Brown signs with white lettering and symbols point to tourist attractions, from castles and gardens to zoos and heritage railways.
They exist so that visitors do not stop and hesitate at junctions looking for an unfamiliar destination.
What this sign means
The destination is a tourist or leisure attraction rather than a town or a road number.
Symbols on the sign show the type of attraction, such as a castle, a viewpoint or a picnic site.
What to do when you see it
Use the sign to plan your turn early, especially on a busy road.
- Read the symbol and name as you approach, not at the junction.
- Signal in good time for the turn.
- Expect other visitors slowing and hesitating nearby.
- Watch for coaches and towed caravans on attraction approaches.
How this sign is tested
Questions test colour recognition, with brown as the tourist colour among blue, green and white options.
Some questions use the symbols to check comprehension of pictograms.
Common mistakes
Mistaking brown for a warning colour when it is purely informational.
Turning late because the sign was read only at the junction itself.
Test yourself on this one
Road and traffic signs is the biggest category in the question bank with 102 questions, and signs turn up inside other categories too. Work through them free, no sign-up needed.
Practise road sign questionsFrequently asked questions
What do brown road signs mean?
They direct you to tourist attractions and places of interest.
Who decides where brown signs go?
The highway authority approves them, and the attraction usually pays for them.
Do brown signs guarantee the attraction is open?
No. They only show the route.