Grade II* listed · Tower Hamlets

The Merchant Navy Memorial, Second World War section

The Merchant Navy Memorial, Second World War section is a Grade II* listed building in Tower Hamlets, first listed on 15 April 1998. It is one of 39 Grade II* entries among 904 listed buildings in Tower Hamlets; 90% of Tower Hamlets’s current entries were listed before it.

List entry
Field	Value
Name	The Merchant Navy Memorial, Second World War section
Grade	Grade II* — particularly important, more than special interest
List entry number	1031597
Date first listed	15 April 1998
Local planning authority	Tower Hamlets
Location	51.50993, -0.07770 (map)
Official record	Historic England list entry 1031597

Planning works on this listed building?

Planium checks which consents Tower Hamlets will require for your works on The Merchant Navy Memorial, Second World War section, lists what the heritage statement must cover and drafts the application text.

Ask Planium what consent you need

What the grade means for works

Grade II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest — about 5.8% of listed buildings. Applications for listed building consent are notified to Historic England.

The protection covers the whole building, inside and out, plus fixtures and attached structures. Typical works that need consent: replacing windows or doors, removing walls or historic fabric, changing roof coverings, installing solar panels or external insulation, and adding extensions.

Listed buildings near The Merchant Navy Memorial, Second World War section

Name	Grade	Distance
The Merchant Navy Memorial, First World War section	I	41 m
Revetment Wall to West and North Side of Moat, from Outwork Attached to Middle Tower (Qv) to Tower Hill Postern	II	82 m
41, Trinity Square and area railings	II	87 m
43, Trinity Square and area railings	II	93 m
Wine Cellars at Premises of Messers Asher Storey	II	100 m
8-10, Tower Hill	II	110 m
Portion of Old London Wall	I	116 m
Outer Curtain Wall with Casements and Mural Towers	I	137 m
Chapel of St Peter Ad Vincula	I	166 m
Tower of London (Inner curtain wall with mural towers, the New Armouries, the King's House and Tower Green)	I	171 m

Frequently asked questions

Is The Merchant Navy Memorial, Second World War section listed?

Yes. The Merchant Navy Memorial, Second World War section is on the National Heritage List for England as a Grade II* listed building, list entry number 1031597, first listed on 15 April 1998. The full list entry with its description and map is on Historic England’s website.

Do I need consent for works to The Merchant Navy Memorial, Second World War section?

Works that affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest — inside or out — need listed building consent from Tower Hamlets, in addition to any planning permission or building regulations approval. Like-for-like repairs often do not, but confirm with the council’s conservation officer before you start.

Source: National Heritage List for England, © Historic England 2026, via planning.data.gov.uk. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Retrieved 12 October 2026. Local authority assigned from the list entry point. This page is a summary — the legal record is the official list entry.