Skip to content

Appeal to restore 'iconic' lost fingerposts

Chris McHugh
BBC News
Dorset CPRE A red, 19th century road sign is positioned in front of a muddy gateway to a field. The sign boards themselves have white lettering and point in three different directions to local villages and towns. National cycle routes are also shown on the main pole. Dorset CPRE
This fingerpost, at Horsey Knapp near Evershot, was restored by a local volunteer

A conservation group is appealing for help to restore and protect historic road signs called 'fingerposts'.

Dorset Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said the charity had paid out more than £22,000 restoring the signs, the oldest of which are thought to have been installed around the late 19th century.

It said many of the signs had been lost during World War Two after being removed to confuse an invading army.

The charity confirmed that a grant scheme was being offered to people who could restore the fingerposts using the "correct materials".

Dorset CPRE A red fingerpost is shown prior to its restoration, broken down into its parts and laid out on a workbench. The post's head reads DORSET RED POST with a grid reference number underneath ,and several cast iron bolts and panels, also in red, laid out next to it. Dorset CPRE
Dorset CPRE said many of the fingerposts had been deliberately removed during World War Two to scupper the movements of an invading army

Dorset CPRE said the fingerposts began to appear following the 1773 General Turnpike Act, which compelled "trustees" to install signs with distances for travellers.

However, it said many of the fingerposts not deliberately removed during World War Two had fallen into disrepair.

It added that of the 1300 or so fingerposts thought to exist in the 1950s, just 717 currently survive.

The organisation wants to support local 'fingerpost champions' to restore and re-install the signs around the Dorset countryside.

It said hundreds of signs had already been restored by volunteers, including one of Dorset's four distinctive red posts at Horsey Knapp near Evershot.

Neil Matthews, chair of Dorset CPRE, said the signposts value came from the fact distances, directions and grid references were included.

"[The fingerposts] are a real boon to walkers and drivers in the county", he said.

"I am pleased that Dorset CPRE are able to support this scheme which enhances the character and uniqueness of the Dorset countryside."

The group offers a small grant scheme, up to £200 per post, for people wanting to restore fingerposts using the "correct materials as set out by the Dorset National Landscape."

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

More on this story
Related Links