in

General election: Britain’s most unusual polling stations where voters can cast their ballots today – from tents to launderettes and even someone’s own house

As voters across the UK look to cast their ballots today, there is one key question on everyone’s minds – where can I go to vote?

For many the answer will simply be at the nearest village hall, church or even nursery. 

But for others, their local set up might be slightly different as they find themselves queuing up in some rather unusual locations. 

From a caravan in Cambridgeshire, to a shipping container in Battersea and even a Hindu temple in Wimbledon, there are a number of surprising places that have been made into makeshift polling stations this week.

The Ace Launderette in Oxford has doubled up as a polling station, and one woman even transformed her home for people to vote in Winwick, Northamptonshire.

Here MailOnline shows you a glimpse of some of the most unusual, and who knows, maybe yours is on the list!

Jackie and Alan Ward sit at their polling station caravan, which even features an expandable tent section, in Whitehall Gardens

Jackie and Alan Ward sit at their polling station caravan, which even features an expandable tent section, in Whitehall Gardens

A dog poses by Fullwell Mill windmill in Sunderland, which is being used as a polling station

A dog poses by Fullwell Mill windmill in Sunderland, which is being used as a polling station

A polling station that has been installed inside The Ace Launderette in Oxford today

A polling station that has been installed inside The Ace Launderette in Oxford today

One unusual polling station is this launderette in Oxford which has been transformed today

One unusual polling station is this launderette in Oxford which has been transformed today

Members of the public walk past the entrance to the 2024 General Election polling station in Whitley Bay Cemetery and Crematorium, in North East England

Members of the public walk past the entrance to the 2024 General Election polling station in Whitley Bay Cemetery and Crematorium, in North East England

Members of the public cast their votes at a former fire station in London

Members of the public cast their votes at a former fire station in London

A polling station opens at the Bank View Cafe, South Yorkshire, today

A polling station opens at the Bank View Cafe, South Yorkshire, today

June Thomas, 80, regularly turns her house in Winwick, Northamptonshire, into a polling station - but she voted by post instead

June Thomas, 80, regularly turns her house in Winwick, Northamptonshire, into a polling station – but she voted by post instead

Voters arrive to cast their votes in a caravan in Carlton, Cambridgeshire

Voters arrive to cast their votes in a caravan in Carlton, Cambridgeshire

The Castor and Ailsworth Tennis Club, near Peterborough, is also being utilised for voting today, with pickleball sessions due to take place for those who want to participate after crossing the box.

One couple, Jackie and Alan Ward set up their caravan as a polling station, which even features an expandable tent section, in Whitehall Gardens, Westminster, London.

See also  Lyon Metropolis. YouTuber Fares Le Paff attempted the record for pull-ups on a helicopter

In Loughborough, a polling station sign was spotted on a mobile unit at a Lidl supermarket car park.

Similarly, one was set up in a mobile library – in a Tesco car park in Cambridge.

The Long Shop Museum in Leiston, Suffolk, which preserves the areas industrial heritage – has also been transformed for the occasion.

Members of the public can also vote in the unusual choice of Whitley Bay Cemetery and Crematorium, in North East England.

Is YOUR polling station unusual? Email: emily.davies@mailonline.co.uk 

Monks from Sancta Maria Abbey in East Lothian, cast their vote in the General Election at the polling station in Garvald Village Hall

Monks from Sancta Maria Abbey in East Lothian, cast their vote in the General Election at the polling station in Garvald Village Hall 

This dog poses by a polling station in the Old Albanians Rugby Club, Herts

This dog poses by a polling station in the Old Albanians Rugby Club, Herts

A woman walks past Roath Park polling station with her dog in Cardiff

A woman walks past Roath Park polling station with her dog in Cardiff

Two Chelsea Pensioners vote in a temporary polling station next to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home to some veteran armed forces members

Two Chelsea Pensioners vote in a temporary polling station next to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home to some veteran armed forces members

A voter makes his way to a polling station inside a pub in Bagby, north of England

A voter makes his way to a polling station inside a pub in Bagby, north of England

The Castor and Ailsworth Tennis Club, near Peterborough, is also being utilised for voting today, with pickleball sessions due to take place for those who want to participate after crossing the box. Pictured: The cricket ground used as a polling station

The Castor and Ailsworth Tennis Club, near Peterborough, is also being utilised for voting today, with pickleball sessions due to take place for those who want to participate after crossing the box. Pictured: The cricket ground used as a polling station

People walk outside a shipping container that has been made into a polling station near Battersea Power Station during the general election

People walk outside a shipping container that has been made into a polling station near Battersea Power Station during the general election

Another makeshift polling station in a portakabin in Andover, Hampshire

Another makeshift polling station in a portakabin in Andover, Hampshire

People vote in a temporary polling station next to Norbiton railway station in London

People vote in a temporary polling station next to Norbiton railway station in London

The Reubens hotel in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, is being used as a polling station

The Reubens hotel in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, is being used as a polling station

The Forum Theatre in Northallerton is also being used as a polling station today

The Forum Theatre in Northallerton is also being used as a polling station today

Other establishments being used include The Forum Theatre in Northallerton and The Reubens hotel in Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire.

June Thomas, 80, regularly turns her house in Winwick, Northamptonshire, into a polling station – but she voted by post instead.

For some Gloucestershire residents, marking an X will see them travel to more wacky locations such as a sports bar or a country estate.

See also  Prince William and Kate Middleton's children gleefully lark about in remarkably candid clip as Kate reveals her chemotherapy has ended

A karate club’s Montpellier Hall in the county is also being used, meaning some classes had to be cancelled for the occasion.

The Lion’s Den’s bar at Gloucester Rugby’s Kingsholm Stadium is another unorthodox location, along with the Colesbourne Estate, famed for its 350 varieties of stunning snowdrops.

In Andover, Hampshire, another makeshift polling station was set up in a portakabin.

Is YOUR polling station unusual? Email: emily.davies@mailonline.co.uk 

People go to vote in a temporary polling station next to Norbiton railway station today

A man tapes a polling station sign on a window in London this morning

A man hangs a polling station sign on a mobile unit at a Lidl supermarket car park in Loughborough

A man hangs a polling station sign on a mobile unit at a Lidl supermarket car park in Loughborough

People walk outside a polling station located inside Shree Ghanapathy Temple in Wimbledon

People walk outside a polling station located inside Shree Ghanapathy Temple in Wimbledon

A person leaves a polling station after voting at Southfields Library this morning

A person leaves a polling station after voting at Southfields Library this morning

A polling clerk hangs a polling station sign outside the entrance archway to Christ Church in Chorleywood

A polling clerk hangs a polling station sign outside the entrance archway to Christ Church in Chorleywood

People walk outside a polling station during the general election in Cooksbridge Village

People walk outside a polling station during the general election in Cooksbridge Village

Heatherbelle Bates took her horse along as she cast her vote at Holne in Devon

Heatherbelle Bates took her horse along as she cast her vote at Holne in Devon 

A police officer patrols outside the polling station in Kirby Sigston

A police officer patrols outside the polling station in Kirby Sigston

A local resident brings coffee for those outside a polling station in London today

A local resident brings coffee for those outside a polling station in London today

Is YOUR polling station unusual? Email: emily.davies@mailonline.co.uk 

After weeks of campaigning, polling stations open for voters to have their say at the General Election today, which means the return of the trend #dogsatpollingstations.

Millions of people will cast their vote between 7am and 10pm, with opinion polls suggesting Labour is on course to secure a big majority in the House of Commons.

Polling stations are now open, including the one in Kirby Sigston in North Yorkshire, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to vote later.

Mr Sunak said today represents a ‘pivotal moment’ for the country’s future as he claimed Labour would ‘wield their unchecked power’ to increase taxes should they secure a ‘supermajority’.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the UK ‘cannot afford’ five more years under the Conservatives, adding Britain can ‘begin a new chapter’ under his party.

On a less serious note, dogs across the country are being snapped waiting dutifully for their owner to cast a vote.

See also  Pokemon cards 'worth £1m' are stolen from family business in raids on warehouse

#DogsAtPollingStations is one of the highest trends on X this morning, with adorable polling pooches seen next to signs.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also posted to get in on the trend

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also posted to get in on the trend

One pup named Mavis was pictured high-fiving the camera, with her owner writing on X: 'Paws up for change! Mavis feels getting in early is impawtent in Bury North on a day like this'

One pup named Mavis was pictured high-fiving the camera, with her owner writing on X: ‘Paws up for change! Mavis feels getting in early is impawtent in Bury North on a day like this’

Another well dressed pooch, Lottie the Labour Briard, in Over Haddon, Derbyshire

Another well dressed pooch, Lottie the Labour Briard, in Over Haddon, Derbyshire

This little pug named Peanut reluctantly sat for a photograph this morning

This little pug named Peanut reluctantly sat for a photograph this morning

One pup named Mavis was pictured high-fiving the camera, with her owner writing on X: ‘Paws up for change! Mavis feels getting in early is impawtent in Bury North on a day like this.’

The dogs in polling stations trend first emerged during the 2015 election and typically features photographs of pets pictured waiting for their owners while they cast their votes.

Most of the dogs were pictured sitting patiently outside the polling stations and generally conducting themselves in a calm and considerate manner.

There are no specific rules banning dogs from inside polling stations, as this depends on whether the building which is being used for the vote usually allows them.

This adorable pup called Bagel is pictured at the polling station in Bramley

This adorable pup called Bagel is pictured at the polling station in Bramley

This incredibly fluffy pup sits patiently in front of a polling station sign

This incredibly fluffy pup sits patiently in front of a polling station sign

Smart boy Spike dressed up especially for the occasion this morning

It comes after the Sun finally announced their last-minute endorsement of Sir Keir – to the fury of both readers and those in Liverpool a Labour stronghold which has long shunned the newspaper after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

An exit poll, published shortly after 10pm tonight, will provide the first indication of how the election has gone on a national level.

These take place at polling stations across the UK, with tens of thousands of people asked to privately fill in a replica ballot as they leave, to get an indication of how they voted.

The first of the 650 seats are likely to declare their results from 11.30pm.

What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings

Roanne. A bus stuck across Rue Beaulieu creates a major traffic jam

Plus size fashion: how to wear a pareo with style when you are plus size?