Nell Gwynne - blue plaque
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Nell Gwynne - blue plaque by Stephen McKay as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
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Nell Gwynne - blue plaque
Image: © Stephen McKay Taken: 31 Dec 2025
Hereford City Council's blue plaque on Gwynne Street tells us that Nell Gwynne was born here in 1650, founded the Chelsea Hospital and was mother of the first Duke of St Albans. This might be described as a selective reading of history. In fact it is far from certain where or even when she was born (London or Oxford are other possibilties and it may have been in 1642). She became an actress but is best known for having been the mistress of King Charles II - a fact that the plaque coyly omits to mention. The Duke of St Albans, Charles Beauclerk, was her and Charles' illegitimate son.
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Image Location
Latitude
52.053495
Longitude
-2.71805