Icons of England

The ICONS project aims to paint a virtual portrait of England through an exploration of everything that we cherish in our culture, from Stonehenge to the humble cup of tea.

You can visit the ICONS Online website at www.icons.org.uk to nominate your own icons and cast votes for or against a list of nominations compiled by the public.

There are many parts of postal heritage that could be considered 'icons'... the Penny Black, the Machin design (the Queen's head on today's stamps, probably the most reproduced portrait in human history), or the pillar box (but which type?). Many of the things which have successfully made it on the list of icons have featured on postage stamps. We have taken a look at some of the successful nominations, and found stamps in our collections that feature, or are linked to them.

Simply click on the images below to find out which icons have featured on British stamps over the years.

ICONS - A Portrait of England has been commissioned by Culture Online, part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Image of English Weather

English Weather

One of the most common things that tourists comment on when visiting England is the weather...


Image of FA Cup

FA Cup

Surprisingly, the FA Cup has never appeared on a British stamp, but football certainly has...


Image of Fish & Chips

Fish & Chips

The British tradition of eating fish and chips goes back to the early 19th Century...


Image of Fox Hunting and the Ban

Fox Hunting and the Ban

A controversial subject, fox hunting and the ban has been nominated as an icon of England...


Image of Globe Theatre

Globe Theatre

When you think of William Shakespeare you think of three main things...


Image of Guy Fawkes Night

Guy Fawkes Night

Remember, remember the fifth of November. Gunpowder, treason and plot...


Image of Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall

Construction began on Hadrian's Wall in AD 122 and it took the best part of a decade to complete...


Image of Hay Wain

Hay Wain

John Constable, one of Britain's most celebrated artists, finished painting The Hay Wain in 1821...


Image of HMS Victory

HMS Victory

The HMS Victory, built between 1759 and 1765, is the oldest naval ship still in commission...


Image of Holbein's Portrait of Henry VIII

Holbein's Portrait of Henry VIII

One of the most famous images of the most famous of kings: Hans Holbein's portrait of Henry VIII...



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