The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) Blue Plaque scheme commemorates notable people, places, and events linked to the borough by installing permanent signs on local buildings. These plaques serve as historical markers, recognizing individuals who have lived or worked in the borough, or significant buildings and events that occurred there. The scheme aims to celebrate the borough’s rich history and heritage.
One of the Blue Plaques of the RBWM area; image: Derek Hunt.
As of 2025, nearly forty blue plaques have been unveiled throughout the borough. There is a real cross-section of people and places that have made a real mark. We are pleased to present them here. It also includes those that are now inaccessible or have been withdrawn from the published RBWM list. This page is evolving (polite way of saying it is a work in progress), so please do come back in a few weeks to see the finished article.
People
Arthur Christopher Benson
Wrote the lyrics of Edward Elgar’s Coronation Ode, including the words of “Land of Hope and Glory”, Image: Allen Hastings Fry; public domain.
Awarded the Victoria Cross in Loos, France, for actions in 1915. He lived in Windsor from 1919- 1940 and was a commissionaire at the White Hart Hotel. Image: Army, MOD. [12]
A successful printer and publisher in London, bequeathed house and land for the poor of Waltham St Lawrence. Image: temporary.
Richard Dimbleby
Renowned radio and TV broadcaster. A BAFTA, a lecture and a Cancer Charity have been set up in his memory. Image: Richard Dimbleby Cancer Fund. [13]
Edward Richard Henry
Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis from 1903 to 1918. Best known as the inventor of the ‘Henry’ Finger Printing Classification System. Image: source unknown.
Sir Edwin Lutyens
Chief Architect of New Delhi, the designer of the Whitehall Cenotaph and the George V Memorial in Windsor. Image: The Lutyens Trust. [15]
Designer for Hawker Aircraft Company, including the Hurricane, Typhoon, Tempest, Sea Fury, Hunter, and major innovative parts of the Harrier. Image: public domain.
On 15 Dec 1900, Engleheart was awarded the Victoria Cross for an act of extreme bravery carried out under direct enemy fire during the Second Boer War. Image: Datchet Village Society. [27]
A successful 19th-century military commander, with important victories during the 2nd Afghan War and revitalised the campaign in the Boer War. Awarded VC during the Indian Mutiny. [28]
Sir Nicholas Winton MBE
The Kindertransport Hero: saved the lives of 669 Jewish children before they were sent to concentration camps and has created a lasting legacy. A Freeman of Windsor. Image: Wikipedia. [29]
Theodore Randue
He left £500 in his will to allow the building of the Royal Free School on Church Lane. It opened in 1726 with pupils moving from temporary accommodation thought to be at the local Church Vestry. Image: Royal Collection. [30]
Commemorates the origin of civic life in Maidenhead. Image: Max Frank. [20]
King Edward VII Gateway
Commemorated as the walkway through to Alexandra Gardens, the land of which was donated by Sir Jesse Boot. Image: Stephen Palmer. [22]
Windsor Bridge
Commemorates Joseph Taylor, who obtained the removal of tolls in 1898, and Charles Hollis, architect of the cast-iron 1824 Windsor Bridge. Image: VisitWindsor. [23]
York Road, Maidenhead Utd
Recognised by the FA and FIFA as the world’s oldest senior football ground in continuous use by the same club. Image: Cls14, Wikipedia. [25]
King George V Memorial
Design by Sir Edwin Lutyens, R.A., and was unveiled by King George VI on 23rd April I937 on the site of the old Brewery. Image: RWWS. [24]
Queen Charlotte Street
At fifty-one feet ten inches in length is recorded as the shortest street in Britain. Image: WLHG.
Princess Christian Hospital
Originally a nurse’s home, it became a hospital. Shows close links between Windsor and the Royal family. Finally closed in 2005. Image: WESoc. [26]
White Plaques
HG Wells
Renowned author, best known for his pioneering works in science fiction, including ‘The Time Machine‘ and ‘The War of the Worlds, worked in Windsor and stayed at Surly Hall at the weekends.
Brown Plaques
Doris Mellor MBE
Born in Windsor, she fought and won the battle to preserve Bachelors’ Acre for the town. Actively involved in the Windsor and Eton Society. Image: Windlesora 25, WLHG. [32]
Recognition
The RBWM website provide information about the blue plaques, and others provided the images. We thank them for their assistance.
Windsor Local History Group 