Famous blue plaques in London: Where to find Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Freddie Mercury, and more

We don’t need to tell you that London is a hub of stardom.

Our great city has been home to some of the world’s biggest stars from authors to actors and singers.

Many of these famous faces have been immortalised with blue plaques across the city.

There are more than 1,000 blue plaques commemorating notable people, events, and buildings in London alone.

Here are 10 of our favourite famous blue plaques we think you should visit in the capital.

1. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

There is a blue plaque dedicated to the famous author of Sherlock Holmes at his house in Tennison Road. It was erected in 1973 by the Greater London Council.

Where to find it: 12 Tennison Road, South Norwood, London, SE25 5RT

2. Richard Burton

A formidable Shakespearean actor and the famous husband of Elizabeth Taylor. There is a blue plaque honouring this Welsh-born star outside his former home in Hampstead.

This blue plaque was erected by English Heritage in 2011.

Where to find it: 6 Lyndhurst Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 5PX

3. Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin is widely recognised as one of the greatest stars of early cinema. A blue plaque honours the beloved actor and filmmaker outside his former flat in Lambeth.

This plaque was erected by English Heritage in 2017.

Where to find it: 15 Glenshaw Mansions, Brixton Road, London, SW9 0DS

4. Ava Gardener

Ava Gardner was one of Hollywood’s most legendary stars, as famous for her off-screen dramas as her glamorous performances. She moved to London in the late 1960s and lived at 34 Ennismore Gardens in Knightsbridge from 1972 until she died in 1990.

A blue plaque was erected in her honour by English Heritage in 2016.

Where to find it: 4 Ennismore Gardens, Knightsbridge, London, SW7 1AE

5. Dame Celia Johnson

Dame Celia Johnson’s name is synonymous with the classic film Brief Encounter (1945). A remarkably versatile and subtle actress. She also starred on the West End and TV dramas during the 70s.

This blue plaque was erected in 2008 by English Heritage.

Where to find it: 46 Richmond Hill, Richmond, London, TW10 4QX

6. Ian Fleming

The creator of James Bond, Ian Fleming, sold 30 million books in his lifetime and spawned a lucrative and long-running film franchise. His blue plaque marks the appropriately louche bachelor pad in Ebury Street where he lived in the late 1930s. A blue plaque was erected in his honour in 1996 by English Heritage.

Where to find it: 22 Ebury Street, Belgravia, London, SW1W 8LW

7. Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling is the famous author of The Jungle Book. Kipling was a journalist, novelist, poet, and short-story writer. He was born in British India, which inspired much of his work. 

A blue plaque was erected by London County Council outside his former home in Charing Cross in 1957.

Where to find it: 43 Villiers Street, Charing Cross, London, WC2N 6NE

8. A.A Milne

The author AA Milne lived in Chelsea and Kensington during the most creative years of his life, from 1919 until about 1940. While living there he wrote both of his Winnie-the-Pooh books and two collections of poetry. A blue plaque was erected in 1979 by the Greater London Council.

Where to find it: 13 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DT

9. Mary Shelley

The famous author of Frankenstein lived in Chester Square from between 1846-1851, when she died.

English Heritage erected a blue plaque outside her former home in 2003.

Where to find it: 24 Chester Square, Belgravia, London, SW1W 9HS

10. Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury is one of the greatest stars in the history of rock music. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – written by Mercury and performed with Queen – remains one of Britain’s best-loved songs.

Mercury started to explore his musical talents as a teenager when he moved with his family to Gladstone Avenue in Feltham, where he is now commemorated with a blue plaque.

The plaque was erected in 2016 by English Heritage.

Where to find it: 22 Gladstone Avenue, Feltham, London, TW14 9LL