Timeline of Key Dates
Throughout the centuries, the basic practice of a messenger carrying mail from sender to recipient has remained virtually unchanged.
Choose a Century, Decade or Year to find out how Britain's postal service developed.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| Jan 18801880 - Tricylces first used on deliveries | Tricylces are first used to deliver the mail in Coventry. ![]() |
| Aug 18831883 - Parcels Post introduced | The Post Office introduces the Parcels Post. ![]() |
| Jan 18841884 - Vote granted to more men | The Representation of the People Act gives the vote to larger numbers of working class men in England and Wales. |
| Oct 18841884 - 0 degrees longitude established | Greenwich, London, is established as 0 degrees longitude. Image: Navigational Chart of English Channel - stamp from Centenary of Greenwich Meridian issue, 26 June 1984 ![]() |
| Jan 18871887 - Horse-drawn mail service begins | The Post Office re-introduces a horse-drawn mail service to use in conjunction with the transport of mail on the railways. ![]() |





