Audrey Hepburn and Marc Bolan among stars to get London blue plaque | Heritage

Audrey Hepburn, Marc Bolan and Una Marson are among those receiving a blue plaque for their impact on London’s cultural landscapes, English Heritage has announced.

The charity paid tribute to Hepburn, whose global fame brought international attention and prestige to the capital; Bolan, whose “glam rock” innovation redefined the city’s music scene in the 1970s; and Marson, the trailblazing Jamaican poet, playwright, broadcaster and campaigner for racial and gender equality.

Other figures being recognised by plaques are Alicia Markova, who was instrumental in positioning the city as a centre for world-class ballet, Barbara Pym, the renowned British novelist whose works such as Excellent Women captured a slice of postwar London’s social fabric, and Graham Sutherland, the influential British artist known for his Neo-Romantic landscapes and his controversial portrait of Winston Churchill.

The English Heritage curatorial director, Matt Thompson, said: “2025 marks an exciting year for the blue plaques scheme as we honour these outstanding individuals who transformed the cultural fabric of London.

“From literature and art to dance and music, these figures helped shape the London we know today. Their contributions not only had a profound impact on their fields but also continue to inspire generations.”

Bolan, the enigmatic frontman of T Rex, was known for his flamboyant style and electrifying stage presence. He captivated audiences with his fusion of rock, folk, and glittering theatrics, making hits such as Get It On and Ride a White Swan staples of the era.

His iconic look, featuring sequins, feather boas, and platform boots became the quintessential aesthetic of Glam Rock, and also challenged traditional notions of masculinity. The plaque will mark one of his west London addresses.

Hepburn’s early years in London, during which she transitioned from ballet to acting, will be commemorated with a blue plaque in Mayfair.

During this formative period, Hepburn landed her first film and stage roles, including her Broadway debut in Gigi. It was also while living in the city that her Oscar-winning portrayal of Princess Ann in Roman Holiday (1953) cemented her status as a Hollywood icon and an enduring symbol of grace and style.

Marson was one of the most influential Black figures of the 20th century. As the first Black woman to be employed as a programme assistant, and later as the first Black producer at the BBC, she spearheaded a wave of change in British broadcasting.

This included creating and producing programmes such as Calling the West Indies, which connected Caribbean service personnel in Britain with their families back home, and Caribbean Voices, which became a vital platform for emerging Caribbean writers.

Pym became known for her witty, insightful portrayals of single women’s lives following her debut novel Some Tame Gazelle (1950). She will be commemorated in Pimlico, from where her best-loved and best-known novel, Excellent Women, draws its inspiration and setting.

Sutherland captured the essence of natural and human forms in ways that challenged traditional artistic conventions. His 1954 portrait of Churchill highlighted his ability to provoke and engage with public discourse. The plaque will mark his childhood home in the suburbs of London.

The blue plaques scheme, which celebrates the link between significant figures of the past and the buildings in which they lived and worked, runs on public suggestions. English Heritage said all blue plaques were subject to full property owner approval.