Postman's Park: London's Memorial to Everyday Heroes
Postman's Park is a small, peaceful garden in the City of London near St Paul's Cathedral, best known for the Watts Memorial, a wall of hand-painted tiles honouring ordinary people who died saving others. It is free, easy to miss, and quietly one of the most moving spots in the city.
Simon Burchell · CC BY-SA 4.0In Hidden Gems in London · The City · Last updated 2 June 2026
- The Watts Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, a wall of hand-painted ceramic tiles
- Each tile tells the story of an ordinary person who died saving someone else
- A green, sheltered pocket of calm a short walk from St Paul's Cathedral
- Free and open daily, and almost always quiet
What is Postman's Park
Postman's Park is a small public garden in the City of London, tucked between King Edward Street and Little Britain, a few minutes on foot from St Paul's Cathedral. It took its name from the postal workers of the old General Post Office headquarters nearby, who used it as a green place to rest.
Today it is a leafy, sheltered square of lawns, mature trees and benches, hemmed in by City buildings. Most office workers know it, but it stays off the main tourist routes, so visitors often have it almost to themselves.
The Watts Memorial to everyday heroes
The reason to seek out Postman's Park is the Watts Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice. Under a long wooden loggia runs a wall of hand-painted ceramic tiles, each one commemorating an ordinary person who died trying to save another, often a stranger or a child.
The plaques are plain and the stories are extraordinary, from people who drowned rescuing others to those killed in fires and on the railways. Reading along the wall is a quiet, powerful experience, and it is what makes this small garden so memorable.
Why it stays a hidden gem
Surrounded by the offices of the City, Postman's Park is easy to walk past without noticing the entrance. There is no ticket, no signage on the tourist trail and no crowd, which is exactly why it keeps its calm.
Give it fifteen or twenty minutes to sit and read the memorial tiles. It pairs naturally with a visit to St Paul's Cathedral and the Museum of London area, both a short walk away.
Know before you go
- Take time to read the Watts Memorial tiles, they are the heart of the visit.
- Go outside the noon to 2pm City lunch rush for the quietest experience.
- Combine it with St Paul's Cathedral, a few minutes away on foot.
Where Postman's Park is
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Postman's Park: frequently asked questions
What is Postman's Park in London?
Postman's Park is a small public garden in the City of London near St Paul's Cathedral. It is famous for the Watts Memorial, a wall of tiles honouring ordinary people who died saving others.
Why is it called Postman's Park?
It took its name from the postal workers of the nearby old General Post Office headquarters, who used the garden as a place to rest. The name Postman's Park has stuck ever since.
Is Postman's Park free to visit?
Yes. Postman's Park is a free public garden with no ticket and no entry fee. You can visit any day during daylight hours.
Where is Postman's Park and how do you get there?
It is in the City of London, near King Edward Street and Little Britain, a short walk from St Paul's Underground station and St Paul's Cathedral.
What is the Watts Memorial in Postman's Park?
It is a wall of hand-painted ceramic tiles, each commemorating an ordinary person who died trying to save another. It is the reason most people seek out Postman's Park.
Is Postman's Park worth visiting?
Yes, especially as it is free and central. The Watts Memorial is quietly moving, and the garden is a rare pocket of calm in the busy City of London.
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Sources and further reading: Wikipedia: Postman's Park.