The National Covid Memorial Wall in London

A Living Tribute to Lives Lost

The National Covid Memorial Wall stands as a solemn and moving tribute to the more than 240,000 people who died in the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Stretching for 500 metres along the Albert Embankment between Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Bridge, the wall is covered with individually hand-painted red and pink hearts. Each heart symbolizes a single life lost, many of which bear personal messages, names, drawings, or poems left by bereaved families. This visual sea of hearts creates a powerful and emotional reminder of the pandemic's devastating impact on communities across the nation.

Origins and Creation

The wall was conceived and painted in March 2021 by volunteers working with the campaign group Led By Donkeys and Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice. Over 1,000 volunteers painted approximately 150,000 hearts in just 10 days, transforming grief into a public and enduring memorial. Since its inception, the wall has grown as families continue to add dedications. The memorial was created without official authorization but has since gained recognition and support from local authorities and government.

Ongoing Care and Community

A volunteer group called the Friends of the Wall, many of whom have lost loved ones to the virus, maintain the memorial. They repaint faded hearts with long-lasting masonry paint, rewrite dedications, remove graffiti, and add new hearts to ensure the memorial remains vibrant and respectful. The wall is also a place of weekly gathering for these volunteers, fostering a sense of community and shared healing among those affected by the pandemic.

Location and Symbolism

Situated directly opposite the Palace of Westminster, the wall’s location is deeply symbolic, serving as a visible reminder to lawmakers of the human cost of the pandemic. It runs alongside St Thomas’ Hospital, connecting the memorial to frontline healthcare workers’ efforts. The wall also incorporates a plaque commemorating victims of the 1994-96 BSE outbreak, linking past public health crises.

Recognition and Future Preservation

In March 2023, the Commission for Covid Commemoration recommended that the wall become a permanent national memorial. On 13 November 2025, it was officially announced that the National Covid Memorial Wall would be preserved permanently. This decision ensures that the memorial will continue to honor those lost and provide a place for reflection and remembrance for future generations.

Visitor Experience and Dedications

Visitors to the wall are invited to add their own dedications within empty hearts, with the guideline that each heart represents one individual life lost. For those unable to visit in person, the Friends of the Wall offer to add dedications on their behalf, photographing and recording the location. The memorial’s open-air setting along the Thames allows for contemplative walks alongside the river, with striking views of London’s iconic landmarks enhancing the reflective atmosphere.