Historic Images Gallery

Grasshopper sign JRU01_01_106

Martins Bank, Lombard Street, City of London. Looking east along Great George Street towards Big Ben and Parliament Square, with pedestrians on the pavement in the foreground, photographed 1950-1953.
The sign of the grasshopper was the crest of the Gresham family, and was used to distinguish the house of Thomas Gresham in Lombard Street in the 16th century. Gresham was a financier to Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, and founder of the Royal Exchange. The sign bears Gresham's initials and the date 1563; it is believed he traded at the site from this date. The freehold of the Grasshopper, later numbered 68 Lombard Street, was purchased by John Martin in the 1740s. Martins Bank was demolished and rebuilt in 1930. The bank remained at the site until it merged with Barclays in 1969; the grasshopper was still hung outside 68 Lombard Street into the 21st century. It is believed that 68 Lombard Street is the longest continuous use of business premises as a bank

© Historic England Archive

Skipton High Street AA58_00210

HIGH STREET, SKIPTON, CRAVEN, NORTH YORKSHIRE. A view from Caroline Square looking north along the High Street, showing the shops on either side

© Historic England Archive

1950s, High Street, Shops, Street Scene

Stopping at the Inn MOT01_01_50

Halse Lane, Winsford, West Somerset. A woman on a horse on Halse Lane watched by three people and a dog outside the Royal Oak Inn.
The Royal Oak Inn was part of the Acland Estate until 1926. At the estate's auction, the inn was acquired by the People's Refreshments Houses Association, whose sign can be seen on the left of this photograph

© Historic England Archive