Tower Hill Memorial
Honouring 35,000 merchant seafarers with no grave but the sea—a dual memorial to two world wars.
A solemn dual memorial in Trinity Square Gardens honouring merchant seafarers and fishermen lost in both World Wars. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for WWI (unveiled 1928) and Sir Edward Maufe for WWII (completed 1955), the memorial bears over 35,000 names of those with no grave but the sea. The first section is a vaulted stone corridor with bronze name panels; the second is a sunken garden offering peaceful reflection amid London's bustling City.
A brief summary to Tower Hill Memorial
- Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4DH, GB
- +441628507200
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
Local tips
- Visit early morning or late afternoon for a quieter, more contemplative experience. The memorial attracts fewer visitors during these times, allowing for peaceful reflection.
- Read the information boards in the gardens to understand the historical context of merchant marine losses and the stories behind specific vessels and individuals commemorated.
- Explore the entire Trinity Square Gardens complex, which includes medieval walls, a Falkland Islands memorial, and the historic Port of London Authority building.
- The memorial is free to visit and accessible year-round. Bring a notebook if you wish to record names of particular significance to you or your family.
- Visit on Remembrance Sunday (second Sunday in November) or 11 November for special commemorative events and ceremonies honouring the fallen.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Information Boards
- Trash Bins
Getting There
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London Underground
Tower Hill station on the District and Circle lines is directly adjacent to the memorial. Journey times from central London vary: approximately 5 minutes from Bank, 8 minutes from Monument, 12 minutes from Liverpool Street. The station exit opens directly onto Tower Hill, a 1-minute walk to the memorial gates. Service runs every 2–5 minutes during peak hours, every 5–10 minutes off-peak. Single fare within London zones 1–2 costs approximately £1.75–£2.80 depending on payment method.
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Bus
Multiple bus routes serve Tower Hill: routes 15, 42, 78, and 100 stop on Tower Hill or nearby streets. Journey times from central locations range from 10–25 minutes depending on traffic and starting point. Buses run frequently throughout the day. A single bus fare in London costs £1.75 with contactless payment or Oyster card, or £2.80 with cash.
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Walking
Tower Hill is highly accessible on foot from surrounding attractions. From Tower of London (immediately adjacent, less than 1 minute), from London Bridge station (approximately 8–10 minutes via pedestrian routes), or from Monument station (approximately 10–12 minutes). The area has level pavements and clear signage. Trinity Square Gardens is enclosed and accessed through metal gates at street level.
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Taxi or Ride-Share
Licensed black cabs and ride-share services (Uber, Bolt) operate throughout London. Journey times to Tower Hill from central locations typically range from 10–20 minutes depending on traffic. Fares vary; expect £8–£20 from central London locations. The memorial has no dedicated parking, but nearby car parks include Tower of London car park and Byward Tower car park, both within walking distance.
Tower Hill Memorial location weather suitability
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Any Weather
Discover more about Tower Hill Memorial
A Monument to Those Lost at Sea
Tower Hill Memorial stands in Trinity Square Gardens as a profound tribute to merchant seafarers and fishermen who perished in the First and Second World Wars. Unlike military memorials that honour soldiers fallen on land, this site commemorates over 35,000 individuals—nearly 12,000 from the First World War and approximately 24,000 from the Second—who have no known grave, their final resting place the vast expanse of the ocean. The memorial's dual structure reflects two distinct architectural visions separated by nearly three decades, yet united in purpose: to ensure that those who died at sea are remembered and honoured.Lutyens' Vision: The First World War Memorial
The original memorial was commissioned following the devastating losses sustained by British merchant shipping during the First World War. More than 17,000 merchant mariners died, and approximately 3,300 British and Empire-registered commercial vessels were sunk through enemy action. The Imperial War Graves Commission (now the Commonwealth War Graves Commission) selected Sir Edwin Lutyens, the renowned architect responsible for New Delhi and the Cenotaph in Whitehall, to design an appropriate commemoration. Lutyens initially envisioned a massive arch on the banks of the River Thames, but authorities rejected this proposal. A compromise was reached, and the memorial was constructed on Crown land in Trinity Square Gardens, a site with deep maritime heritage despite being further from the river. The First World War section takes the form of a vaulted corridor reminiscent of a Doric temple, constructed from Portland stone with walls clad in twelve bronze panels bearing the names of the fallen. The structure is deliberately enclosed and somewhat austere, creating an intimate space of remembrance. Queen Mary unveiled the memorial on 12 December 1928 in a ceremony broadcast live on radio—her first solo public engagement and the first time a British monarch used the medium for such an occasion. Despite torrential rain, the unveiling drew a large crowd who cheered as the Queen departed.Maufe's Addition: The Second World War Memorial
Following the Second World War, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission determined that Tower Hill remained the most appropriate location for a new memorial. Sir Edward Maufe, architect of Guildford Cathedral and the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede, was commissioned to design an addition that would complement Lutyens' original while harmonising with the surrounding architecture, including the Port of London Authority building. Work began in 1952 and was completed in 1955. Maufe's design presented a striking contrast to Lutyens' enclosed corridor: a semi-circular sunken garden flooded with natural light, with names inscribed on the surrounding walls. This open, contemplative space feels less imposing and more conducive to quiet reflection. Queen Elizabeth II unveiled this section on 5 November 1955 in a modest ceremony concluded with the sounding of the Last Post by Royal Marines buglers, answered by a single ship's horn from the River Thames.The Significance of Merchant Marine Losses
The scale of the Second World War memorial reflects the vital contribution of the Merchant Navy to the British war effort. Although overall British military casualties in the Second World War were substantially lower than in the First, merchant marine losses tell a different story. These figures underscore Britain's dependence on imported food and materiel during the conflict and the ferocity of German U-boat and naval assaults on British shipping. The memorial stands as testimony to the fact that Britain could have been defeated had it been starved of essential supplies. Each name represents not only a loss of life but a critical vulnerability in the nation's survival.A Peaceful Sanctuary in the Heart of the City
Despite its prominent location directly across from the Tower of London and adjacent to the tube station, the memorial remains a tranquil, enclosed space seemingly insulated from the surrounding traffic and urban noise. The metal gates open onto a sanctuary where the pace of the city slows, and visitors naturally pause to pay respects. The gardens also contain other memorials, including an anchor statue dedicated to those lost in the Falkland Islands conflict, medieval walls built on Roman foundations, and the imposing white Port of London Authority building overlooking the site. This layering of history—from Roman times through medieval fortifications to twentieth-century warfare—makes Trinity Square Gardens a unique repository of London's maritime and military heritage.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Tower Hill Memorial
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Honouring 35,000 merchant seafarers with no grave but the sea—a dual memorial to two world wars.
1 Tower Hl Ter
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Madison
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Lyle's
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The Clove Club
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St. John
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Sea Containers Restaurant
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Petticoat Lane Market
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The Royal Exchange
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Fashion St
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Commercial St
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Borough Yards
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Spitalfields Market
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Sclater Street Market
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Solemn
- Reflective
- Respectful
- Unique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Minimalist Designs
- Modern Designs
- Art Deco Styles
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Sacred Sites
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Protected Area
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Mindfulness
- Meditation Spot
- Spiritual / Energy Spot
- Cultural Heritage
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
