Misfits Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian
Russell Diplock and Associates, 1964
As recommended by: cagnolino
Labelled Britain's first 'park and buy' in 1964, Arlington House is an 18-storey apartment building with a shopping piazza and car park at ground level. Built on the seafront, it was marked as the first stage of Margate's redevelopment. Little did locals know that the likes of Mary Portas would still be at it in the 21st century. She recently wrote to the government outraged at plans to turn the ground floor into a Tesco superstore Photograph: Paul Gisby Photography/Alamy
Neave Brown, 1978
As recommended by: FelixG
This low-rise, high-density estate was designed by architect Neave Brown as a challenge to the government's preference for high-rise. Finalised in 1968 but not completed for another decade this estate cost a whopping £20.9m to build. In 1989 a group of residents, unhappy with the way the place was deteriorating, began a campaign and the building gained a Grade II listing in 1993. This made it the youngest and largest building ever to be listed, as well as the first modern housing estate Photograph: John Minihan/Rex Features
Lambeth Council, 1971 and 1974
As recommended by: ID3945985
There are not many (if any) council estates in the UK that can boast a windmill, but Blenheim Gardens in Brixton can. Built in 1816, it was a working mill until 1934, before it was restored in 2010 with heritage lottery money, making it a focal point of an estate made up of low-rise houses. The reader who suggested this said the estate is “surely the loveliest” with homes that are “warm and efficient” Photograph: Alastair Indge/Alamy
Alison and Peter Smithson, 1972
As recommended by: Oliver Long and bignosey
This complex, built in 1972, was designed by married couple Alison and Peter Smithson as an example of the 'streets in the sky' concept that was so popular at the time. Despite several attempts by architects and lobby groups to list this building, demolition started in 2013. Oliver Long says: 'For me that building is a crumbling embodiment of optimism. It's inconceivably important and incredibly monumental.' Bignosey doesn't agree: 'That estate is a warren of violence that no visitor can forget' Photograph: VIEW Pictures Ltd/Alamy
Lyons Ellis, 1969
As recommended by: StMarysPeddler
Designed to imitate the cruise liners that sail into Southampton port, Wyndham Court was built between 1966 and 1969, and is one of the first things you see as you enter the city centre by train. Southampton City Corporation has been described as one of the more enlightened postwar commissioners of social housing and this building was listed in 1998, an unpopular decision in the local press Photograph: VIEW Pictures Ltd/Alamy
London County Council, 1958 and 1959
As recommended by: evenstares, kazbe and Nimbus020
Evenstares says: 'I have always been impressed by the "city in the countryside" effects of the Alton East Estate.' Meanwhile, Kazbe prefers Alton West. Whatever your preference, the two parts make up the second largest housing estate in Europe. Alton East was built in 1958 and had a softer, more humanist approach, whereas Alton West, built a year later was more brutalist and was used in the film Fahrenheit 451 to depict a dystopian, totalitarian future Photograph: David Thorpe/Alamy
Gordon Benson and Alan Forsyth, 1978
As recommended by: MunicipalDreams
Dubbed 'the most expensive council housing in the world', Branch Hill Estate is another Camden estate, this time built on the old lands of Branch Hill Lodge. Developers made the decision to leave the mature woodland around the project. This came at a cost. Expensive land and huge construction costs meant that by the time residents moved in in 1978, each house had cost the council an average of £72,000 Photograph: Michael Sullivan/Rex Features
Eric Lyons, 1977
As recommended by: MunicipalDreams
Built between the Kings Road and the river Thames, the World's End estate is prime real estate. Designed by Eric Lyons, the seven 20-storey tower blocks offer a panoramic view of London that includes the Royal Albert Hall and the BT Tower. Its southwesterly-facing residents can also enjoy an exceptional view of the sunset Photograph: Tim Ayers/Alamy
Wolverhampton Council, 1978
As recommended by: JasonJ
While one council estate can boast a windmill as a selling point, this one has its very own dovecote. Called the Dovecotes after the 17th-century dovecote that stands at its centre, this estate was built on old farmland. As JasonJ mentions “the layout of the estate suggests the fields it was built on” as do their names: Cornfield, Forge Close and Granary Road to name a few Photograph: David Bagnall /Alamy
