London Buildings West End Southwark CathedralSouthwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral near London Bridge station could hardly be accused of hiding, being there 
for all to see it in the shadow of Europe's tallest building - The Shard. However, relatively few venture inside and are missing out on a remarkable interior and rich history. A church was first thought to have been built on the site in 606 but evidence is lacking, though [pagan] places of worship existed here in Roman times, around 300 AD.
Southwark is at the oldest crossing point on the Thames, opposite the entrance to the City of London on the northern bank. Successive churches were built and each succumbed to fire damage, before the present building was erected between 1220 and 1420, becoming the first Gothic church in London. Thomas Becket preached from the pulpit here, a few days before returning to Canterbury and his murder at the hands of Henry II's knights in 1170. Over the next five centuries the church was subjected to frequent upheaval, reflected in the significant changes to England's state religion. Henry VIII closed the priory during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and converted the main building to a parish church - St. Saviour's. During Mary I's reign, the protestant 'Marian Martyrs' were condemned to death in the Retrochoir, by Stephen Gardiner, the Bishop of Winchester. It was a hazardous time to be vocal about your church and beliefs, as England swung back and forth from Catholic to Protestant during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I (Lady Jane Grey with 9 days on the throne, didn't really have time to express a preference - though was protestant nonetheless).
The interior of the cathedral was recently added in 1890 as part of the process of turning the parish church into a cathedral. Much of the older church still
remains however, including a monument to Shakespeare, who regularly worshipped there. It sits below a stained glass window showing popular characters from his plays, with an alabaster likeness of the playwright lounging with a quill in his hand. Czech Wenceslaus Hollar drew the "Long View of London" in 1638, from the tower of Southwark Priory. A panorama which became a definitive impression of 17th century London.
There's much to see in this neighbourhood of London along the Thames Walk. The Tate Modern, Golden Hinde, Borough Market and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre are all nearby. Try to set aside some time to look in on Southwark Cathedral which is stunning and predates everything nearby. It has a magical atmosphere and has borne witness to many key events and characters in London's History.
Opening hours: Daily 8am-6pm - Free (suggested donation - £4)
Sunday services: 8:45 Morning Prayer, 9am Eucharist, 11am Choral Eucharist, 3pm Choral Evensong, 6:30pm '6:30 at Southwark'.
Southwark Cathedral; Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie,
Montague Close, London Bridge, London SE1 9DA
Nearest Tube: London Bridge.
Call: 020 7367 6700
Accessibility: Access to all levels available via lifts or fixed and portable ramps.
