English Heritage has raised concerns that the tradition of sending postcards could become a "distant nostalgic memory." This warning comes after a survey conducted by OnePoll in June revealed that over half of Brits reported they never send postcards. The charity aims to revive this holiday custom by offering free limited edition postcards to children visiting 18 of its sites this summer.
Free Postcards to Revive a Dying Tradition
On July 10, 2026, Matt Thompson, the conservation, curatorial and learning director at English Heritage, expressed sadness over the potential disappearance of postcard sending. The charity's initiative includes postcards designed by renowned authors and illustrators Nick Sharratt and Sir Quentin Blake. Sharratt stated, "I wanted my designs to be the kind of thing a child would want to pick up and perhaps keep, but even more inspire that first trip to the postbox."
Blake, known for illustrating works by Roald Dahl, added, "In the days of knights in armour they didn’t have postcards, so I do hope children enjoy mine and send him on to someone special." This initiative is part of a broader effort to rekindle interest in the once-popular practice of sending postcards.
Declining Sales and Cultural Significance
The postcard industry has seen a dramatic decline, with sales dropping from 12 million cards annually in the 1960s and 1970s to about 3 million cards in recent years, as noted by Graeme Wolford of Judges, the UK’s last surviving postcard business. Wolford highlighted a shift in the industry, explaining that postcards have evolved into collectible items and mini art forms.
Despite the decline, summer remains a peak season for postcard sales, particularly for designs that evoke nostalgia. Wolford mentioned, "We still see a higher demand for postcards in summer and there’s definitely been an increase in demand for those nostalgic seaside designs."
Historical Insights from Postcard Collections
English Heritage has also acquired a collection of approximately 800 historical postcards of Dover Castle, compiled by the site’s former head custodian, Pat Cunningham, over decades. Visitors will have the opportunity to view a selection of these postcards on July 18. Grace Parsonage, assistant curator for the South East at English Heritage, stated, "It’s been a real treat to work through this remarkable collection, alongside our volunteers, to record and transcribe these messages from the past."
The postcards offer a glimpse into the lives of their senders, with messages that range from holiday fun to practical requests. One postcard from 1906 expressed a sender's "hope the eggs will arrive quite safe," while another from 1914 requested, "please send my clean vest." These personal anecdotes highlight the unique role postcards played in communication before the digital age.
- Postcards introduced in Britain: 1870
- Peak postcard usage: 800 million sent annually by 1910
- Current annual postcard sales: Approximately 3 million
English Heritage’s new postcards are also available at several other historic sites, including:
- Audley End, House and Gardens - Essex
- 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield - East Sussex
- Beeston Castle - Cheshire
- Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens - Northumberland
- Bolsover Castle - Derbyshire
- Brodsworth Hall and Gardens - South Yorkshire
- Carisbrooke Castle - Isle of Wight
- Eltham Palace and Gardens - London
- Framlingham Castle - Suffolk
- Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden - Warwickshire
- Osborne - Isle of Wight
- Pendennis Castle - Cornwall
- Scarborough Castle - North Yorkshire
- Stonehenge - Wiltshire
- Walmer Castle and Gardens - Kent
- Whitby Abbey - North Yorkshire
- Wrest Park - Bedfordshire
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC Entertainment. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
