Pub signs that tell a story
Across Britain and beyond, cats have prowled pub signs for centuries, stretching across swinging boards, stalking chimney pots, fiddling violins, sailing pea-green boats and, in one memorable case, advertising “Free Mouse!”.
From the dignified Cheshire Cat to the cheerful Fat Cat, every painted whisker hints at local folklore, forgotten traditions or a landlord with a delightfully quirky sense of humour. Many of these pubs are centuries old, while others have reinvented themselves with fresh artwork that keeps the feline spirit alive.
The galleries here celebrate that remarkable variety, recording not just the artwork but the history behind each establishment and the tales that inspired their names. Whether you’re a pub historian, a cat enthusiast, a photographer or simply someone who enjoys spotting the unexpected, you’ve arrived at a place where every sign has another tale to uncork and every pawprint points towards another fascinating discovery. Time to raise a glass to Britain’s most purr-fect pub crawl.
Our collection is always growing because cat pub signs have a habit of appearing when you least expect them. A country lane reveals a hidden inn. A city street unveils a freshly painted feline. An old photograph rescues a sign that vanished years ago. Every new discovery adds another chapter to this extraordinary gallery of British pub heritage.
Have you stumbled across a cat perched on an inn sign that we’ve missed? Perhaps you’ve found a historic photograph tucked inside a family album, uncovered the story behind an unusual pub name, or noticed that one of our featured pubs has unveiled a brand-new sign. We’d be delighted to hear from you.
Visit our Contact page and share your discoveries, photographs, memories or corrections. Together we can keep this collection as lively as a pub on quiz night, ensuring that these whiskered works of art continue to delight curious visitors for generations to come. After all, every great collection deserves another tail… or rather, tale.