Uncovering 14 fascinating plaques of London’s mews streets

London’s mews are highly celebrated for their quiet charm, cobblestone pathways, and pastel-hued facades. Yet, if you look closer at these converted 18th and 19th-century stables, you will find fascinating plaques of different colours preserved right on their walls.

While grand townhouses usually steal the spotlight in London’s commemorative plaque scene, a handful of mews structures hold their own historic markers. Because mews houses were originally built as working quarters for coachmen rather than stately family homes, finding a plaque hidden down these lanes is a rare and rewarding find.

From barrier-breaking musicians to adrenaline-fueled Formula 1 icons, here is the definitive, original guide to every blue, green, and independent heritage plaque tucked inside London’s mews.

The Elite Tier: English Heritage Blue Plaques

English Heritage maintains strict criteria for its legendary blue roundels. Only a select group of legendary figures have been awarded official English Heritage status directly on a mews building or its immediate structural cottage.

Dame Lucie Rie (18 Albion Mews, Paddington): For more than five decades, this peaceful, tree-lined mews house served as the home, workshop, and classroom for one of the world’s most influential studio potters.

Francis Bacon (7 Reece Mews, South Kensington): The legendary expressionist painter occupied this South Kensington space from 1961 until his death in 1992. The famously chaotic, cramped upstairs studio served as the creative crucible for some of his most profound 20th-century masterpieces. You can find out more about Francis Bacon by watching our video here.

Winifred Atwell (18 Bourdon Street, Mayfair): This plaque honours the trailblazing Trinidadian pianist who made history as the first Black artist to secure a UK number-one hit. Her Mayfair mews home was famously packed with her instruments, including her prized Steinway grand and the legendary, slightly out-of-tune upright piano that defined her signature ‘honky-tonk’ sound.

Sir Douglas Bader (5 Petersham Mews, South Kensington): The legendary World War II RAF flying ace and double-amputee fighter pilot utilised this discreet mews address as his primary London residence for nearly 30 years between 1955 and 1982.

Social History: Westminster Green Plaques

Westminster Green Plaques honour the unique people, places, and events that shaped the rich local history of the City of Westminster. While traditional English Heritage Blue Plaques mostly celebrate famous individuals, these green markers focus specifically on community heritage and local identity.

Terence Donovan (30 Bourdon Street, Mayfair): Located just a few doors down from Winifred Atwell, this green plaque commemorates the iconic British photographer who helped define the visual aesthetic of the ‘Swinging Sixties.’ He ran his high-profile studio out of this address from 1978 to 1996.

The Blitz Ambulance Hub (39 Weymouth Mews, Marylebone): Hidden away behind Harley Street, this marker honours Station 39 of the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service. Throughout World War II, a brave team of 200 volunteer drivers used this stable lane as a base to coordinate emergency rescues during the height of the Blitz.

Icons & Subcultures: Independent Commemorative Plaques

If you keep your eyes peeled, you will spot an array of unique blue, black, and white plaques installed by independent historical societies, fan circles, and private estates.

Dame Margot Fonteyn & Jacqueline du Pré (2 Rutland Gardens Mews, Knightsbridge): This remarkable independent blue plaque celebrates two of the greatest female performers in British history, noting that both the legendary Prima Ballerina Assoluta and the brilliant virtuoso cellist shared this elegant Knightsbridge address. (Bonus trivia: Look closely and you’ll see the makers accidentally misspelled ‘assoluta’ with two ‘l’s on the physical plaque!)

James Hunt (7 & 8 Normand Mews, Fulham): The famously flamboyant 1976 Formula 1 World Champion moved into this quiet, gated mews cul-de-sac shortly after stepping away from professional racing. A privately installed blue plaque marks his residence here from 1980 to 1982.

Jeremy Lloyd OBE (40 Cadogan Lane, Belgravia): The brilliant comedic writer and actor behind beloved British television institutions like ‘Allo ‘Allo! and Are You Being Served? is remembered with a bright blue plaque mounted by the Heritage Foundation on his former home.

Terry-Thomas (11 Queen’s Gate Mews, South Kensington): Situated right next to the historic studio site of modernist sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein (No. 25), this bright blue Comic Heritage Plaque honours Britain’s quintessential gap-toothed comedic actor, who lived here from 1949 to 1981.

Sophie Fedorovitch (22 Bury Walk, Chelsea): Tucked away on a narrow lane, this striking toy-castle property features a rare white commemorative plaque. It honours the highly influential ballet and opera stage designer who lived and tragically died on the premises in 1953.

Agatha Christie (22 Cresswell Place, South Kensington): A private community plaque sits on the facade of this stunning mews home. Purchased by the author in the 1920s, the property provided the direct aesthetic inspiration for her famous Hercule Poirot short story, Murder in the Mews.

The Italian Job / Michael Caine (Denbigh Close Mews, Notting Hill): Cinema lovers will spot a private heritage marker tucked inside this Notting Hill mews. The lane served as the on-screen home of Michael Caine’s legendary character, Charlie Croker, in the classic 1969 film The Italian Job. Although not an official English Heritage blue plaque, the marker was privately commissioned to mark the film’s 50th anniversary and is located near the corner of Portobello Road and Denbigh Close.

Beatrice, Viscountess Samuel (Pembroke Square/Mews Area, Kensington): An independent black plaque serves as a poignant garden dedication to the Viscountess, celebrating her lifelong connection to the local neighbourhood where she was born, lived, and passed away.