Originally founded in 1866, London’s Blue Plaques scheme highlights the relationship between notable historical figures and the buildings in which they lived and worked years ago. The original of its kind, the London Blue Plaque scheme has inspired many similar ones in the rest of the UK and around the world. English Heritage took over in 1986 when the scheme was in its 120th year, having been previously run by the Royal Society of Arts, the London County Council and the Greater London Council.
To be awarded an official English Heritage Blue Plaque, recipients must have died at least 20 years ago, and there must be a surviving building in the area to which they are closely related. This can be somewhere they lived or worked, and can range from a humble flat to a grand mansion. There are 1000 plaques scattered across the city, and behind each of them is a story – some known to many, others forgotten until they were commemorated in blue.
Materials and Colours of London Plaques
Not all official London plaques are blue, however. They originated in blue back in 1866, but the bright colour was expensive and difficult to produce at the time. They were handmade, and featured a distinctive border pattern with the phrase ‘erected by the society of arts’ woven into it. For the next 35 years, the plaques were brown – so if you spot a brown plaque around London, it’s one of the oldest of its kind.
Between the turn of the 19th century and the Second World War, the plaques varied in material, shape, and colour: bronze, stone, or lead; square or rectangular; brown, sage, terracotta or blue. Since 1938, the modern blue plaque design has been used with few exceptions and few changes, save for the addition of the English Heritage name and logo and a few subtle font and layout alterations.
Notable London Blue Plaques
The First Plaque – Lord Byron
In 1867, the first ever official plaque was placed at 24 Holles Street, Cavendish Square in honour of poet Lord Byron – but the house was demolished 22 years later! It’s now a John Lewis, and there’s a new plaque on the building commemorating Lord Byron. We don’t actually know which house on Holles Street was actually Lord Byron’s birthplace, so there’s a strong possibility that neither the original plaque or the current one actually marked the right house.
The Oldest Surviving Plaque – Napoleon III
Also placed in 1867, just a few months after Lord Byron’s, Napoleon III’s is the oldest surviving plaque. As we mentioned earlier, plaques nowadays are only given to those who have died at least two decades ago, so you may be surprised to learn that Napoleon was actually still alive and ruling France when his plaque was erected. When – and why – did Napoleon live in London, you ask? 6 years after being imprisoned for life in France in 1840, he managed to escape and flee to London where he lived and flourished until King Louis Philippe was overthrown in 1848.
In 1867, Napoleon III’s blue plaque was erected bearing the imperial eagle which was the symbol of empire used by both Napoleon I and III. 6 years later in 1873, after once again finding himself in England, this time in exile, the French Emperor died in Chislehurst, Kent.
Murder on the Kensington Express – Dame Agatha Christie
From 1934, Dame Agatha Christie lived in 58 Sheffield Terrace, Kensington with her husband until 1941 when they were driven out of London by World War II. She lived in many homes across London, mostly in Chelsea and Kensington, but this home was where the legendary writer wrote some of her best-known stories. In her second-floor workroom, she wrote Murder on the Orient Express (1934), The ABC Murders (1935), and Death on the Nile (1937).
Dame Agatha Christie died in 1976, and 25 years later, a blue plaque was placed at this London address.
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The Birth of Queen – Freddie Mercury
A teenage Freddie Mercury, then known by his birth name Farrokh Bulsara (‘Fred’ for short), had just started to nurture his musical talents when he and his family moved to 22 Gladstone Avenue in Feltham in 1964. Along with various jobs he took to support himself, Freddie Mercury attended Ealing College where he first met Brian May and Roger Taylor who, along with Mercury in 1970 and John Deacon who joined a year later, became the legendary band Queen.
In 2016, 25 years after Freddie Mercury’s death, a blue plaque was placed on his old home in Feltham in his honour.
Love in Lambeth – Vincent van Gogh
In 1873, a 20 year old Vincent van Gogh moved to London to work at the behest of his employer. Tight on money, he found accommodation in the form of 87 Hackford Road in Stockwell, which was the home of a Mrs Sarah Loyer and her daughter Eugenie. In a letter to his brother, Van Gogh expressed how much he enjoyed the lodgings and the family atmosphere, though this came to an end a year later when the painter fell into a one-sided love with Eugenie Loyer. In 1974, he confessed to her his feelings, and found out that she was already engaged.
Vincent van Gogh lived between Paris and London until Christmas 1876 when he moved back to the Netherlands. Erected in 1973, 83 years after Van Gogh died and 100 years after he moved to the address, the blue plaque can be seen at the open Van Gogh House on Hackford Road.
The National Blue Plaque Scheme
English Heritage’s London Blue Plaque scheme isn’t the only one of its kind. Run by Historic England, the National Blue Plaque scheme celebrates and showcases those who have made a significant contribution to human welfare and happiness, or have made an exceptional impact in their field, community, or on society as a whole. With the scheme first announced in September 2023, nominations were open between 25th May and 28th July 2024, and will reopen again in spring 2025.
The first three plaques in the National Blue Plaque Scheme are dedicated to Daphne Steele, the first Black matron in the NHS; Clarice Cliff, one of the most recognised ceramic designers of the 20th century; and George Harrison of The Beatles.
Design Your Own Crystal Plaques at Laser Crystal
As the UK’s leading manufacturer of 3D crystal, we’re recognised as a world leader with two decades worth of experience in creating crystal plaques of unbeatable quality. Our huge range of crystal awards, trophies and gifts includes a wide variety of designs to suit all budgets, tastes and occasions. If you can’t find exactly what you have in mind, we offer a made-to-order service where we can create niche designs unique to you.
We make all of our glass plaques from clear and flawless optical quality crystal and use innovative, precise 3D laser engraving techniques which allow us to achieve an exceptional level of detail. Let us know what you need and when you need it, and we’ll do the rest. We ship worldwide and offer a same-day courier service for UK orders. Every plaque will be supplied in a high-quality, satin-lined presentation gift box.
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Contact the Laser Crystal team for further information, to receive a quote or if you’d like a sample. Alternatively, pop us a call on 01202 675000 and we’ll be happy to chat with you about your colour printing crystal award project!