From London's first free lending library to the first religious broadcast, St Martin's has broken new ground in reference to what it means to be a church.

It was built around 1222, in an area at the periphery of the City of Westminster, where there was some vacant land, hence the 'in-the-fields' moniker. Hard to believe as today, Trafalgar Square is regarded to be London's centre, and all road distances are calculated to the nearby plaque, south of the main square.

The current building dates from 1721, and was widely criticised at the time, but has since become one of the most widely referenced buildings in existence, especially in the United States.

The building holds evening and lunchtime concerts (which are free). They are however, enormously popular so early booking is essential. At the time of writing, the next season's programme at lunchtime is almost fully booked, 12 months in advance.

You can however, opt to pay and visit either candle-lit classical concerts in the main church, or jazz concerts in the crypt.



Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ.

Charing Cross or Leicester Square Tube.

Call: Tel: 020 7766 1100