Ghost signs on the first floor of a building with cream walls and multiple sash windows
Ghost signs on the front elevation of 1 Market Place, Frome, displaying several layers of paint including signs for Yeovil Tractors Ltd and York's Motor Works. © Rachel Preston. Source: Historic England Archive View image record HEC01/128/02/30/03
Ghost signs on the front elevation of 1 Market Place, Frome, displaying several layers of paint including signs for Yeovil Tractors Ltd and York's Motor Works. © Rachel Preston. Source: Historic England Archive View image record HEC01/128/02/30/03

Ghost Signs Competition

Over Halloween weekend 2023, Picturing High Streets ran a national competition inviting members of the public to submit photographs of ghost signs on England's high streets to be entered in the Historic England Archive.

The winners

Competition winners

The 6 winning images below have been added to the Historic England Archive. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge. 

Ghost signs on the first floor of a building with cream walls and multiple sash windows Ghost sign worded: 'Bovril - The Essence of Good Cooking' on the first floor of a building with another sign for current business 'Fame Fashions' beneath on the ground floor. Ghost sign on the side of a 2-storey brick building. Ghost sign with wording: 'Holdaway Painter, Grainer & Decorator, estimates for general repairs' A ghost sign advertising Hustler Soap. A peeling sign with embossed lettering reading "Keighley Cycling Club Ltd - Registered Office" next to a dark wooden door.

These faded relics tell us how buildings were once used and have changed over time, as well as what products were popular and how they were advertised to the public.

Can you help complete the picture of where ghost signs can still be found?

Add your images to our ghost signs map

Also of interest

Ghost Signs blog and video: Spooky Remains of a Hidden Past
Picturing High Streets Collection 
Picturing High Streets Through the Eyes of the Public