Blue Plaques
Information about Blue Plaque People and Events
Cambridge’s Blue Plaques mark the people, places and stories that have shaped the city, making history visible in the streets where it happened. Run by Cambridge Past, Present & Future, the scheme celebrates contribution, context and connection, helping residents and visitors see Cambridge with fresh eyes.
What is a Blue Plaque
A Blue Plaque is a permanent marker placed on a building or site with a significant historical association. Each plaque tells a concise story, linking a person, place or moment to Cambridge’s wider social, cultural or scientific history.
Our Blue Plaques scheme:
Celebrates contribution, not just fame
Connects everyday places to hidden or overlooked histories
Supports a broader, more inclusive picture of Cambridge’s past
Explore Cambridge’s Blue Plaques
Blue Plaques can be found across the city, offering moments of discovery as you walk, cycle or explore Cambridge’s neighbourhoods.
You can:
Visit plaques in situ and learn about their stories
Explore plaques online before or after your visit
Use them as starting points for deeper learning, teaching or research
How to Nominate a Person or Event for a Blue Plaque
Anyone can propose a Blue Plaque.
We welcome suggestions that are well-researched, evidence-based and clearly connected to Cambridge. We are particularly keen to consider proposals that add depth, diversity or fresh perspective to the city’s history.
To be considered, proposals should:
Demonstrate a strong and well-evidenced Cambridge connection
Show why the story is historically significant
Explain how the plaque would contribute to public understanding
All proposals are assessed against our published criteria before approval. Read the criteria here.
How the Blue Plaques Scheme Works
Proposals are submitted by members of the public
Historical research and verification are undertaken
Proposals are reviewed and approved through a formal process
Plaques are funded, produced and installed with the agreement of property owners
Each Blue Plaque is the result of collaboration between historians, communities, supporters and partners.
Support the Blue Plaques Programme
The Blue Plaques scheme is supported through donations, sponsorship and membership.
Funding helps cover:
Historical research and verification
Plaque production and installation
Interpretation and long-term care
By supporting the programme, you help ensure Cambridge’s history remains visible, inclusive and alive for future generations.
Who decides who should get a blue plaque?
The Cambridge & District Blue Plaque Scheme is run by local charity Cambridge Past Present & Future. A group of dedicated volunteers makes up our Blue Plaque Committee. They include local historians and representatives from Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire councils. The committee considers requests for blue plaques and decides whether or not one should be put up.
One of the biggest challenges is finding a relevant building where the plaque is visible to the public and the property owner is willing to have the plaque.
There are several people that we would like to commemorate but we are unable to put the plaque on a relevant building.
We also have to raise around £1,200 for each plaque. This is easier if the person/event is connected in some way to an organisation or family that would be willing to contribute towards the cost of the plaque and a celebratory event. Or if the person or group nominating would be willing to help raise the funds for a plaque. If you are nominating a plaque, please tell us if you or your group would be willing to help.
People to be commemorated should:
- Have been dead for at least ten years.
- Have lived in the area.
- Be eminent through their profession or calling.
- Have made a significant contribution to the life of the Cambridge area and its residents.
- Merit recognition because of an outstanding or notorious act.
- Have had a connection with the Cambridge area, beyond being only a university student.
Events to be commemorated should:
- Have occurred at least ten years ago.
- Be recognisable to the majority of the general public.
- Have significance in the history of the Cambridge area, UK or world.
Please email your nomination here (there is no form to fill in, just tell us in your own words).