Features / history
The origins of the Gill Sans typeface on a Bristol shopfront
Balloons, the bridge and Banksy. All mentioned on the Great Bristol Run 2026 medals and so far, so typical.
But look closer and there is something else: ‘From the Bristol Flower to the origins of the Gill Sans typeface’
A closer look reveals an intriguing bit of Bristol history – photo: Martin Booth
The flower of Bristol is officially the lychnis chalcedonica, whose red colour produced dyes later adopted by the University of Bristol for its academic hoods.
But what about that typeface?
Along with Ribena, chocolate bars and tarmac roads, the Gill Sans typeface has its origins in Bristol.
Gill Sans’ origins are thanks to sculptor, typographer and printmaker, Eric Gill (whose sexual abuse of two of his daughters must not be forgotten).
In 1926, Gill was asked by a friend to paint a sign for his new shop on Charlotte Street, just off Park Street.
The bespoke lettering above the eponymous shop of bookseller and printer Douglas Cleverdon was spotted a year later by Stanley Morison of the Monotype Corporation who asked Gill to develop it as a full typeface which became Gill Sans.
Douglas Cleverdon was located on the corner of Charlotte Street and Hill Street, and destroyed in the Blitz – photo courtesy of Clay & Fire
Until recently, the site of the shop was the entrance of Vincenzo’s restaurant.
That has since sadly been demolished and replaced by a block of (who would have thought it?) student accommodation.
18 Charlotte Street is in fact one of the most luxurious blocks of student accommodation in Bristol, with a one-bed apartment currently being advertised for £615 per week.
On the outside of 18 Charlotte Street is a nod to the world famous typeface that had its modest origins here.
This was the site of Douglas Cleverdon’s shop – photo: Martin Booth
Oliver Kent’s Clay & Fire blog made the best guess as to the location of Douglas Clverdon when Vincenzo’s occupied the site – image: Oliver Kent
Sit in Boston Tea Party on the opposite side of the road to get the best view of the words that now form a permanent feature of 18 Charlotte Street.
‘The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog’
As you already know, this phrase contains every letter of the alphabet. Perfect therefore for showcasing the Gill Sans typeface in all of its glory.
Charlotte Street connects Park Street with Brandon Hill – photo: Martin Booth
Find out more hidden histories and quirky corners of Bristol on a walking tour of the Old City and Castle Park with Martin Booth. For more information and to book, visit www.yuup.co/experiences/explore-bristol-s-quirkiest-corners
Main photo: Martin Booth
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