Pubs have long been used as landmarks for navigation, they are helpful because they are quite easily recognised (most of them have a sign hanging outside) and it helps that many of them are built at road junctions.
The sign shown below at Singleton, West Sussex is unusual, possibly unique (if you know of a similar example then let me know), normally a fingerpost like this would be pointing the way to neighbouring villages, not nearby pubs.
I don’t know who is responsible for the sign, it appears to be in someone’s garden. I can’t imagine that the highways department of West Sussex County Council were responsible, but whoever is responsible it is a great idea.
According to the British Beer & Pub Association, almost 40 pubs a week are closing across Britain (or they were in the second half of last year), with two a week closing in the south of England. Clearly Singleton is in a very favoured location, with six pubs within a four mile radius.
Hi John,
I have been following your blog for a while now, i love this photo especially the sign that says the fox goes free. Ive been researching my family for almost 10 years now, its great fun isnt it.
regards
Gill
Hi Gill,
I haven’t been to The Fox Goes Free, but it is a great name.
Not only is family history fun, but it is also addictive.
Thanks for your comments
John