Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice Monument

Address: Postman’s Park, Little Britain, London EC1A 7BT, United Kingdom

Hours: Postman’s Park (where the memorial is located) generally open dawn-dusk

Admission: Free (outdoor memorial in Postman’s Park, central London)

The Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice is a commemorative installation located within Postman’s Park in the City of London. It records ordinary civilians who lost their lives saving others.

A wall of glazed ceramic plaques carries short inscriptions naming individuals and describing their acts of lifesaving. The memorial is compact and best viewed as part of a visit to Postman’s Park and the surrounding City of London streets.

The memorial was initiated by the artist George Frederic Watts in the late 19th century as a public tribute to unheralded acts of bravery. Plaques were added over time to record selected incidents of self-sacrifice.

Located within Postman’s Park in central London, the memorial sits in the City of London close to major landmarks and is accessible from nearby Tube and rail stations.

• Founding: The project was conceived and driven by the artist George Frederic Watts to commemorate ordinary people who died rescuing others.

Postman’s Park is a short walk from St Paul’s Cathedral (about 5 minutes) and is easily reached on foot from other central London transport hubs like Liverpool Street and Bank stations.

• Visit near midday when the small glazed tablets are easiest to read; they're tucked into the shelter wall and easy to miss.
• Combine with a visit to nearby St Paul's Cathedral or the Museum of London - the park is an oasis in the City of London.
• Look for the memorial's long list of little-known names and their short, moving citations - each tablet tells a small tragedy and an act of courage.