Oasis in the noise..
This post is dedicated to Laura Lynn as an extra pair of eyes for her to see the more hidden parts of London, until she can come and visit again x
There is a nearly secret garden literally buried deep in the heart of the City, almost under the far reaching shadows of St. Pauls Cathedral.
It’a called the Postman’s Park and was once the graveyards of St. Leonards Foster Lane St Botolph Aldersgate and Christ Church Newgate. Which sounds huge, but it’s only a little place with a rich atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Ordinary yet quietly extraordinary.
Through the gates and past the pond is a memorial created by George Fredrick Watts, a painter and social radical. In 1887 he had the idea to commemorate ‘heroic men and women’ for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee year. No-one else felt it was a particularly good idea so he financed it himself.
Set into the wall are over fifty plaques catching frozen moments in time, each bringing a spotlight to the pendulum swings of fate and lifes’ vulnerabilities. Every plaque commemorates a selfless act of bravery and with simple words to make you bleed they open up a theatre in the mind as you picture the stories and comprehend the consequences.
It is a small place, a poignant place where history lives on.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 
wow! i was reading about those memorial while ago, but didn’t realise it was in the centre of London…. thanks for sharing and the beautiful pictures, it is heart warming to see such a monument
They did feature in the film ‘Closer’ with Jude Law? Good film.. x
oh, I haven’t seen the film.. i shall check it out, thanks 🙂
just read about it, sounds a really good one!
There’s something special about local insights – thanks!
beautiful!
So lovely. The place, the sentiment, your photos, the lettering and artwork on the signs…thanks so much for sharing.
Extraordinary! Thank you for sharing Kate, this just went on top of my wish list for next time I’m around.
How did they make this, it’s beautiful. like it.
Stunning images…remember it from the movie but always forget the location. On my list for next London trip…so thanks for sharing.
I’ll have to check out this park. I remember seeing an art exhibition at Tate Britain by Susan Hiller, who did a piece about those people who scarified their life for those. In a society where we are so inner focused on our smart phones, games and ipods, it is inspirational and a reminder that a life is more worthwhile doing service to those in need.
Hi and thank you so much for your visit today. I love this place! I can’t believe I have followed a link to your blog and re-discovered it after so many years. We live in Lancashire and our eldest daughter arranged a walking tour around London many years ago and it took us here as well. She got the book out of the library on hidden walks around London I think it was called and it was amazing where it took you. A little gem; thank you for the reminder 🙂
Did you follow the walk in a book or join one of the walking tours?? Pre-children the husband and I often went on walks of a weekend..made you realise a) how little history you really knew and b) How little you knew your city! xxx
We went on a self guided tour out of the book. If you can find it, it is amazing! I know what you mean about BC because we have 3 all grown up and 5 grandchildren that keep us super busy. The great thing about these self tours is that you can go at your own pace with the children and stop as often as you like which really is better than a guided tour. Learning our history and passing it to our children is so important and this way can be fun at the same time. Take care. Michele
We used to use a fabulous book called 52 (I think!) walks from railway stations from London by time out…most of them were circular walks with a stop at a pub for lunch..but I think I need to search for your book!! X
These images remind me of New Orleans. I love your blog by the way. Very, very cool.
Machos grazias luv! Xxx
Kate, Love to you and thank you for the dedication. This is exactly my favorite kind of park. Small and hidden and quiet and green. You are quite an excellent photographer and this post is beautiful and heartwarming.
I think when you are caught in the moment one doesn’t think about danger to oneself. There is the moment when you realize how fragile life is. These sacrifices made so long ago are just as poignant today.
It was a pleasure. Had a feeling it would appeal..have another idea up my sleeve for another ‘historical’ post that even I didn’t know about until I did, so to speak. Sometimes it’s the simple things that are the best. xxx