Royal Mail Stamp Programme for 2026

Coinciding with the release of details about the first issue of the year, Royal Mail have set out the programme for the first half of 2026.  As last year, they have withheld details about the second half, even from cover producers who have to do a lot of research before they can start printing designs and sponsoring handstamps.

Full details of the first issue will not be published here until the embargo date of 6 January but as Royal Mail's website includes this detail, I see no reason not to share the first six months' issues with you now.  Updated 20 April with most of the rest of the programme.

Thank you to the dozen or so readers here and on Stampboards who contributed over 70 suggestions, some of them frivolous (like the set that kicked off 'reader suggestions' many years ago), many others very unlikely, but some notable anniversaries and other worthy suggestions for which we will have to await the full programme to find out whether they match.  

As with previous years, there will be many stamp issues that no-one came anywhere near guessing and some that even when they are issued we will not really understand Royal Mail's justification.

Suggestions which I don't think will make it into the second half of the programme - Centenary of the General Strike, 75th year of Europa, 50th Anniversary of Dolly the Sheep, 150th anniversary of the Bell Telephone, The Archers (long-running BBC radio soap), Birth or Death Anniversaries of Agatha Christie (although that would be an easy option as there is already a precedent for using her material), Benjamin Britten, John Constable, Henry Blogg and David Beckham. 

Other subjects which stand a reasonable chance: The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, 300th Anniversary of Fire Brigades, The King Charles Coastal Path, London Zoo.  

Thematic subjects suggested were: Theatre Buildings* - which could incorporate the National Theatre, the Royal Ballet, Royal Opera, and Royal Opera House all of which have anniversaries in 2026.  Music Giants were not given much chance, although Swedish group Abba, Freddie Mercury himself, Genesis, Gorillaz, Joy Division, Led Zeppelin, and Oasis all got a mention.  Trees were suggested both for themselves and for the National Arboretum (linking in with Remembrance), Christmas Trees at landmarks, and the Peak District National Park.  *If this comes about then the person who suggested Architecture might be in contention too!

Suggestions which might be deemed frivolous - but about which picture books have been published - include Solar power, Trademarks, and Wheelie Bins.

I think one of the problems with trying to predict is trying to remember what has happened in the not too distant past when, maybe, we took less interest in new issues.  Thus the 60th anniversary of Star Trek when that has been done to death anyway, Centenary of Winnie The Pooh ditto (although having the agreement with Disney for earlier issues might sway things), and the National Arboretum was the subject of a Commemorative Sheet.  

Anyway, for the time being, this is what we know.  My intention always is to add links to this table when the details of the issue appear in their own post, but sadly that rarely happens.  I don't mind if you nudge me, by email. 

This table has already been amended since my first draft because dates have changed and the order of some issues has been revised since we were first told.  So don't expect this to be the final even for the first half.  I've no idea when we will be able to add all the July-December details but most of the second half of the year has now been added.

UPDATE24 July: Thank you to readers for pointing out that the 29th September issue has been postponed until 1st December.  This means only one issue in July, August, September, October, but two in November and one in December - two after the Christmas issue!  Of course the need to keep the pre-Christmas period clear doesn't matter as much now because most Post Office branches are not rushed off their feet satisfying collectors, and those that don't stock special stamps won't be affected anyway.

UPDATE 16 September - the programme for the rest of the year has now been announced. Just a few more links to add when the time comes. 

Links in the table are to the main blogposts for the issue.

13th January	Stranger Things (Neflix series) Blockbuster issue with all sorts of extras
21st January	Concorde supersonic airliner  8 x 1st, 4 x 1st MS
19th February	Hornby 125th    8 x 1st, 4 x 1st MS
26th February	Roses - 50th Anniversary of the first set of stamps dedicated to this flower, which was issued on the centenary of the Royal National Rose Society
20th March	Lord of The Rings. Another blockbuster issue with all sorts of extras
26th March	New Tariff definitives
21st April	Centenary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth II 8 x 1st, 4 x 1st MS, PSB
21st May	Castles  - these, or new ones?   As it turns out, some old, some new.
23rd June	Waterfalls 5 x 1st, 5 x 2nd
9 July	Moths 5 x 1st, 5 x 2nd  Elephant Hawk Moth 2020
30 July	Military Jet Aircraft 8 x 1st and 4 x 1st miniature sheet  Avro Vulcan issued in 2018
20 August	Pets  Dog issued 2024
17 September	Music Giants 12: Duran Duran Duran Duran in New York City, 2005 By Tendai - https://www.flickr.com/photos/45624184@N00/18523842/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11877728
29  September	Postponed until 1 December
14 October	Winnie the Pooh Centenary  Winnie the Pooh from the 2010 set
3rd November	Christmas
11 November	Remembrance Poppy issued 2008
1 December	Football - Season 1  Football from the pre-Olympics 2012 set.

Another one-off error for a collector of the unusual - Football Legends 1996 - SOLD

When Royal Mail issued the Euro 96 set of five stamps in 1996 they came with all the usual associated products - presentation pack, PHQ cards etc.

But there was an extra product, a souvenir postcard book entitled Football Legends.  The normal book is widely available from dealers and on eBay. 

This contained not only the PHQ cards, bound in, but also photocards of oher legends of the game - Billy Meredith, Joe Mercer, Frank Swift, Alex James, and Pete Doherty.   These were all monochrome so no room for error.  But the PHQ-type cards have black borders and colour for the queen's head, as the stamps.  The book I'm offering has a startling mis-print.

Just one available and yours for £7.50 plus Large Letter postage £1.50 inland - payment by bank transfer on cheque.   (International postage will be at discounted rate.)

If you would like this please leave a comment and email as usual - check the comments before putting your request in.  

SOLD

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Slogan postmarks in July - and other interesting postal matters

July has started as June ended with the default Dog Awareness Week postmark so I'll start by repeating the one JM supplied last month and also show a July dated copy of the other layout, from MM.

DOG Awareness Week slogan, Inverness Mail Centre 30-06-2025

DOG Awareness Week slogan, Sheffield Mail Centre 04/07/2025

MM sent a copy of the United States Postal Service slogan for the campaign.  Australia has also used one but I haven't managed to get a good copy yet, most of them being not as good as the British ones!

Dog Bite Awareness slogan, Indianapolis 24 Jun 2025.

Update 23 July:  my thanks to RD for a much clearer example of the USPS dog slogan, from Boston

Dog Bite Awareness slogan, Boston 9 Jul 2025.

 

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British Heart Foundation default slogan postmark Cornwall Mail Centre 15/07/2025

BHF slogan Cornwall Mail Centre 15/07/2025

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Apart from various commemorations of the NHS (National Health Service) over the years, there are no other regular slogans in July, so we may have only the default British Heart Foundation for the rest of the month.

UPDATE  29 JULY - Congratulations to the Lionesses, we should see examples of this slogan tomorrow.

It's Home. Again.
Champions of Europe 2025.
England Women's
Football Squad

UPDATE 30 July 2025: Thanks to (another) IB for a couple of examples of the slogan used at Mount Pleasant Mail Centre 28-07-2025

England Women Euro 2025 Football Champions slogan used at Mount Pleasant 28-07-2025

And thanks to KD for the other layout from Gatwick Mail Centre 28/07/2025

England Women Euro 2025 Football Champions slogan used at Gatwick 28/07/2025 (colour adjusted)

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Other postmarks and postal markings

MM also sent this cover from 1982 with a Post Office label that I don't recall seeing reported at the time (or since) - but then in 1982 although curious I wasn't too interested in postal history.  (Although I kept much of what came through the post then!)

Blue Peter is a British children's television entertainment programme and is the longest-running children's TV show in the world, having been broadcast since October 1958.  An enduring feature of the programme is the annual charity appeal, which asks viewers to collect items that can be recycled or sold to raise money for the chosen cause. For example, in 1973–74, Blue Peter sponsored a "Stampede", asking people to donate postage stamps in support of Ethiopian famine relief.  

In 1981 the appeal was for postage stamps and pre-decimal and foreign coins for Operation Pipeline, which provided 150 Javanese villages with pure water systems and health care services. 

The delay in the delivery of this item is very much
regretted.  Unfortunately it was missorted into the
Blue Peter Pipeline Appeal bag and has only now
been returned to the Post Office by the organisers
of the appeal.

Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience
caused to you as a result of this unfortunate error. 

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Dyffryn circular date stamp

Dyffyrn Post Office 14 JL 25 circular date stamp
Dyffryn Ardudwy 14 July 2025

 

There is a Dyffryn in Cardiff, but this one - Dyffryn Ardudwy in full - is in Gwynedd, north of Barmouth.  It's a small village astride the Welsh main coast road (A 496) between Barmouth and Porthmadog; as you can see, navigating the village as a pedestrian is hazardous!   The Google streetview is from 2018 and the shop is now branded Onestop.

Google street view 2018.

One Stop - Fox's Stores of Dyffryn, Google 2024.

 

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Update 23 July

MM has sent this image of a surcharged letter with a large REUSED STAMP handstamp.  I feel it is one that we ought to have seen before, but I can't find another image in my files.

Unfortunately we don't know when or where it was applied; from the limited address (only a part-cover was received) it may be south eat Essex;  the stamp is coded M14L but again that doesn't mean that it is that old.  But of course Machins are no longer valid, so it is quite likely that this pre-dates the invalidation.

Large 'Reused Stamp' handstamp, unfortunately undated and office of use unknown. 

 

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Post Office and Royal Mail pictures 

Lars Tåders has sent some photos from his travels which may be of interest to readers.

The first is of the vehicles at Royal Mail's Dartford Delivery Office (on a Sunday which is why they aren't out delivering.) 

Royal Mail delivery vans at the Dartford Delivery Office (June 2025) [Credit Lars Tåders]

Post Office branches

Mundesley Norfolk and Springbourne, Bournemouth.

Village Post Office at Mundesley, Norfolk (June 2025) [Credit Lars Tåders]

Branch Post Office at Springbourne, Bournemouth. (June 2025) [Credit Lars Tåders]

 

 

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Remember, all postmarks appearing in July will be added to this post, so check here before you spend time scanning and emailing.

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August Slogan Postmarks - and other postmark news

August is off to a flying start following the victory of the England Women's Football Team in the European Championships final against Germany on Sunday.

Publicity image of Slogan postmark for England - Women's European Football Champions

"Following England women’s spectacular 2-1 win against Germany at Wembley Stadium last night, that saw them crowned European Women Football Champions, Royal Mail will be applying a special congratulatory postmark to stamped mail from Monday 1 August to Saturday 6 August."

Congratulations
England!
Women's European
Football Champions
31 July 2022

 

It's just about possible that mail processed Sunday night might have the 31 July postmark - please let me know if you have seen one.

First pictures from JE, who also writes:   "I doubt whether any mail would have been processed on Sunday night with this slogan.  Engineers have to download thee slogan at a change of shift, and Preston
(for example) does not sort mail on Sunday nights.  I understand Saturday's postings are cancelled and sorted on Saturday afternoon, and inward mail (from other Mail Centres which should not need cancelling anyway) is sorted on a Sunday morning shift, ready for Monday delivery."

Congratulations England! slogans from Preston (Lancashire and South Lakes), and Edinburgh Mail Centres.

The top picture is on a DL envelope and so in four lines; the centre picture is on a c5 envelope and should be 5 lines but the lower line and datastring are missing.

UPDATE 7 August: Some more pictures of the Football postmark.  First from MM showing the reverse format on square envelopes.  M asks if the wavy lines are too close together, but that is deliberate to avoid the barcode.  Tyneside NE/SR 03/08/2022

Congratulations England! slogans from Tyneside NE/SR Mail Centre 03/08/2022.

The alternative format on a letter from me to a customer, postmarked Norwich 01-08-2022   Also cancelled with the Dereham CDS producing a particularly nice 54p (catalogued £1.50 vfu). Another exaample of "use it or burn it" as we clear stocks of Machins.

Swap-out cover from Norwich Mail Centre with Congratulations England! slogan 01-08-2022

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UPDATE 9 August: now that the football and the Commonwealth Games are over, Royal Mail is starting its campaign to publicise the end of stamps as we know them and urging people to use them up.

I expect this slogan to be used nationwide for long periods from now until the end of the year, interrupted by significant events, such as Christmas.  This is one that we received on mail this morning, from Preston Mail Centre, 08/08/2022.

Use up your
non-barcoded stamps
by 31 January 2023
Or swap them out for
new barcoded ones
visit
royalmail.com/barcodedstamps

Barcoded stamps slogan, Lancashire and South Lakes (Preston) 08/08/2022

UPDATE 17 August: thanks for other examples sent during the week.  This one from BM from Swindon also 08-08-2022.

Barcoded stamps slogan, Swindon, 08/08/2022

Then there is the reversed format from Tyneside (10/08/2022) - and a normal one - both unnecessarily on envelopes with printed (digital) stamps.  Thanks MM for these.

Barcoded stamps slogan, Tyneside NE/SR, 10/08/2022

Reverse Barcoded stamps slogan, Tyneside NE/SR, 10/08/2022

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OTHER POSTMARK NEWS

Thanks to a Bournemouth member of the Stampboards forum, we learnt that Post Office Ltd has introduced a new style of counter date stamp.  Still self-inking, this appears to be similar in operation to the one I use for putting the return address on envelopes, but it also has wheels to change the date.

Thanks to the kind people at Boscombe East post office, I can show both devices and the impressions they produce.

Boscombe East PO self-inking metal-framed datestamp (right) and new type with Morse Code border.

Boscombe East PO new type of datestamp with Morse Code border.

In Morse, the border spells out the letters of Post Office, although Morse purists would argue that there should be bigger spaces between the letters than between the elements in each letter.

The SPM writes: We are indeed one of the first offices to trial the new date stamp, there’s not been many changes over the years but from the ‘bang bang to the SID and now to the ‘stamper’.  The name is a little small, and there is no town shown. And the date is one piece, so will only last as long as it lasts. Three separate reels would be better.  (But it might not last that long!)

Let us know if you see any others, please.

UPDATE 17 August:  According to RW the existing datestamps at Paignton only go to 2022 so their replacements may be like these. 

On the other hand, as this is a trial, there may be trials of other devices taking place at other offices. Apparently this device costs just under £50, whereas for the metal ones Post Office charges SPMs over £100.  But how long will they last under pressure?  

My old postmaster had a new SID supplied for his Outreach activities and it fell apart in less than two years: he refused to buy a new one and continues to use the old single-ring datestamp 'on the road', while the older double-ring datestamp is used in the office.

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Isle of Skye

Although it isn't strictly news, it's not often that we get to see postmarks from Scotland's islands, so here is an example from Staffin, Isle of Skye.  Staffin is in the far north-east of the island, about 15 miles north of Portree. 

Staffin, Isle of Skye, counter date stamp 13 August 2022.

This is the place where all news about August postmarks - provided by readers or discovered by us - will be posted.  Please check back and refresh the page before sending anything which may have already been sent since you last looked: this will save you time scanning and writing.  Variants on postmarks already shown are also welcome.

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August slogan postmarks

Almost half-way through August and no new slogan postmarks have been reported.

The last one for July, the Jack Charlton commemoration, was supposed to run until 9 August so if anybody has an August version I will gladly add it here.  Meanwhile, thanks to snail-mail correspondent RM in Swindon who sent this example from Swindon Mail Centre on 23 July 2020.

 

UPDATE 13 August
Only a few hours after posting this I was sent an example from Dublin Mails Centre dated 10.08.20, thanks to RL:

JG sent an indistinct example from Peterborough, but in the post today a letter from TB which has a superb example from Warrington Mail Centre dated 06-08-2020.

Update 18 August
Thanks to PC in Suffolk, we can now show the alternative layout, this time from Tyneside Mail Centre dated 07/08/2020.

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Handstamps

With a significant amount of mail - machineable and non-machineable - not being postmarked these days, handstamps are not seen as often as they used to be.  JF sent this one from NORTHERN IRELAND MAIL CENTRE of 10 AUG 2020, and we received some new stamps posted at Enquiry Office Norwich on 06 AUG 2020, with postcode NR1 1AA.

 

UPDATE 26 August
This one was given to me by a neighbour recently.  I forgot to ask where it was from, but I think we can agree that (a) it is postmarked!, (b) it is illegible, (c) it is so well inked that the codes on the stamp are impossible to see - but it IS postmarked.  I think it was too thick for the machine, and so - for a change - was properly cancelled, rather than pen-cancelled.

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If you have anything new in the way of other mail centre slogans, or other interesting machine or hand-struck postmarks:

This is your space!

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