Manhole covers in the UK are typically made of metal or concrete. Their shape is usually rectangular , square or round and also elliptical , (drainage and water).
There are also lids in the shape of an octagon , and a hexagon
Many lids are "diagonal" (a square or rectangular lid consisting of two triangular parts. The lid is opened by lifting one of the parts) Diagonal lid opening.

In the UK, there are almost no colored lids, but there are a small number of gold covers

In Britain, there are a relatively large number of covers, some of which are transparent in order to allow sunlight to reach the cellars they cover.

Special shapes
Britain is characterized by lids with unique shapes, some of which do not exist in other countries.
- The most unique shape is one that reminds many of a bear’s head, especially if the image is rotated 45 degrees counterclockwise, in which case the holes serve as the bear’s eyes , .
- Lids with a shape consisting of a square or rectangle topped with a trapezoid, also unique to Britain ,
- There are also lids that are square in shape, but at the edge of the square there are corners that give the lid a unique shape
- Lids whose shape resembles an incandescent bulb
- Semicircles
- Lids in the shape of a triangle (or close to a triangle)
- "Inflated" squares
- Pentagonal lids (in the current example it is also "diagonal")
And more

Apart from covers intended for water, on which the word water is written or intended for the water company Thames Water , gas covers, or those intended for the company TfL - Transport for London, i.e. transport covers , the purpose of the cover usually does not appear on the cover and can sometimes be inferred only from the body for which the cover is intended (communication companies , etc.).
A designated cover, perhaps related to British humor, is a cover that says: MANHOLE COVER

Unlike other countries, even on covers designated for a specific city or district , the symbol of that city or district does not appear on the cover..

Manufacturers
Although most manufacturers of covers are British manufacturers, the leading manufacturer is Pam, an international company based in France . However, most covers are from manufacturers originating in the UK: Stanton , Clark Drain and others.
Many lids were made by small foundries that no longer exist, and are usually quite old lids , ,

Standards
The standards that appear on the lids are usually the international standards EN124 and the load ratings (usually D400) .

Many lids include the Kitemark - a quality mark and standard of the British Standards Institution , and the British Standard 497

Coalholes

Coalholes are lids from the time when houses were heated with coal, into which the coal bags were poured, so that the coal carriers did not have to enter the houses.
These lids were used in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They can be found throughout Britain, especially in London.
A coal hole is also used as the site’s logo
For a list of all coal holes, click here Coalholes in the site