Learn something new about the good old British Post Box

We tend to take the good old Post Box for granted for here in the UK, I know I do when I pop letters in Post Boxes. Write a card, pop it in an envelope, stick the address and a stamp on the front of it and a Post Box is a short stroll away. Deposit the card into the Post Box and it’ll be collected the same day and taken to a sorting office. Here it’ll be sent on its ongoing journey and arrive at its destination the very next day if you have paid for first class postage. That humble red Post Box stands out in all weather conditions ready to eat you mail. It’s a familiar sight at the side of a road installed towards the edge of a pavement but post boxes haven’t always been around.

The origins of UK Post Boxes

Of course there was a time before a Post Box was a familiar sight in the UK and the first versions didn’t appear until the mid 1800s. In fact the very first Post Box to appear on mainland UK was erected in 1853 at Botchergate in Carlise. Other countries were already using a roadside Post Box so it made sense for Great Britain to follow suit. From the beginning the Post Box was bright red in colour and took on the famous pillar box shape that we have grown to know and love.

Noticed something different about Post Boxes lately?

Normally Post Boxes in Great Britain are bright red in colour. However the colour of some Post Boxes has mysteriously changed over the past couple of months so don’t be surprised if you spot the odd gold coloured Post Box on your travels. Don’t be alarmed by the sight of a gold Post Box, vandals haven’t been at work. A gold post Box is that colour for one very good reason, it’s to commemorate the success of team GB at this year’s Olympic and Paralympic games. As a tribute to gold medal winners and the Post Box in the area where they were born or raised has been temporarily changed to gold. Isn’t that a nice tribute to recognise their achievements in this manner? It certainly makes the humble Post Box look far quirkier even if it is for a temporary basis.

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