Ghostsigns Walking Tour

Whispers of advertising past are the focus of this walking tour through Stoke Newington, taking in some of London's best ghostsigns (fading advertisements painted on walls). These are used to explore local, craft and advertising history through their unique stories and survival against the odds. Other points of interest, such as a Banksy survivor and a lethal alleyway, are also included.

After the tour you will start to spot ghostsigns everywhere you go with a heightened appreciation of their history and place in the contemporary urban streetscape. While photos are useful for documenting ghostsigns before they are lost, nothing compares to seeing them 'in the flesh'. This tour includes some of London's best examples, the stories behind them, and an introduction to the topic in more general terms.

Tour guide Sam Roberts is a lifelong Stoke Newington resident and ghostsigns obsessive who has been researching them since he first noticed them in 2006. Since that time he has become a leading international commentator on ghostsigns and hand-painted signs in general. Sam’s Ghostsigns blog has now amassed over 500 blog posts and, in 2010, he curated the national History of Advertising Trust Ghostsigns Archive. His written and photographic work has appeared in titles such as Creative Review, The Independent, Eye and Ultrabold, in addition to various books. Sam regularly speaks on the topic and advises other researchers in their own work.