POSTBOXES OF WALTON
A POTTED HISTORY OF POSTBOXES IN UNITED KINGDOM
Records show that the first postbox was installed in 1853 in Carlisle following a trial in the Channel Islands.
The red colour was standardised in 1874, earlier models were green. The cypher of the reigning monarch features on the front of each box.
In 2012, 113 postboxes were painted gold in recognition of the community of an Olympic or Paralympic Gold Medal winner at the London Olympics. The nearest gold postbox to Walton-on-Thames is in Broad Street, Teddington in recognition of athlete Mo Farrah's medal in the 5,000m race.
So far, there have been six possible royal cyphers.
Records show that the first postbox was installed in 1853 in Carlisle following a trial in the Channel Islands.
The red colour was standardised in 1874, earlier models were green. The cypher of the reigning monarch features on the front of each box.
In 2012, 113 postboxes were painted gold in recognition of the community of an Olympic or Paralympic Gold Medal winner at the London Olympics. The nearest gold postbox to Walton-on-Thames is in Broad Street, Teddington in recognition of athlete Mo Farrah's medal in the 5,000m race.
So far, there have been six possible royal cyphers.
Postboxes in Walton
(2 are located just South of the railway line in Hersham)
(2 are located just South of the railway line in Hersham)
Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901)
In the cypher, VR stands for Victoria Regina.
There are two postboxes bearing this royal cypher in our local area. They are:
In the cypher, VR stands for Victoria Regina.
There are two postboxes bearing this royal cypher in our local area. They are:
- in Hersham Road, Walton-on-Thames
- in Mayfield Road, Hersham
King Edward VII (1901 - 1910)
The only example of a postbox installed in this era is in West Grove, Hersham,
close to the junction with Hersham Road.
The only example of a postbox installed in this era is in West Grove, Hersham,
close to the junction with Hersham Road.
King George V (1910 - 1936)
Postboxes installed in this era are to be found:
Postboxes installed in this era are to be found:
- Bridge Street at the junction of Manor Road
- Manor Road at Walton Community Centre
- High Street by Everyman Cinema
King Edward VIII (1936)
The only example of a postbox with this royal cypher is in
Mayfield Road, Hersham near the junction with Queens Road.
This postbox was originally located where the roundabout at the junction of West Grove and Queens Road is now. It was to be removed and decommissioned when the Hersham Bypass was built but a local resident successfully campaigned for it to be saved and relocated
There are only 130 boxes bearing this cypher. Here is a list of some locations.
The only example of a postbox with this royal cypher is in
Mayfield Road, Hersham near the junction with Queens Road.
This postbox was originally located where the roundabout at the junction of West Grove and Queens Road is now. It was to be removed and decommissioned when the Hersham Bypass was built but a local resident successfully campaigned for it to be saved and relocated
There are only 130 boxes bearing this cypher. Here is a list of some locations.
King George VI (1936 - 1952)
There are several postboxes bearing this royal cypher. They are:
There are several postboxes bearing this royal cypher. They are:
- Oatlands Drive/Ashley Close
- Dudley Road
- Sunnyside
- Esher Avenue
- Cottimore Lane
- Rydens Road
- Ashley Road/Station Avenue
Queen Elizabeth II (1952 - 2022)
There are postboxes bearing the royal cypher of Queen Elizabeth II:
There are postboxes bearing the royal cypher of Queen Elizabeth II:
- Church Street post office
- High Street outside McDonalds
- Terrace Road
- Shaw Drive
- Holly Avenue
- Walton Post Office
- Rydens Avenue
- Silverdale Avenue
- Molsey Road Post Office
- Sandy Lane
Walton's Postbox Trail
Follow our 3 mile trail on foot or cycle that will enable you to see an example of each generation of postbox.
The Trail starts outside the Everyman Cinema in High Street. Download the map below.
Follow our 3 mile trail on foot or cycle that will enable you to see an example of each generation of postbox.
The Trail starts outside the Everyman Cinema in High Street. Download the map below.