Image of a white and red sign reading 'petrol' on the front of a brick building.
Petrol sign on the wall of Windsor Street garage, Liverpool © Historic England Archive DP136722
Petrol sign on the wall of Windsor Street garage, Liverpool © Historic England Archive DP136722

Ghost Signs

Ghost Signs Interactive Map - now closed to new submissions.

We opened our ghost signs map in October 2023 in the hope that people would help us build a picture of the ghost signs across England, sharing those they know and love on our interactive map, and encouraging others to spot them in their towns, villages and on their high streets.

From the outset, our intention was to leave the map open to submissions for a limited period of time.

Thank you for all the wonderful pictures and stories.

We were overwhelmed by the response and delighted to receive over 2500 submissions.

The map is now closed to new submissions, but it can still be used by anyone who would like to discover ghost signs that have been mapped in their local area and beyond.

More about ghost signs

Ghost signs can come in many forms but are typically historic hand-painted advertising signs or old shop signs preserved on buildings that have since changed use.

Often found in urban areas, ghost signs are an important part of the historic fabric on our high streets. These faded relics can tell us much about our collective architectural, cultural and social history.

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Take a look at some examples below

Use the map below to discover ghost signs in your local area.

Read the Ghost Signs terms and conditions.