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

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

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