I love the Great Western Arcade, with numerous independent shops and a great vintage atmosphere, it really is a special Victorian shopping space. The arcade is so called because it was built in 1876 by the Great Western Company. It was built over the top of a railway tunnel. The arcade was designed by W.H. Ward and his design was influenced by Crystal Palace which was designed by Joseph Paxton. The Great Western Arcade today has one ornate entrance on Temple Row and a modern, functional entrance on Colmore Row. This entrance was destroyed in WWII.