Le Swan

The Tour de France will pass along along this road on Sunday. The local pub has has a new sign painted in celebration. In fact the whole street will stay closed most of the day and celebrate with a street party once the bikes have passed by.

Stone Roses

A Manchester rock band formed in the 1980s still has a pub named after them in York. This sign recalls the cover of their debut album called 'The Stone Roses' which was declared Greatest British Album of all Time by New Musical Express Writers in 2006.

Amusing Pub Names

This pub name and the associated sign is a not so subtle reference to the perceived Yorkshire fondness for cloth caps, whippets, beer and food.

History Lesson

Known locally as The Traf Bay this pub sign combines a history and a geography lesson in one.

Crystal Palace

This fine old pub sign is showing a bit of wear and tear, I suspect when it is replaced it will be with something rather more modern which would be a shame.

Model Sign

Occasionally pub signs will feature a model rather than a painting of the Pub name. The Victorian brick front behind the sign for The Golden Slipper on Goodramgate only hints at the age of this building, which has a much older 15th or 16th century portion next door.

Cleveland Bay

Said to be Britain's oldest breed of horse originating somewhere around the 17th century is the Cleveland Bay. The Bay Horse Pub on Blossom Street in York pays tribute to this old breed with a plaque on the wall in praise of this rare breed. The present Queen is patron of the British Cleveland Bay Horse Society and Clevelands still pull the occasional royal carriage.

Giant Lantern

The Mount pub has a giant lantern above the entrance door. I suspect it was originally lit by gas, but sadly it is no longer lit at all. The pub sign has also changed over the years, currently it features a member of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. I seem to think it had a mounted highway man on it some years back, but I could be mistaken.

Hansom Cab

Joseph Hansom inventor of the patent safety cab was born in York in 1803. He did not make much money from his invention as the company he sold the design to got into financial difficulties and could not pay him. This was a recurring theme throughout his life as a number of his building projects also went bankrupt. He spent most of his life working as an architect building many churches including the Roman Catholic Plymouth Cathedral.

Sign of the Times 3

Well at least you know exactly what to expect if you visit this bar!

What's in a Name?

Although it is looking a little the worse for wear this is one of my favourite pub signs in the city. I really like the way the birds wings mirror the flames. The Phoenix, as I am sure you know, is a mythical bird that every 100 years or so sets fire to itself and emerges from the ashes to begin a new life. I can never decide if this picture shows the end of the old Phoenix's life or the emerging of the new. What do you think?

Three Cranes

This is one of my favourite Pub signs in the city. The Three Cranes can be found in St Sampson's Square and the coloured tiles are set into the wall above the Public House entrance. Cranes are thought to have become extinct as a breeding bird in the UK around 400 years ago but they are now returning, with a little help. See here for further details.