Did You Know This Area in London Has the Most Blue Plaque homes?

London is a city overwhelmed with rich history, it seems that each borough, each neighbourhood even, has its own story tell. This, in part, is because so many impactful people have chosen to live within its limits. Whether it be for a month, a year, or an entire lifetime, London has been home to some of the most recognized names from all over the world.

To name a few:

Winston Churchill

Charles Darwin

Jimi Hendrix

Virginia Woolf

Alan Turing

Mahatma Gandhi

Bob Marley

Charlie Chaplin

Vincent Van Gogh

To commemorate these individuals and their contributions to not just London, but the world, the House of Commons established a plaque scheme in 1863. Shortly after this, the scheme was passed on to the Royal Society of Arts, and then the London County Council where it was officially named ‘Indication of Houses of Historical Interest in London’. It was during this period that different styles were tested in deciding how the plaque should standout. In 1921 the blue plaques made their first appearance, however, it was not until 1938 that the official Blue Plaque design you see today was created by a student at the Central School of Arts and Crafts.

Even though the scheme was paused throughout both world wars it was not forgotten and it continued under the guidance of the Greater London Council, until it finally fell into the hands of English Heritage where it remains today. English Heritage has been largely responsible for the growth and expansion of the Blue Plaque scheme, having added plaques in every London borough except two. In 2018 it also called for more women to be nominated, as 86% of plaques had been previously dedicated to men. Since then, it has seen a huge uptake in female nominations, now with more women shortlisted than men.

Over 150 years after the first blue plaque was put up, there are now more than 900 spread across the London boroughs. Westminster holds the most Blue Plaques by far, with 315, and Kensington & Chelsea coming in second at 186.

Westminster - 315

Kensington & Chelsea - 186

Camden - 174

Richmond Upon Thames - 26

Hammersmith & Fulham - 24

Tower Hamlets - 22

Lewisham - 12

Hackney - 8

Ealing - 7

Bromley - 7

Kingston Upon Thames – 5

This list will only continue to grow, with new nominations coming in every year. The Blue Plaque scheme is a reminder of London’s past, present, and future. It encourages those who live here to make an impact, and maybe one day their home will have a Blue Plaque raised on the wall outside. If you’re keen to learn more about the history of Blue Plaques, visit the English Heritage website, for the Top Ten Blue Plaque Facts!