Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ
Giro the German Ambassador’s Dog
Tiny historic site
Place photograph
2.9
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Quirky
Feel
Why it's Wildland
2.9A tiny gravestone at the former German Embassy commemorates Giro, the companion of ambassador Leopold von Hoesch. Its inscription, dated February 1934, calls him “Ein treuer Begleiter” — “a faithful companion”.
This is a very small urban history stop rather than a wild landscape. Its appeal is the unexpectedly personal memorial and the layered story of the former German Embassy, the Weimar-era diplomat who lived there, and a dog whose death is partly shrouded in uncertainty.
Quirky · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapCarlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ
Opening map…
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The experience
A brief stop to locate and read Giro’s gravestone, then consider its setting beside the former German Embassy at No. 9 Carlton House Terrace. The memorial may not be directly accessible, so check before making a special trip.
Things to do
Read the gravestone inscription
Look for Giro’s name and “Ein treuer Begleiter” — translated as “a faithful companion” — followed by the London and February 1934 date.
5–10 minutes
Notice the former embassy setting
The memorial is associated with No. 9 Carlton House Terrace, which served as the German Embassy. Consider how a small private memorial sits within a prominent diplomatic address.
5–10 minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Find Giro’s memorial
- 01
Go to the area beside No. 9 Carlton House Terrace, near the top of the Duke of York Steps.
- 02
Check whether the memorial is visible and accessible from the public side of the railings; do not enter restricted grounds.
- 03
Read the inscription and note its February 1934 date.
Half day · 1–2 hours
Put Giro’s story in its diplomatic setting
- 01
Visit the memorial area at Carlton House Terrace, subject to access.
- 02
Use the inscription as a starting point to consider the former German Embassy and Leopold von Hoesch’s time as ambassador.
- 03
Read the sourced account of the memorial’s history, including the uncertainty around Giro’s death and the reported relocation of the stone.
Verified history
The inscription records Giro’s name and February 1934. Leopold von Hoesch, the German ambassador, lived at No. 9 Carlton House Terrace; the building was the German Embassy until the outbreak of the Second World War. The tombstone is reported to have been moved in the late 1960s after building work. Accounts disagree about Giro’s breed: sources describe him as a terrier or German Shepherd. The claimed electrocution after chewing an electrical cable is not established by the supplied accounts as a verified fact.
Folklore & legend
A popular account says Giro died after chewing through an electrical cable. The supplied sources describe this as a story or tradition and say that it is unconfirmed; it should not be presented as established fact.
Hidden details
The wording on the stone — The German phrase “Ein treuer Begleiter” means “a faithful companion”. The inscription also gives London, February 1934, and the name Hoesch.
A memorial that has moved — The tombstone is not reported to be in its original position. Accounts say it was moved after building work in the late 1960s.
When to go
· Daylight, when the small inscription is easier to see.
The memorial is a small urban historic feature, with no seasonal nature or landscape experience documented in the supplied sources.
Check conditions and access before travelling; no weather-specific visitor information is supplied.
What to look for
Look for the small stone bearing Giro’s name and the German inscription “Ein treuer Begleiter”, followed by “London im Februar 1934” and “Hoesch”. The tombstone is reported to have been moved from its original position after building work in the late 1960s.
The story
American connection
Best time to go
Any time of year, subject to access.
Daylight makes the small memorial easier to see. Check access before setting out.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Solo · Couples · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The small tombstone is described as being behind railings beside No. 9 Carlton House Terrace, near the top of the Duke of York Steps. Access to the memorial itself is unclear; check before visiting and do not enter restricted grounds. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
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Parking
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The memorial is described as being behind railings. Step-free access and access to the stone itself are not verified; check before visiting.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Giro the German Ambassador’s Dog
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
