The famous Land’s End sign in Cornwall is set to be removed after 66 years to mark the ‘end of an era’.
The landmark showing mainland Britain’s most south-westerly point has seen hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to pose beside it since it was erected in the 1950s.
Land’s End has decided not to renew its contract with the local company that put the sign up.
Penzance-based photo processing company Courtwood Photographic has held a contract and owned the signpost for almost seven decades.
A photographer who snapped visitors at the iconic signpost for 28 years, Peter Puddiphatt, has decided to retire at the age of 79, as there will be ‘no more Courtwoods signpost to have a photo with’.
Peter Puddiphatt, a photographer who snapped visitors at the iconic signpost for 28 years has retired aged 79
Chris Evans, Gary Barlow, James May and Professor Brian Cox launch FAB1 Million by driving from Land’s End to John O’Groats on April 18, 2013
Peter had his final day on Thursday. During his time there, he has taken pictures of several celebrities at the signpost, including Chris Evans, Gary Barlow, James May, Professor Brian Cox, Geri Halliwell, Davina McCall and Dawn French.
Peter has met hundreds of fundraisers including those pushing beds, walking backwards, and sometimes wearing nothing at all.
He wrote on Facebook: ‘End of an era! After 66 years, Land’s End have not renewed their contract with Courtwoods of Penzance for 2024. So, from 31st December 2023 there will be no more Courtwoods signpost to have a photo with.
‘My last shift today, after a total of 28 years, 1979 to 84 and 2000 to 2023. I’ve always called it my fun job. You meet some very interesting people, lots of celebrities, and always the fabulous views over Land’s End to enjoy.’
He continued: ‘Breathtaking sunsets, beautiful cloud effects and all the big storms. I have seen so much wildlife, including a humpback whale, in Dollar Cove.
‘Sadly we don’t see the basking sharks that we did in past years, but now see the huge bluefin tuna instead. Great memories! I have been fortunate to have had three of my granddaughters work various summer seasons alongside me, and this year my daughter-in-law.’
Olympic gold medal sailor and the first London 2012 torchbearer, Ben Ainslee, poses for a photograph beside the Lands End sign on May 19, 2012
James Cracknell during his 2011-Ride Across Britain
Wendy Lewis 19 is congratulated by Sir Billy Butlin for being the first woman to finish the Butlin Marathon Walk from John O’ Groats to Land’s End
Signpost at Land’s End, Cornwall, showing the distance to other destinations around the world
Ffyona Campbell at the end of her charity walk from John O’Groats to Lands End
England cricketer Ian Botham (far right) celebrates with cricket journalist Chris Lander, John Border (Allan Border’s brother) and Manchester hairdresser Phil Rance on reaching Land’s End after walking from John O’Groats to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund, on November 29, 1985
People pose beside the landmark in Cornwall. Land’s End has decided not to renew its contract with the local company that put the sign up
Land’s End was the start point of the 2012 summer Olympic torch relay.
The distance by road from the landmark to John O’ Groats in Caithness, Scotland – the northernmost point in mainland Britain – is 874 miles.
A spokesperson for Land’s End has since confirmed that a signpost will remain at the landmark and will be operated by Land’s End itself.
They said: ‘We are investing significant amounts in the refurbishment of the signpost area and how this will be operated moving forward, but there will most certainly still be a photo opportunity at the iconic signpost available for our visitors.’
It is not yet clear if it will be the same signpost and how this will be operated from 2024.