Visit Postman’s Park

Not far from the grandeur of St Paul’s is one of London’s most unassuming and charming little parks. Tucked behind the General Post Office, it was built in 1880 so that the post office staff had a peaceful change of scenery for their breaks (hence the name).

Don’t be distracted by the statue of Sir Rowland Hill, inventor of the postage stamp (unless of course you are a stamp-collector and that’s your thing, in which case, knock yourself out); Postman’s Park is best known for being home to the famous Watts memorial, built in 1900 by Victorian painter and philanthropist GF Watts (1817-1904). It also features in a key scene in the film Closer, with Jude Law and Natalie Portman; no spoiler alerts here though.

The Watts Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice was set up in 1900 by the painter George Frederick Watts to commemorate unsung heroes, often young people or children, who gave their lives to save others. It is an intriguing and beautiful series of glazed tiles inside an open shelter, recounting the everyday heroism of ordinary people. If that doesn’t take you back to Dickensian London with a tear in your eye, we don’t know what will.

Hours: open 8am to 7pm or dusk, whichever is earlier.
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.