The Great Thing About A Pub Sign Is...

The use of a pub sign as we see it today originated way back when a tradesman would hang a tool outside their establishment to signify their trade. Blacksmiths would hang out horseshoes, tailors would hang out a pair of scissors etc.

Prior to this, dating as far back as Roman times bunches of vines and bushes were hung outside on poles. There is a pub in Hertfordshire called The Roundbush, it's sign is simply a painting of a bush! Maybe it's name has it's origins in this practice, a possibilty.

The pub sign became commonly used by the 12th century and was hung outside drinking establishments and inns to attract the attention of passing travellers. Paintings depicting the name of the pub were added to enable the many illiterate folk of the time to see the name of the pub.

In 1393, King Richard II passed an act which made it compulsory for pubs and inns to have a sign (his own emblem the 'White Hart' in London) in order to identify them to the official Ale Taster. Ever since then, pub names and signs have reflected British life at the time. (Source: Inn Sign Society, History.)

Todays pub names reflect a huge variety of origins. Many traditional signs feature royalty, professions, coats of arms and events in history. There are also a growing number of more modern additions to the naming of pubs.

The great thing is, even though there are many common pub names that are used repeatedly the length and bredth of the British Isles, each has it's own unique rendition of the artwork which depicts it's name*.

*(I shall exclude from this the large pub chains that are now spreading along the UK's High Streets. For me these are not real pubs, in my opinion they are merely glorifed supermarkets serving beer, but that's a whole different story).

Again this cannot be applied to pub chains, for their names are picked by marketing teams, usually to fit with whatever "fake theme" they're promoting within the bar. (You may have guessed by now I don't like pub chains or their plastic "theme bars"!) My opinion, if you are travelling in the UK avoid them like the plague.

Back to "real" pubs!...As I said above, many traditional signs feature royalty, professions, coats of arms and events in history. It's very common to see names like The Kings or Queens Head, The Crown, The Blacksmiths Arms.

Others depict local hero stories (The Rifle Volunteer) or characters from folklore (The Dick Turpin Inn), sports (old and new) such as Ye Old Fighting Cocks (Inset picture above: A pub in St Albans, Hertfordshire that claims to be the oldest pub, but there are a few) The Dog & Duck (hunting) & The Cricketers, The Sportsman.

As the people began to travel more, coaching inns sprang up with "original" names like The Coach & Horses. Many pubs still retain names like this today. Other forms of transport are depicted in names such as The Railway Arms.

Adding my graphics skills to my sense of humour then mixing it with my fascination with these strange little pieces of artwork (hmmm), I've embarked on a little project creating pub signs of my own.

I've tried to give them a genuine feel by combining tradtional styling of artwork and graphics with the commonly used signwriting fonts typically found on pub signs.

The pub names, some traditional others absolutely totally fictitious! Some designed as an original decoration, but many designed to hopefully raise a chuckle or two (or at least a smirk).

I'm sure I haven't created anything that could be deemed as offensive, at most some contain what would be considered a little humourous "adult inuendo" nothing graphic at all, but please if you are very very easily offended, it's best if you don't look...or if you must look, DON'T READ THEM!

I plan to add many more to the collection over time, so if you like them keep an eye out for new ones every once in a while.