One of my favorite things in London are the blue plaques that adorn the outside of buildings around the city. These plaques indicate that someone famous or important lived or worked in the building. Approximately 1,000 plaques are scattered around London, and since I’m fascinated by the way people live and work (part of being a writer but I probably should have been a sociologist) I love seeing these plaques.
To get a plaque, the candidate must be dead at least 20 years, the building must be within Greater London, the building must look like it did when the candidate lived there, and be visible from a public street. The building cannot be a church, school, or theater, and can’t already have a plaque.
Incidentally, some of my favorite artists are British and dead. John Lennon, Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd), Charles Dickens, and George Orwell are a few of the plaques we saw while meandering the busy streets of London.
There are also some non-blue plaques around the city, indicating other important events have occurred.
As you’re walking the streets of London, don’t forget to look and see the famous people whose footsteps you’re following in!
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