Postman's Park & Watts Memorial
A small public garden between St Paul's Cathedral and the Barbican, named for its proximity to the former General Post Office. The centrepiece is the Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, conceived by painter George Frederic Watts and unveiled in 1900: a long timber-framed loggia housing individually hand-lettered Doulton ceramic tiles, each commemorating an ordinary person who died saving another's life. The tiles are glazed in Arts and Crafts style with art nouveau lettering in white, green, and brown — extraordinary close-up detail work. The loggia is north-facing, rarely in direct sunlight, creating naturally sheltered, evenly-lit conditions ideal for photography. The park itself is small and intimate with mature London plane trees. Featured prominently in the film Closer (2004) — Jude Law's character brings Natalie Portman's character to the memorial. Open Monday-Friday, hours vary seasonally. Busiest at weekday lunchtimes 12-2pm. Early morning is best.
