Pillar of Salt

Pillar of Salt in Bury St Edmunds (Suffolk, in the West Suffolk district) is a road sign from the 1930s that now holds a place on the National Heritage List for England. It stands on Angel Hill, a few steps from the medieval Abbey Gate, and looks far more like a piece of modern sculpture than a street sign. The name refers to the white, column-like shape of the sign, not to any connection with salt.

What is the Pillar of Salt?

The sign was designed in 1935 by Basil Oliver, who worked as architect for the town council. It is built from whitewashed concrete and metal in the International Modern style. A broad octagonal pier forms the base, and box-framed signs project from it in three directions.

A plaque at its foot says it was the first internally lit road sign in the country. Getting it approved took a compromise. Its lettering was taller than the new national standard introduced in 1933, and in June 1935 the Ministry of Transport agreed to letters five inches high.

Is it a listed building?

Yes. Historic England listed it at Grade II in 1998 under entry number 1376516. The listing text stresses its individual design and sets it apart from the road signs being standardised across Britain at the time.

Where is it and how do you get there?

You will find it on Angel Hill in the centre of Bury St Edmunds, at roughly 52.245 N, 0.716 E. From the Cornhill market area it is a short walk. Nearby you can see:

• the Abbey Gate, whose current form dates from the 14th century, after townspeople destroyed the original gateway in riots in 1327,
• the ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund and the Abbey Gardens,
• St Edmundsbury Cathedral and the Angel Hotel.

Trains run to Bury St Edmunds from Cambridge and Ipswich, and drivers arrive via the A14. Parking in the centre is paid, so leave the car in a town car park and explore on foot.

When should you visit?

The sign is outdoors, free and open to view at any hour. Morning and late afternoon give the best light for photographs, when the white form stands out against the surrounding brick buildings. Angel Hill also hosts markets and seasonal events, including the Christmas fair, so check the town's events calendar.

How much time do you need?

Looking at the sign takes 5 to 10 minutes. Combine it with a walk around the abbey grounds and nearby streets and you have about two hours.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Pillar of Salt relate to Lot's wife in the Bible? No. The nickname describes the look of the white column. The sign is the work of a local architect from 1935.

Who designed it? Basil Oliver, architect to Bury St Edmunds town council.

Is there an entry fee? No. It stands in an open square and can be seen at any time.

Is the sign still illuminated? Its historic importance lies in being internally lit. Whether the light works on a given day depends on maintenance, but the structure itself is a protected monument.