Aerial view of central London
Aerial view of central London © Historic England 24414/011
Aerial view of central London © Historic England 24414/011

London History Day

London History Day is an annual celebration of the capital's extraordinary history and heritage, launched by Historic England in 2017.

London History Day takes place every year on 31 May - the day Big Ben first started keeping time.

Here are some ways you can get involved

  • Tell us about the people and places that inspire you on social media using the hashtag #LondonHistoryDay or tagging us @HistoricEngland on Twitter
  • See items from museums, galleries and archives telling amazing stories of London’s past. Follow #LondonHistoryDay on Twitter!
  • Explore the history of London with online maps and add your own
Discover arts and community initiatives you can get involved with
Enjoy the best virtual art and culture experiences

Celebrate London's people and places

Please click on the gallery images to enlarge.

View west down narrow London street towards St Paul's Cathedral dome. In the A black and white Victorian photo of London docks. Small boats are crowded together in the foreground. There are old, masted sailing ships in the background. General view of a crowd at speakers corner in Hyde Park, with a young black man on the platform with arm outstretched to the sky. 'london observed' negatives hyde park speakers corner greater london city of westminster paddington bayswater and knightsbridge Woman on a stepladder painting railings. A group of men and women celebrating outside a building. Band playing drums, saxaphone and banjos sitting on a platform with the conductor holding a violin and using the bow as a baton Archive photograph of Tower Bridge in the mist viewed from riverside gantries, looking east along the River Thames Archive photograph showing the triumphal arch with traffic on adjoining roads St Paul's Cathedral, general view from south east Lucy Hawley, London Zoo Children outside St Paul's Cathedral with London History Day balloons Sterling Betancourt, Musician, photographed at Powis Square Notting Hill. Two young girls sit beneath a rainbow painted on their front window A young girl follows a children’s yoga video in the living room A bus driver strikes a jovial stance while exercising on her break, while working during lockdown in London. A father and son look up at the ‘leafs’ in Southwark park Delivering food to homeless residents during lockdown

Supported by Mayor of London, City of London Corporation and Museum of London.

Also of interest

Visit a Historic Place
Keep it London
Self-Guided Virtual Heritage Walking Tours