These are the classic signs seen still at many rural road junctions, formed of a tall post with several arms pointing down each of the roads at the junction. In 1921 the MoT provided a model on which fingerposts should be based, but it was recommended that the name of the local highway authority be included as part of the design. This meant that each authority developed its own design, which makes the signs considerably more interesting. Many authorities displayed their name on a 'ring-top', or annulus, above the arms.
They were supposed to be replaced after the signing reforms during the 1960s, but thankfully many have remained. Now traditional designs are once again permitted, and there are a few companies that specialise in their manufacture (see links below).
Much more information can be found in Stuart Hands' little book Road Signs (Shire Publications 2002), including examples of fingerpost styles in various counties.
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This sign is in Lanercost in Cumberland, and is in pristine condition. I have just found out that this is because it is new! See Signpost Restoration Limited's website for details. Cumberland County Council was one of the authorities that didn't bother removing many of its fingerposts when required to in the 1960s. The name of the authority appears vertically down the post, in white lettering. |
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This sign stands on the B6262 at Brougham, near Penrith, in Westmorland. Road numbers are not mentioned. This was a fairly common design in Westmorland; until 2002 there were several in the Orton area which have now been replaced by modern fingerpost signs. Thanks to Carl Ryding for the picture and information. |
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This sign stands at Uley in South Gloucestershire. The name of the authority ("Gloucester County") appears in a 'ring-top' above the arms. Thanks to Stuart Baker for this photo. |
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Another photo from Stuart Baker, with an example of what he calls the 2nd generation sign, with pipe and castellation. However, this one is rare as it is in the old black and white colours. |
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This sign stands on the road between Wells and Wookey Hole in Somerset. Somerset County Council is one of the highway authorities which didn't make much of an effort to replace all its fingerposts in the 1960s, and thus there are many left in the county. Note the distinctive tetrahedral finial, with S.C.C painted on. Another interesting feature about this post is the "Glencot" arm, which has been added later, presumably to replace an old one. The arm uses the "Transport" font -- compare the "1/4" with the style of fractions on the other arms, and note the more generous inter-letter spacing. |
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A close-up of the same sign, showing the shape of the finial better, and "Somerset" written vertically down the post. Some of these fingerposts can also be seen in the parts of the former county of Avon which had been under Somerset's jurisdiction before 1974, but with the S.C.C on the finial whited out. |
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A very ornate fingerpost with 'real' fingers, which stands here in the village of Pelsall in Staffordshire. The B4155 is now the A4124, but the sign remains. It is referred to simply as 'The Fingerpost' for miles around, and even the new residential road next to it is called Fingerpost Drive! Thanks to Steven Jukes for this photo. |
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A 1777 fingerpost (in actual fact a replica of the original) which stands near the junction of the A5 and A452 in Brownhills, Staffs. Thanks again to Steven Jukes for this photo. |
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Harrow-on-the-Hill in Middlesex is stuck in a bit of a time-warp, so it was not much of a surprise to spot this fingerpost nearby. Quite a plain design, it has seen better days as only two of its four arms remain. |
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This old post is still evident at Golders Green crossroads, also in Middlesex. The arms point to Hampstead (down the A502), London (down the A598), and Finchley (up the A598). Unfortunately, the fourth arm, which said Hendon, has disappeared in the last year or so, and the fingerpost has been recently obscured from the road by a magazine kiosk (to the left of the post in the photo). |
If you know of any fingerposts near you, please send them in -- let's see if we can get one from every county!