Midland Bank WWI Memorial

The Midland Bank building on Poultry in the City of London holds a quiet memorial to the bank's staff who died in the First World War. It's easy to walk past without noticing - most people do - but if you look up at the stonework, you'll find their names carved into the fabric of the building itself. Around 80 men and women lost their lives, their sacrifice marked not with fanfare but with this understated tribute that's been there for over a century.

You won't spend hours here. It's a five-minute stop at best, something to tick off when you're already exploring the City's medieval streets and Georgian squares. History buffs and those interested in how the war touched every corner of British life will find it moving, even if it requires craning your neck. The financial district has changed vastly since then, but this building - now Grade II listed - remains a solid reminder that the war wasn't just fought on distant fields.

It's free to view from the street, and there's no admission or opening hours to worry about. If you're staying at Abbey Wood Experience Freedom Glamping nearby, this is worth weaving into a day wandering the City's older quarters. The area around Bank station offers plenty of other historical architecture to soak in while you're at it. Don't expect crowds or interpretation boards. Just a building with a story that asks you to look closer.