Postman's Park, City of London

Entering Postman's Park from the St Martin Le Grand entrance.

Postman's Park is one of those hidden gems that I love to visit.

Despite it's proximity to the Museum of London, it was always a quiet place to visit, with tourists either not knowing about it, or simply ignoring this little oasis.

Now that the Museum of London has closed, it is moving to Smithfields, I expect that even fewer people, except those in the know, will visit this wonderful place.

Postman's Park fountain.

I think another of the reasons that many people aren't aware of Postman's Park is the entrances. 

The St Martin Le Grand's entrance, with its iron gate, looks like you are entering a churchyard, which, I suppose, you are.

The King Edward Street entrance, on the other hand, gives more away, but it still doesn't reveal everything that awaits those who enter the park.

Memorial to Heroic Self-sacrifice, City of London

More than just a park.

Saturday January 31, 2015.

It was during a wet Saturday morning, in January, when I found this quiet little park. I had been enjoying a stroll from St Paul's Cathedral, through Paternoster Square and up to Greyfriars Church Garden, when I noticed a gate leading into a small park. So, I went in to see if there was anything of interest. And, boy, was there. 

The park appears, at first, to be simply a small patch of grass, surrounded by paving slabs and benches, with a few trees and bushes breaking up the space. As you move further into the park you notice a sundial and a small fountain. 

A very sombre place.

However, it is not until you enter the park proper that you notice a small, covered area, with ornate tiles affixed to a wall. The legend, written on the timber, says, "Commemoration of heroic self-sacrifice."

The tiles all commemorate local heroes who lost their lives while saving others.