Preston has played host to a plethora of pub signs through the years, especially considering the city once held a reputation for having a different pub for every day of the year! Pub names depict everything from local folklore, historic events, royalty and notable characters. A simple pub sign can hold the key to a town’s past and when it comes to the history of pub names, each one is different. We’ve dipped into the archives to find some of the best old pub signs that welcome punters to cross the threshold. READ MORE: Long lost pubs of Preston. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: More forgotten Preston pubs. MORE MEMORIES: Popular Preston pubs of the 90s.
9. The Black Horse
The Black Horse could have gained its name for a couple of reasons - many pubs were named after sporting past times, or it could have referred to travel when a need for coaching inns grew in the 18th century Photo: Becky Matthews
10. Fox & Grapes
The name Fox and Grapes probably refers to one of Aesop's Fables. The story concerns a fox that tries to eat grapes from a vine but cannot reach them. Rather than admit defeat, he states they are undesirable. That story can be seen here in the sign that used to hang outside the boozer. The name was likely given to this particular pub due to the name of the street it was located on - Fox Street in Preston Photo: Archive
11. The Continental
The Continental pub sits on the picturesque banks of the River Ribble in Preston. This is reflected in the old sign for the pub, showing the landlord of the pub serving drinks to leisure boat sailors - memories of a time gone by Photo: Ian Robinson
12. The Edinburgh Castle
In keeping with the heraldry theme, the Edinburgh Castle couldn't have a sign depicting much else other than the castle it is named after Photo: Archive