Timeline of Key Dates
Throughout the centuries, the basic practice of a messenger carrying mail from sender to recipient has remained virtually unchanged.
Choose a Century, Decade or Year to find out how Britain's postal service developed.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| Jan 18971897 - Free telegram delivery extended | Telegrams are now delivered free within a radius of 3 miles, rather than the previous 1 mile. |
| Jan 18971897 - Bicycles purchased for deliveries | Bicycles are purchased for use by postmen and boy messengers. Image: Postman on a Bicycle, 1890s-1920s (2010-0426/20)  |
| Jan 18971897 - Steam power mail vans trialled | The Post Office also trials the use of a steam powered van for delivery of mail. |
| Jan 18981898 - Petrol-powered vehicles tested | The Post Office experiments with petrol-powered vehicles for mail delivery. |
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Mail Rail exhibition
An exhibition of photographs capturing the entire Mail Rail network
Mail Rail ran from 1927 to 2003. These images show the hidden network that still lies beneath London.
