diff --git a/umap/context_processors.py b/umap/context_processors.py
index 499a82a8..cd377af4 100644
--- a/umap/context_processors.py
+++ b/umap/context_processors.py
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@ from . import VERSION
 
 def settings(request):
     return {
-        'UMAP_FEEDBACK_LINK': djsettings.UMAP_FEEDBACK_LINK,
-        'SITE_NAME': djsettings.SITE_NAME,
-        'ENABLE_ACCOUNT_LOGIN': djsettings.ENABLE_ACCOUNT_LOGIN,
+        "UMAP_FEEDBACK_LINK": djsettings.UMAP_FEEDBACK_LINK,
+        "SITE_NAME": djsettings.SITE_NAME,
+        "ENABLE_ACCOUNT_LOGIN": djsettings.ENABLE_ACCOUNT_LOGIN,
+        "UMAP_READONLY": djsettings.UMAP_READONLY,
+        "UMAP_DEMO_SITE": djsettings.UMAP_DEMO_SITE,
     }
 
 
 def version(request):
-    return {
-        'UMAP_VERSION': VERSION
-    }
+    return {"UMAP_VERSION": VERSION}
diff --git a/umap/templates/umap/about_summary.html b/umap/templates/umap/about_summary.html
index c580cf83..7901cb32 100644
--- a/umap/templates/umap/about_summary.html
+++ b/umap/templates/umap/about_summary.html
@@ -30,7 +30,9 @@
     <div class="col half center mwide">
     {% spaceless %}
     <div class="button-bar {% if demo_map %}half{% endif %}">
-      <a href="{% url 'map_new' %}" class="button half">{% trans "Create a map" %}</a>
+      {% if not UMAP_READONLY %}
+        <a href="{% url 'map_new' %}" class="button half">{% trans "Create a map" %}</a>
+      {% endif %}
       {% if demo_map %}
         <a href="{{ demo_map.get_absolute_url }}" class="button half neutral">{% trans "Play with the demo" %}</a>
       {% endif %}
diff --git a/umap/templates/umap/content.html b/umap/templates/umap/content.html
index ca7fb698..dbd38ce5 100644
--- a/umap/templates/umap/content.html
+++ b/umap/templates/umap/content.html
@@ -18,6 +18,22 @@
 {% endblock %}
 
 {% block content %}
+  {% if UMAP_READONLY %}
+    <div class="wrapper demo-instance-warning">
+      <div class="row">
+        <p>
+          {% blocktrans %}This instance of uMap is currently in read only mode, no creation/edit is allowed.{% endblocktrans %}
+        </p>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  {% endif %}
+  {% if UMAP_DEMO_SITE %}
+    <div class="wrapper demo-instance-warning">
+      <div class="row">
+        {% blocktrans with repo_url="https://github.com/umap-project/umap" stable_url="http://umap.openstreetmap.fr" %}This is a demo instance, used for tests and pre-rolling releases. If you need a stable instance, please use <a href="{{ stable_url }}">{{ stable_url }}</a>. You can also host your own instance, it's <a href="{{ repo_url }}">open source</a>!{% endblocktrans %}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  {% endif %}
   {% block maincontent %}
   {% endblock maincontent %}
 {% endblock content %}
diff --git a/umap/templates/umap/home.html b/umap/templates/umap/home.html
index b405786e..45bef52d 100644
--- a/umap/templates/umap/home.html
+++ b/umap/templates/umap/home.html
@@ -3,13 +3,6 @@
 {% load umap_tags i18n %}
 
 {% block maincontent %}
-{% if DEMO_SITE %}
-<div class="wrapper demo-instance-warning">
-  <div class="row">
-    {% blocktrans with repo_url="https://github.com/umap-project/umap" stable_url="http://umap.openstreetmap.fr" %}This is a demo instance, used for tests and pre-rolling releases. If you need a stable instance, please use <a href="{{ stable_url }}">{{ stable_url }}</a>. You can also host your own instance, it's <a href="{{ repo_url }}">open source</a>!{% endblocktrans %}
-  </div>
-</div>
-{% endif %}
 {% include "umap/search_bar.html" %}
 {% include "umap/about_summary.html" %}
 {% if showcase_map %}
diff --git a/umap/templates/umap/navigation.html b/umap/templates/umap/navigation.html
index acde349a..58c4d8e6 100644
--- a/umap/templates/umap/navigation.html
+++ b/umap/templates/umap/navigation.html
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@
   </section>
 
   <section>
-    <a href="{% url 'map_new' %}" class="button">{% trans "Create a map" %}</a>
+    {% if not UMAP_READONLY %}
+      <a href="{% url 'map_new' %}" class="button">{% trans "Create a map" %}</a>
+    {% endif %}
   </section>
 </nav>
diff --git a/umap/tests/test_views.py b/umap/tests/test_views.py
index d1f025a7..a4fa8d23 100644
--- a/umap/tests/test_views.py
+++ b/umap/tests/test_views.py
@@ -162,3 +162,37 @@ def test_stats_basic(client, map, datalayer, user2):
         "users_active_last_week_count": 1,
         "users_count": 2,
     }
+
+
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+def test_read_only_displays_message_if_enabled(client, settings):
+    settings.UMAP_READONLY = True
+    response = client.get(reverse("home"))
+    assert (
+        "This instance of uMap is currently in read only mode"
+        in response.content.decode()
+    )
+
+
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+def test_read_only_does_not_display_message_if_disabled(client, settings):
+    settings.UMAP_READONLY = False
+    response = client.get(reverse("home"))
+    assert (
+        "This instance of uMap is currently in read only mode"
+        not in response.content.decode()
+    )
+
+
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+def test_read_only_hides_create_buttons_if_enabled(client, settings):
+    settings.UMAP_READONLY = True
+    response = client.get(reverse("home"))
+    assert "Create a map" not in response.content.decode()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+def test_read_only_shows_create_buttons_if_disabled(client, settings):
+    settings.UMAP_READONLY = False
+    response = client.get(reverse("home"))
+    assert "Create a map" in response.content.decode()
diff --git a/umap/views.py b/umap/views.py
index 16018c49..ed242369 100644
--- a/umap/views.py
+++ b/umap/views.py
@@ -125,7 +125,6 @@ class Home(TemplateView, PaginatorMixin):
             "maps": maps,
             "demo_map": demo_map,
             "showcase_map": showcase_map,
-            "DEMO_SITE": settings.UMAP_DEMO_SITE,
         }
 
     def get_template_names(self):