Two K8 Telephone Kiosks At Raf Benson

Two K8 telephone kiosks, built in 1968 or later, are located at RAF Benson. They were designed by architect Bruce Martin and are made of cast iron with toughened glass, resting on a concrete floor.

The kiosks are positioned side by side outside the air base's shop and post office. Each kiosk features tall windows made of toughened plate glass in the door and two side walls. The solid rear wall, which houses the telephone equipment, has a blind panel instead of a window. The upper section of each kiosk has slightly curved corners and displays glazed signage panels on all four sides marked 'TELEPHONE', illuminated by a neon strip set into the roof. It is noted that three signage panels, one on the left kiosk and two on the right, have lost their original lettering.

The K8 telephone kiosk was designed between 1965 and 1966 and won a competition to create a successor to the classic K6 kiosk designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935. Production of the K8 began in 1968, with around 11,000 units manufactured. While the K6 kiosks are still commonly found, only a small number of K8 kiosks remain in public use today, with some having been transferred from British Telecom to private owners.

These two telephone kiosks at RAF Benson are designated for their intact representation of the K8 model, showcasing a Modernist adaptation of the classic K6 design.