Thank you to everyone who joined in Monday's Architecture Quiz. It is with pleasure that I can report that everyone had the correct answer. When I asked, What sort of building do you think this is a part of? You were right whether you said church, mosque, library or train station. Despite this though, no-one managed to guess what the building actually is, so here is the answer: It's a bowling alley. Not one of those identikit prefabricated metal alleys, but one with a little bit of history and a little bit of character.

The Kursaal in Southend was built in 1901 and was one of the worlds first amusement parks. It has also housed a zoo and the local football team, Southend United. Old timers in the town still talk about how in used to have the largest sprung dance floor in Europe. Now, I have no idea what a sprung dance floor is, but I suspect it nothing like the giant ejector-floor that in my mind trebuchets bad dancers out of sight and out to sea. Later on the Kursaal became a rock venue, holding concerts for bands such as Deep Purple and Thin Lizzy. Today, as a shadow of it's former self, it is still the most interesting bowling alley I've ever visited.

Camper Van Beethoven - Take The Skinheads Bowling

Very interesting and very unusual. My compliments to your incredible quiz and find :-)) The stained glass is in that sort of cupola I'm watching in the first two shots or just inside the bowling alley? I saw your linked post but no glass there is visible. Nice set. The side B is in such an opposition to the side A ;-) Bizarre place... ????? · 2010-07-08: 19:37

My second guess was going to be a bowling alley!!! Cool shot, Jon. #3 is . . . well, . . . lgnelson · 2010-07-08: 21:11

Wonderful shots, beautiful colours and contrast! ????? · 2010-07-09: 00:58

Wow, I didn't see that one coming! Love the contrasting views of it. girafferacing · 2010-07-09: 03:39

How interesting! jet28 · 2010-07-09: 06:37

ha!the last picture is the best.I like such views. gonia · 2010-07-09: 07:20

A bowling alley....glad I didn't venture a guess....with your devious mind I figured it was something out of the ordinary ;))) (That's a compliment, you know). Shots and info above are very interesting....wonderful light in #2! lookagain · 2010-07-09: 08:16

very interesting! love the second shot. jennye · 2010-07-09: 10:13

Very interestin set! wildduck · 2010-07-09: 10:59

lool love the graffiti (doodles? ) on the door :))) is something i'm used to see around here! lol oh and the solution was not on my correct guess wow :O onlyricky · 2010-07-09: 11:11

love the second shot! lyricalthoughts · 2010-07-10: 23:22

Very interesting and my compliments to your quiz. l like the second photo manuele · 2010-07-12: 04:29

A sprung floor is built in such a way as to have a bit of rebound in it... gives a bit if lift if you're jumping and is supposed to be kinder and gentler to your feet and legs for dancing. Haven't these kind of places always had a light and a dark side? Great shot! thebronzebow · 2010-07-13: 10:51

Love the night shot in #2 and 3 has so much character. dontblink · 2010-07-13: 19:28

Tagged: the kursaal southend bowling alley take skinheads camper van beethoven