London’s blue plaques
London’s famous blue plaques link the people of the past with the buildings of the present. Now run by English Heritage, the London blue plaques scheme was started in 1866 and is thought to be the oldest of its kind in the world.
More than 1,000 plaques across the capital, on buildings humble and grand, honour the notable women and men who have lived or worked in them. Discover some of the people commemorated with blue plaques, or search for a plaque, below.
The English Heritage London blue plaques scheme is generously supported by David Pearl and members of the public.
150 years of plaques to women
2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the first plaque being erected to a woman. In 1876, 10 years after the scheme was first created, actress Sarah Siddons (1755–1831) was commemorated with a plaque. Siddons was famous for playing tragic roles such as Lady Macbeth and her name was submitted as a suggestion to the Society of Arts, who placed a ‘memorial tablet’ on her former home at 27 Upper Baker Street.
Siddons’ roomy old brick house had a ‘curious arrangement of balcony and a large bow to the north, with three immensely tall windows.’ It was demolished in 1904 due to extensions to the railway and the plaque was later given to the Theatre Museum. It is now in the care of the V&A.
Discover more pioneering women with blue plaquesNew Plaques in 2026
Blue plaques in 2026 celebrated individuals whose lives and work helped shape London’s intellectual, cultural and social landscape.
Recipients include Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, whose groundbreaking discoveries transformed our understanding of the stars; Laurence Olivier, whose stage and screen performances defined modern acting; and Kamal Chunchie, a tireless advocate for racial equality and community cohesion.
Recently unveiled blue plaques have celebrated people whose creative achievements helped shape the capital, including poet and broadcaster Una Marson, actress Audrey Hepburn, and musician Marc Bolan.
Celebrating London’s Black History
From musicians to politicians, discover some of the pioneering black figures whose achievements are celebrated with London’s blue plaques.
Find out more about London’s Black HistoryLondon Pride: LGBTQ+ stories
Explore more than 100 years of London’s LGBTQ+ history through the stories associated with the city’s blue plaques.
Explore London’s LGBTQ+ historyLiving with disability
We commemorate people from all walks of life, some of whom lived with disability. For some, their disability was a difficulty to be navigated, often in a hostile environment. For others, it changed the course of their lives, and was in some cases central to the achievement for which they're celebrated.
We explore stories of people with both visible and hidden impairments, and consider the impact disability had on their lives.
Read the articleHeroes of Health
Advances in the control, treatment and cure of illness and disease have depended on the work of many talented individuals. The London blue plaques scheme celebrates figures of outstanding achievement in this area. We explore their significant medical breakthroughs and public health reforms.
Read the articleBlue plaque stories
Behind every plaque is a story. From the creative output of international composers to campaigns for women’s rights, discover the personal stories and historic achievements of London’s notable former residents with our series of in-depth stories.
Discover the stories behind the plaques
