The Making of… The Kings Head pub sign

Photo of the Kings Head pub in Bristol — Image taken by Dan Wilkinson at Good Chemistry Brewery

The best pubs, in my humble opinion, are the ones where as you enter, you feel as though you are stepping back in time. The Kings Head is steeped in history and quirky features. It is the only pub in Bristol that is recognised as being of national importance in Camra’s Pub Heritage Listed Interiors.

The interior of the pub is lined with mahogany and a bar back built c.1865 mounted with original green enamel and gold leaf glass signage that gives an insight into what was available to purchase including ‘Cigars’, ‘Mineral Waters’ and ‘Hollands’ (Dutch Gin).

Located in central Bristol, the pub has been around since the 17th century. It survived multiple wars, including heavy destruction of the surrounding areas during the bombing of WWII and the redevelopment of the city center during the early 1970s.

After closing at the beginning of the pandemic, The Kings Head was recently handed over to the very capable hands of Good Chemistry, a local brewery in St Philips who happen to brew my favourite beer. With a keen eye for creativity and a strong sense of community spirit, they enrolled some independent craftspeople to give the old dog a new lease of life without detriment to the original features.

Handpainted text reads 'Tramcar Bar' on old mahogany boarding — Image taken by Dan Wilkinson at Good Chemistry Brewery

At the back of the pub is the ‘Tramcar Bar’, a cosy area divided by mahogany panels dating back to the Victorian times in the shape of a Tramcar. These are reminiscent of the Samuel Smith pubs of the mid-19th century found in London, which divide up space to create intimate seating areas. ‘What went on inside the screen, stayed inside the screen’ (Mark Steeds, Camra).

Image taken by Dan Wilkinson at Good Chemistry Brewery

A large glass panel painted by Fred Brean in 1860, reads ‘Burton Ales and Dublin Stout’

‘A restoration in the early 1970s saw this brought back to its finest glory having previously been covered in 16 coats of emulsion.’ (Mark Steeds, Camra)

It was this sign that gave me the inspiration for the colours used on the external signs – gold, green, cream and a warm pink. I took elements from the flourishes and also applied these to the final design.

Other features include a gas-lit cigar lighter and an old gas pressure gauge that enabled the landlord to adjust the pressure within the pub to accommodate fluctuations in the gas supply – such as when the street lights were turned on.

“There is a feature that I have never seen before. A brass fixture with slots in it that landlords used in pre-decimal times to check that their old pennies, half-crowns and florins were the genuine article: they would fit a coin into its slot and pull its outer edge down, if it bent it was counterfeit, simple as that. ”

— James MacVeigh, Bristol Pubs

How I made the Kings Head pub sign

I was delighted when Kelly from Good Chemistry asked me to paint the external signage, it felt super exciting to add to the visual history of this pub.

I started by preparing the boards with a water-based gloss emulsion paint from Little Greene. I was asked to use a typeface called ‘Arts and Crafts’, which I thickened up by adding a gold leaf outline and a block to give it a 3D effect.

Painting a traditional pub sign, white lettering on green board

After painting the body of the text in a cream 1shot enamel, I proceeded to add the block, which was painted with a warm pink and a darker red, blended with a brush.

I added a darker shadow behind to give a subtle lift of the text from the background and help it to stand out.

Hand painting a traditional pub sign using lettering enamel. Adding a shadow.

The final touch was to add the gold leaf. I used 23.5 carat gold leaf from Gold Leaf Supplies. The gold really catches the light and helps to create a highlight on the letters. The use of gold leaf was important, as it tied together the materials used inside the pub and the traditional hand made aspects which give this pub so much character.

Finally, I added several coats of varnish to tie it altogether and protect it for years to come. The gold leaf will continue to shine for many years.