How to guide

Posted on July 13, 2026July 13, 2026 by Laura Kay — Leave a comment

Everything You Need to Know About Yacht Burgees

A yacht burgee may be a small detail, but it can say a great deal about your vessel, your identity, and the impression you want to make on the water. More than just a decorative flag, a burgee is a simple and traditional way to show pride, affiliation, and personality. Whether you are representing a yacht club, a business, an event, or your own vessel, a well-made custom burgee brings a smart and distinctive finishing touch.

What Is a Yacht Burgee?

A burgee is a small flag, usually triangular or swallow-tailed, flown from a yacht to show membership, ownership, or association. It has a long maritime history and was originally used to help identify vessels from a distance. Today, it remains an important and recognisable part of sailing culture, often used to represent yacht clubs, organisations, events, or personal boat identity.

Why Choose a Custom Burgee?

A custom burgee gives you the chance to show your identity in a way that feels both professional and personal. Instead of using a standard design, you can create something that reflects your yacht, club, or brand more clearly. It can help you stand out at marinas, regattas, and events, while also adding a sense of tradition and pride to your vessel.

Choosing the Right Size

Size plays an important part in how a burgee looks and performs. If it is too large, it can overwhelm the boat, and if it is too small, it may not be clearly seen. The right size usually depends on the mast height, boat length, and where the burgee will be flown. Standard sizes are often the most practical choice because they help create the right balance and follow traditional flag etiquette.

A burgee of 15″ in the fly (the horizontal measurement) should look appropriate on vessels up to 34ft. This increases to 18″ for up to 42ft, 24″ for up to 50ft and 30″ up to 60 ft.

Refference: RYA

Double Sided, Sewn, Yacht Burgee

Selecting the Best Material

Because a burgee is exposed to wind, salt, and sunlight, the choice of fabric matters. Knitted polyester is lightweight and cost-effective, making it ideal for general recreational use.

Woven Polyester is a more traditional material, allowing more hand sewn elements to be included, and embroidery.

England and Union Flags with flagpole on rooftop

Sewn Yacht Burgee

Single-Sided or Double-Sided?

This is one of the main choices to make when ordering a custom burgee. A single-sided burgee is lighter, more economical, and suitable for most everyday uses, with the design appearing in reverse on the back.

A double-sided burgee shows the design correctly on both sides and gives a heavier, more premium finish, which can be especially useful for corporate branding, clubs, or situations where presentation is especially important.

Quality, Presentation, and Performance

At Hampshire Flag Company, the focus is on creating custom yacht burgees that not only look smart but also perform well in real marine conditions. With UK-based manufacturing, durable materials, standard yacht sizes, and a choice of finishing options, each burgee is designed to be both attractive and dependable. It may be a small feature, but it can say a great deal about who you are, where you belong, and what you represent on the water.

Where Should a Burgee Be Flown?

Traditionally, a burgee is flown from the masthead, although it may also be displayed from the starboard spreader or, on some motor vessels, from a bow staff. Correct placement helps the burgee remain visible while also following accepted maritime etiquette, which adds to the overall sense of professionalism and tradition.

Posted on June 16, 2026July 13, 2026 by Laura Kay — Leave a comment

Union Flag Etiquette: A Simple Guide to Flying Your Flag Correctly

Flying the Union Flag is a simple way to show pride, but many people are unsure about the rules. The good news is that proper etiquette is straightforward once you know the basics. This guide explains how to display the Union Flag respectfully, from getting the orientation right to understanding where it should sit when flown alongside other flags.

Whether the flag is being flown at home, outside a business, or during a public event, a few key conventions help ensure it is treated with dignity. Below is a practical, easy-to-read overview based on established UK flag protocol.

What is the Union Flag?

The national flag of the United Kingdom is the Union Flag, often also called the Union Jack. Its design brings together the crosses of St George, St Andrew and St Patrick, reflecting the history of the nations within the Union. The current version dates from 1801, and because of its asymmetrical design, it can be displayed the wrong way up. According to UK protocol, the flag is recognised by long-established custom and practice rather than a specific Flag Act.

Union Full Mast gold finial bob weight

The two most important Union Flag etiquette rules

1. The Union Flag should always be displayed in a dignified way.
It should not appear in a position of lesser importance than another national flag, and it should never be used casually as a table covering, seat cover, or draped across barriers and platforms.

2. It should also be kept clean and in good condition.
Flying a damaged, faded or soiled flag is considered disrespectful. When a flag is no longer fit for display, it should be disposed of in a respectful and dignified manner.

When and how to fly the Union Flag

In the UK, the Union Flag may be flown on any day of the year. Government buildings are encouraged to fly it regularly, and private individuals can also display it without needing permission in most cases, although flagpole rules may still apply.

Flags are usually flown from sunrise to sunset. They can also be flown at night, provided they are properly illuminated.

When raising and lowering the flag, a respectful approach matters. It should be hoisted smartly and lowered carefully, without letting it touch the ground.

Before flying the flag, check that it is clean, untorn and correctly attached. Small details like this make a big difference to respectful presentation.

If the aim is purely decorative rather than ceremonial, bunting or other lower-status decorative flags are usually a better choice than using the Union Flag loosely or informally.

Position of honour: flying the Union Flag with other flags

When displayed with other flags, the Union Flag normally takes the position of honour. In the UK order of precedence, Royal Standards come first, followed by the Union Flag, then the host nation flag, other national flags, and then regional or local flags.

If the Union Flag is flown with the flags of other nations, each flag should be the same size or at least the same width, and each should be flown from a separate flagpole of equal height wherever possible. As a rule, the senior British national flag should be raised first and lowered last, unless all flags are moved together.

England and Union Flags with flagpole on rooftop

What are the common mistakes to avoid?

The most common mistakes are flying the flag upside down, displaying it when it is worn or dirty, or placing it in an inferior position next to another flag. Keep those basics in mind and you will be following the spirit of Union Flag etiquette: simple, respectful and dignified.

How to tell if the Union Jack Flag is Upsidedown

In the half of the flag nearest the flagpole, the wider white diagonal stripe should sit above the red diagonal stripe. If that wider white stripe is below the red one, the flag is inverted.

Comparison of Union Jack correct way to fly

Posted on April 14, 2026June 15, 2026 by Laura Kay — Leave a comment

How to Install a Flagpole: A Complete Guide from Hampshire Flag Company

Whether you are flying the Union Flag outside your business premises, displaying sponsor branding at a sports venue or adding a statement feature to a civic building, a properly installed flagpole makes all the difference. At Hampshire Flag Company, we have been installing flagpoles across the UK and internationally since 1981. As a three-generation family business, we have seen just about every installation scenario there is. In this guide we walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing the right pole and getting your foundations right to knowing when to call in the professionals.

Choosing the Right Flagpole

Before anything goes in the ground, you need to select the right flagpole for your site and application. The key decisions are:

Height: We supply and install flagpoles from 4m to 20m and above. The right height depends on the size of your site, the flags you intend to fly and any planning or building regulations that apply to your location.
Material: Tapered glassfibre is the most common choice for commercial and civic installations. It is lightweight, corrosion-resistant and low maintenance.
Halyard system: External halyard systems use a rope and cleat on the outside of the pole and are straightforward to operate. Internal halyard systems route the rope inside the pole for a cleaner appearance and added security, making them popular for corporate and public-facing locations.
Mounting type: Ground-mounted poles are the most common, installed either into a hinged base plate or directly into a ground socket. Wall-mounted poles are fixed to a building facade and are ideal where ground space is limited. In this guide however, we will be primarily focusing on ground mounted flagpole installations.

How to Install a Ground-Mounted Flagpole with a Hinged Base Plate

Our 4m to 12m glassfibre flagpoles use a hinged base plate system, which makes erecting and lowering the pole significantly easier than a fixed socket installation. Here is a step-by-step guide to the full process:

1. Dig the foundation.
The size of the hole depends on the height of your flagpole. Use the table below as your guide. Always check for underground services before digging.

Flagpole Height	Foundation Width	Foundation Depth

4m to 6m	35cm x 35cm	85cm
7m to 8m	35cm x 35cm	95cm
9m to 12m	65cm x 65cm	125cm

2. Mix and pour the concrete.
Use a good quality soft cement mixed to a ratio of 1 part cement to 2 parts sand to 3 parts pea gravel (20MN/m2). Fill the hole and press the anchor bolts into the concrete. Leave a gap of approximately 30mm between the tilt plate and the surface of the concrete to allow for later adjustment of the flagpole – we find the best way to do this is by placing a plank of wood underneath the baseplate to prop it above the concrete.

3. Set the tilt plate level.
Vibrate the air out of the concrete and position the tilt plate carefully, allowing enough clearance for the flagpole to be raised. Allow the concrete to cure fully before proceeding. This typically takes 3 to 7 days depending on the season and weather conditions.

4. Mount the finial, halyard and belaying cleat.
Before erecting the pole, mount the pole capping on the top of the flagpole and secure the finial using the longest screw. Mount the cleat at least 125cm from the bottom of the pole, on the opposite side to the joint. Fasten the screws until they hold but do not over-tighten. Pass the halyard through the finial and fasten it to the cleat around the pole.

5. Connect and erect the flagpole.
Once the concrete has fully set, connect the upper bracket on the flagpole to the baseplate. Walk the flagpole up until vertical and fasten to the baseplate using the nuts.

6. Set the flagpole vertical.
Use the 3 nuts on each anchor bolt to adjust the vertical position of the pole. Once the flagpole is perfectly vertical, tighten all 9 nuts fully. To prevent the halyard from slapping against the pole, wind it once around the pole after rigging.

Getting the foundation right is the single most important step in any flagpole installation. An undersized or poorly mixed foundation is the most common cause of flagpole failure. If you are in any doubt, speak to us before you dig.

Installation for flagpoles with internal halyard systems vary slightly from the above, as the poles come pre-fitted with the halyard already in place.

Innovia flagpoles rooftop view

Flagpole Maintenance After Installation

Hampshire Flag Company flagpoles have a smooth, shiny and stain-resistant surface which under normal conditions will remain clean for several years. If the pole is exposed to exhaust fumes, smoke or other sources of surface contamination, it can be cleaned using a cloth or sponge with hot soapy water. After a few years it is worth treating the pole with wax to help it retain its surface finish and glossy appearance.

Most importantly, all bolts on the base plate must be checked and tightened every year to prevent metal fatigue. Annual tightening is not optional and neglecting it can lead to serious structural problems over time. We recommend having your flagpole professionally serviced by HFC each year as part of this process.

Wall-Mounted Flagpole Installation

Wall-mounted flagpoles present a different set of considerations. The pole must be fixed securely to the building structure using the correct fixings for the substrate and the bracket must be positioned and angled to suit the intended flag size and projection.

For installations at height on building facades, access is a key factor. Where a MEWP cannot reach the mounting position, our rope access trained operatives can carry out the installation safely and cost-effectively. This is a particular advantage for hotels, civic buildings and heritage properties where erecting scaffold for a single installation would be impractical or prohibitively expensive.

For sites in exposed or particularly windy locations, or where a greater projection from the wall is needed, we can fabricate bespoke brackets specifically engineered for the demands of the installation.

Wallmounted Flag Pole, Union Jack Flag

When to Contact a Professional Flagpole Installer

Some installations are straightforward and can be managed by a competent individual. Many require professional expertise.

You should contact a qualified flagpole installer when:

The pole is over 6m in height
The installation is on a commercial, civic or public-facing site
The site is in an exposed or coastal location with high wind loading
The pole is to be wall-mounted at height
The installation is on a listed building or within a conservation area
The site has limited or difficult access for standard plant and machinery
You need documentation for health and safety or insurance purposes

Our Professional Installation Service

Hampshire Flag Company offers a complete supply and installation service for flagpoles from 4m to 20m and above. We manage every aspect of the process from initial survey through to commissioning and handover. Our team holds IPAF qualifications for MEWP operation and rope access capability for challenging installations and all working at height activity is underpinned by full risk assessments and method statements.

Because we hold extensive stock at our 17,000 sq ft warehouse facility in Hampshire, including flagpoles across the full size range and a comprehensive range of fittings and accessories sourced from suppliers worldwide, we can move quickly from agreement to installation. We hold ISO 9001:2015 accreditation and bring the same standards to every job regardless of scale.

To arrange a site survey, discuss your requirements or request a quotation, contact our installations team today.

Flagpole Installation

Specifications correct at time of publication. Please see individual product pages for full details or contact us for a tailored recommendation.

Posted on April 10, 2026July 15, 2026 by Laura Kay — Leave a comment

Which Halyard System Should I Choose for My Flagpole?

External, internal or winch: a straightforward guide

Once you have chosen your flagpole, the next decision is how you want to raise and lower your flag. The halyard is the rope or mechanism used to hoist a flag. It comes in three main configurations, each with its own strengths depending on where your pole is sited, how often you plan to change the flag and how much security you need. This guide walks you through each option so you can make the right choice from the outset.

What is a halyard?

In simple terms, the halyard is the system used to run the flag up and down the pole. On the most basic setup this is just a length of rope with clips at each end to attach to the flag, running up through the truck in the finial at the top of the pole and back down to a cleat where it is secured. From there, the configuration differs depending on whether the system is external, internal or winch-operated.

External halyard

ALL POLES · THE STANDARD OPTION

Available on: NOV Aluminium, Standard Aluminium, Glassfibre and Architectural Aluminium.

The external halyard is the most straightforward of the three systems. The rope runs up the outside of the pole, through the truck in the finial at the top, and back down to a cleat fixed to the side of the pole where it is tied off to hold the flag in place. There are no hidden mechanisms and nothing inside the pole. What you see is what you get.

For most domestic installations in a private garden or secure location, this is a perfectly practical choice. Raising and lowering the flag is intuitive and if the rope ever needs replacing it is a simple job. However, it is worth being aware that because everything is accessible on the outside of the pole, both the rope and the flag can be reached by anyone who can get close enough. On an unsecured site such as a business premises, a public-facing building or anywhere with regular foot traffic, your flag and halyard are potentially vulnerable to interference or theft.

One other consideration worth mentioning is noise. The external rope runs down the side of the pole and in windy conditions will slap against it. This is a minor inconvenience in most settings, but if the pole is close to a bedroom window or in a location where noise is a concern, it is something to bear in mind. Both the internal and winch systems are significantly quieter as the rope is contained within the pole.

Metal Cleat, Bath Rugby Club Flagpole

Advantages	Disadvantages

Simple and easy to use
Easy to maintain and repair
Rope replacement is straightforward
Available on all pole types
No special tools required

Flag and rope accessible to anyone
Not suitable for unsecured public sites
Rope can slap against the pole in wind
Less tidy in appearance

Internal Halyard With Hooped Weight, Quintin Rowing Club Flag

Internal Halyard

MOST POLES · THE SECURE CHOICE

Available on: Standard Aluminium, Glassfibre and Architectural Aluminium.

With an internal halyard system, the rope runs up through the inside of the pole rather than down the outside. It is accessed via a small lockable door set into the base of the pole, meaning the only way to raise or lower the flag is to have the key. For anyone flying a flag at a commercial premises, a public building or anywhere that is not fully enclosed and private, this is the system we would typically recommend.

Beyond security, the internal halyard offers a noticeably cleaner appearance. There is no rope visible on the outside of the pole, which gives a much smarter and more professional finish. It is also considerably quieter than the external system, as the rope is contained within the pole and cannot slap against it in the wind. If the pole is near a residential property or in an area where noise could be an issue, this alone can make the internal system worth choosing.

The one trade-off is a slight reduction in convenience compared to the external system. Accessing the rope requires opening the door at the base of the pole each time, which adds a small step to the process of changing or raising your flag. For most customers this is a very minor consideration, but it is worth knowing.

Advantages	Disadvantages

Rope and flag secured via locked door
Much quieter with no rope slap in wind
Clean and professional appearance
Ideal for public or commercial sites

Requires key to access
Slightly less convenient than external
Not available on the NOV range

Winch halyard

GLASSFIBRE POLES · THE EASIEST TO OPERATE

Available on: Glassfibre only.

The winch halyard is our most premium option and for the right application it is an excellent choice. Rather than pulling a rope hand over hand, the winch system uses a geared mechanism inside the pole that is operated by inserting a winch handle into a small port on the pole and turning it. The flag rises or lowers smoothly with minimal effort, regardless of the size or weight of the flag.

This makes it particularly well suited to taller poles, heavier flags or installations where a wind tracker arm is fitted. On a large glassfibre pole carrying a full-size commercial flag in a stiff breeze, raising a flag by hand can be hard work. The winch takes all of that effort away and makes the whole process quick and simple. If ease of use is a priority, whether because the pole is being operated by multiple different people or simply because you want changing the flag to be as effortless as possible, the winch is the system to choose.

From a security standpoint, the winch is also the most secure of the three options. Because it requires a specific winch handle to operate and these are not widely available, the chances of someone being able to interfere with your flag without the right tool are extremely low. Like the internal system, the rope is also fully contained within the pole so it is just as quiet.

Winch system flagpole, Lyme Regis.

Advantages	Disadvantages

Easiest system to operate
Excellent for large or heavy flags
Most secure: requires a winch handle
Quiet: rope fully contained in pole
Great for tall poles and wind tracker arms

Glassfibre poles only
Requires a winch handle to operate
Higher cost than other systems

At a glance

System	Security	Noise	Ease of use	Best for

External	Low: fully accessible	Loudest	Very simple	Private domestic use
Internal	Good: locked door	Much quieter	Simple	Commercial or public sites
Winch	Excellent: winch handle required	Much quieter	Easiest	Large poles, heavy flags, ease of use

Which one is right for me?

For a domestic pole in a private garden, the external halyard is a practical and perfectly adequate choice. It is simple, easy to use and if you ever need to replace the rope it is something you can do yourself without any fuss.

If your pole is going up outside a business, a public building or anywhere else that is not fully secured, we would steer you towards the internal halyard as a minimum. The added security and the cleaner appearance both make a meaningful difference in those settings and the slight reduction in convenience is rarely a concern in practice.

If ease of use is your top priority, particularly on a taller glassfibre pole or where you are flying a larger flag, the winch system is well worth considering. Customers who choose it consistently tell us it makes a noticeable difference, especially in windier conditions where raising a flag by hand can otherwise be a real effort.

Not sure which system suits your setup?

Give us a call on 02392 237130 and we will be happy to talk it through with you. We can advise based on your pole type, location and how you plan to use it. There is no one-size-fits-all answer and we would rather help you get it right first time.

Specifications correct at time of publication. Please see individual product pages for full details or contact us for a tailored recommendation.

Posted on April 7, 2026April 7, 2026 by Laura Kay — Leave a comment

How to Choose the Right Finial for Your Flagpole

Short White Aluminium Flagpole, Union jack flag

A practical guide to colour, fit & measurement

The finial — that round part at the top of your flagpole — may be small, but it makes a big difference to the finished look. Choosing the wrong one is easier than you’d think. This guide will walk you through colour selection and, crucially, how to make sure it actually fits.

While often seen as decorative, the finial also plays a functional role. Our finials include a built-in metal track that allows the halyard to run smoothly over the top of the pole. Unlike traditional pulley systems, this design has no moving parts—reducing wear, noise, and maintenance over time.

Choosing the Right Colour

Finials are available in a range of finishes, but one stands above the rest — quite literally.

Gold (most popular)
White (second most popular)
Silver
Black

Gold is by far the most common choice, and for good reason. It offers a classic appearance that complements virtually any setting: from commercial premises and public buildings to private gardens. Regardless of the pole you purchase from us, gold is always a great choice.

White finials are typically chosen to match the colour of the pole and so they don’t stand out as much.
Silver and Black finials are far less common and so are a good choice if you want to stand out.
When in doubt, gold is the safe and elegant choice. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to see some in situ images

Gold Finial, top of Reading Minster Church Tower Flagpole

Getting the Right Fit

A finial that doesn’t fit is worse than no finial at all, it can sit at an angle, trap moisture, or simply fall off. Sizing comes down to one measurement: the diameter of your pole at the top.

Purchased your pole from us since 2022?

Save yourself the measuring tape — just give us a call and we’ll look up your order and confirm the correct finial size for you. It takes two minutes and ensures you get the perfect fit.

If your pole was supplied by another manufacturer, or is an older purchase, use the guide below to measure and identify the correct size.

How to Measure Your Flagpole

Finials are specified in one of two ways depending on the pole type — either by internal diameter (ID) or external diameter (OD). It’s important to know which applies to your pole before ordering. Please note that this has no relation to if your flagpole’s halyard system is internal or external as HFC finials are suitable for both.

Using a tape measure or digital callipers (if available!), measure across the very top of your flagpole. If your pole is glassfibre, it will have a “spine” – avoid measuring at this point as the finials are designed to sit around this.
Determine whether your measurement is the inside of the tube (internal diameter — for most spigot-style finials) or the outside of the pole (external diameter — used for finials that slip over the top).
Cross-reference your measurement with our available finial sizes. If your diameter doesn’t fit our standard sizes, please send us an email and we can check if we have your size in stock.

Quintin Rowing Club Flag

Aluminium poles

The vast majority of standard aluminium flagpoles have an outside diameter of 60mm. Because finials for these poles sit on the inside of the tube, you order by the internal diameter, which for a 60mm pole is typically 54mm. If your aluminium pole is a non-standard size, measure the internal and external diameter of the tube at the top and order to match.

If you have purchased a NOV aluminium flagpole from HFC, the pole will have a 50mm external diameter and so the 50mm diameter finial will be the best choice.

Glassfibre poles

Glassfibre poles use a different fitting system, the finial sits over the outside of the pole rather than inside. The two most common external diameters for glassfibre poles are 50mm and 65mm, so measure the outside of the pole at its tip and order accordingly. If you’re unsure which size your pole is, a set of callipers will give you the most accurate reading.

Still Not Sure?

There’s no shame in picking up the phone. Our team is happy to help you confirm the right finial for your pole, whether you bought from us or elsewhere. A quick call can save you the hassle of a return and ensure your flagpole looks its very best.