Chas
View profileFor much of my life, postboxes barely registered in my awareness. They were simply functional objects—painted red and used to post a letter. It wasn’t until I moved to London that my perspective began to change. Growing up in Yorkshire, exploring anything of interest meant travelling miles. In London, history and curiosity are close at hand—often just a short journey by bus or Underground. I discovered Geocaching, which took me, my wife, and our dogs to many interesting places. Through the same platform, I found Waymarking, which appealed even more as it combined exploration with learning. One subject that stood out was Victorian postboxes. These early pillar boxes, especially those bearing the cipher of Queen Victoria, captured my interest. They represent the beginnings of the UK’s postal system, and I still think her cipher is the most attractive. When I retired in 2014, the Freedom Pass allowed me to travel freely. I set a goal to visit every station on the London Underground. Many had postboxes nearby, though not all were Victorian, so some were passed by. Around that time, I discovered a project by Historic England to photograph listed buildings. I was surprised to learn that many Victorian postboxes are listed, including the distinctive Penfold postboxes. Though listings are brief, they ensure protection. More recently, I found the UK Postbox app, which lets me upload my photos and add information. As getting out becomes harder, this helps me stay engaged. For enthusiasts, The Postal Museum is well worth a visit. I remember visiting the Mount Pleasant Mail Centre in the 1960s and seeing the underground mail railway. I never imagined I’d later ride it myself on the restored Mail Rail.