here can be few things that encapsulate the English culture quite as perfectly as the inn sign. The inn sign has stood proudly along the British roadside for nearly 2000 years, although it is only in recent years that it has been recognised as an art form, typifying what is quintessentially British. The last couple of decades has seen the emergence of various books and magazine articles - not to say a growing number of web sites - expressing the depth of culture lying hidden in the picture displayed.

Such has been the interest generated by the inn sign that a number of people have commissioned Martin Ensell to paint their very own sign to display in their homes, with customers coming from as far afield as the United States, Australia and New Zealand. As well as being a work of art of which no two examples are the same, an inn sign can be customised to say everything about you, your family, and your family's history, or can even be used to symbolise something or somebody special to you. It can also become both a prized family heirloom and conversation piece.

Though much of the emphasis has been placed on traditional double-sided swinging pub signs for commercial trade, Martin has also seen the development of the inn sign as an art form, and a resulting steady growth in requests for interior single-sided signs for the home.