St Paul’s Cathedral ( www.stpauls.co.uk )
Ludgate Hill.  Tube: Saint Pauls, Central Line

Saint Paul’s was designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren to replace the previous cathedral on the same site which was destroyed by the Great Fire in the 17th century Wren is buried in the Crypt. The inscription on the memorial reads ‘If you seek his memorial look around you’ Wren also designed many other churches in the City.

The cathedral is open Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 4pm Sundays for services only.  Tours 11am, 11.30am 1.30pm and 2pm Monday-Saturday. It is possible to to climb up to the dome from where one has a magnificent view of London. 

Saint Paul’s was where the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer (as she was then) were married.  This was a break from tradition as royal weddings usually take place at Westminster Abbey. Saint Paul’s contains a vast memorial to the Duke of Wellington and a monument in memory of the Americans who died in Great Britain during world war II along with a Book of Remembrance 

Saint Paul’s Cathedral

Westminster Abbey ( www.westminster-abbey.org ) Situated opposite the House of Parliament. Tube: Westminster, District, Circle and Jubilee Lines.

Nave and Royal Chapels open Mon-Friday 9.45 am 4.45 pm. Saturday 9 am to 2.45 pm There are other parts of the Abbey which can be visited. The times vary so check out the web site as above.

The Abbey is closely connected with the Royal Family and was founded by William the Conqueror (1066). on the site of the orginal Saxon church. Most kings and queens have been crowned here since the time of William the Conqueror and many of them are buried here.

The Abbey has monuments to legions of poets, musicians, statesmen and scientists.

Very little remains of the original abbey building. The gothic nave and choir were rebuilt by Henry III in the 13th century.  The Henry VII chapel was added in the 16th century.  The west towers were added by Hawksmoor in the 18th Century.

Southwark Cathedral ( www.dswark.org ) Opposite London Bridge Railway station at the southern end of London Bridge. Southwark Cathedral is very close to Shakespeare’s Globe theatre and Tate Modern gallery. Tube: London Bridge North and Jubilee Lines.Open 8 am - 6 pm daily. Tours by appointment. Phone for details    020 7367 6367

The first church on this site may date from the 7th Century and it became an Anglican cathedral in 1905. There is a visitors’ centre with a state of the art displays on Southwark past and present. There is a tablet in commemoration of Sam Wannamaker who initiated the project to rebuild Shakespeare’s Globe theatre.

Saint Bartholomew-the-Great                     ( www.greatstbarts.com )
West Smithfield - near to Smithfield meat market and Saint Bartholomew’s hospital and Saint Paul’s Cathedral.
Tube: Saint Paul’s Central Line or Barbican.
Open times vary according to the day and month so please check out the web site as above.

This ancient church begun in 1123 was much reduced in size during Henry VIII’s time but is a hidden gem just a few minutes from Saint Paul’s cathedral. This is the church which appeared in the films  “Four weddings and a funeral” and “Shakespeare in love”   Well worth a visit - put it on your list !