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One of many things I love about London is that there is lots of history to explore just by wandering around. If you’re walking along Lombard Street, in the City of London, be sure to keep an eye out for the historical hanging street signs. The signs tell the stories of businesses long past and are some interesting history you can experience just by looking up.
History of the Lombard Street Signs
Lombard Street is said to date back to around the early 14th century and was named after the Italians from Lombardy who settled in the area. For centuries it was a busy, central street and place of commerce. Often referred to as “London’s Wall Street”, Lombard Street has long had an association with banking and finance.
The history of the hanging street signs is believed to date back to at least the 17th century (although possibly earlier). Due to lower literacy rates at the time, businesses would often hang signs with symbols (instead of text or numbers) out front to both advertise and indicate their location. These signs acted similar to modern day logos and two of Britain’s well-known banks (Barclays and Lloyd’s) are said to have gotten their logos from their original signs on Lombard Street.
As time went on, the street signs became a hazard, due to their heavy weight and tendency to fall down. As a result, by the 1800s most of the signs had been taken down or replaced with less dangerous versions. However in 1902, over 20 replicas of the signs were resurrected for King Edward VII’s Coronation celebrations, paying tribute to the former businesses located here.
Seeing the Lombard Street Signs Today
Today, four of the street signs from the early 20th century remain and visitors can view them just by taking a walk down the street. The most famous sign is probably the “grasshopper” whose original sign had a connection to Sir Thomas Gresham, founder of the Royal Exchange. Another recognizable one is the “cat and fiddle“… the origins of this sign are a little more unclear, but many believe it relates to a historical tavern.
Lombard Street is one of many fascinating things to explore in the City of London and provides a unique look into symbols of the city’s past.
Key Information for Seeing the Lombard Street Signs
1. How do you get to Lombard Street?
Lombard Street is located in the historic City of London. The street is located only a couple of minutes’ walk from both Bank and Monument stations.
2. Does it cost anything to see the hanging street signs of Lombard Street?
Nope! It is completely free to wander down the street and view the signs.
3. How long does it take to view the Lombard Street signs?
It only takes a couple of minutes to walk down Lombard Street, so this is a quick thing you can explore in the area.
4. What other historical things are there to see nearby?
There are many interesting things to explore in the City of London. Near Lombard Street, you can also visit the Monument to the Great Fire of London, the Bank of England Museum or Ye Olde Watling pub. You’re also only about a 10-minute walk from the beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral.
This article’s information was last updated in August, 2023.