For many years Mr C and I have wanted to visit the Temple church in London. The church is only open to visitors Monday to Friday and we have historically visited London on a Saturday.
We recently took a day trip to London using our discount railcards with the specific aim of visiting the Temple Church.
Before visiting the church, we had lunch in the Spaghetti House where due to the glorious weather we able to eat outside.
We enjoyed our visit to the church and learning the history behind it.
“Temple Church, steeped in the history of Christendom, this country and the whole Common Law World. 1162: the Round Church was built to be London’s Jerusalem. 1214–19: Magna Carta was negotiated in the Temple, and its greatest hero was buried in the Church. 1584, 1776, 1787: from Raleigh’s expeditions through the colonial constitutions to the American Declaration of Independence and Constitution, the Temple was the birthplace of American Law. And to this day the Church serves the legal colleges Inner and Middle Temple, London’s residents, visiting jurists and travellers from all over the world with some of the most uplifting services, music and discussions in London. “
After our visit we walked through Victoria Embankment Gardens soaking up the sunshine. Then with time to spare we intended to visit the National Gallery but there was a long queue so we decided to walk around the corner and visit the National Portrait Gallery instead.
Before entering the galleries, we had cake, sharing two different types with a raspberry and lime refresher to drink. We were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed the gallery and how much we had changed since our previous visit over 20 years ago.
Next, we visited Foyles book shop which was on Mr C’s ‘To Do’ list for the day. He didn’t purchase anything but somehow another board game found its way into my bag…
Now it was time to head back to the station for our return journey. We purchased refreshments including a New Yorker Rye Roll to eat on the train.
The train was on time and much to the surprise of our friends were able to join them for last orders in one of our local hostelries.
I have heard of this church. It’s the name that caught my attention first. It’s interesting to read about its history. I wanted to visit it during my recent trip to the UK but, due to lack of time, couldn’t make it.
I have just seen your posts for your recent visit to the UK. I am looking forward to reading about your UK adventure.
“And to this day the Church serves the legal colleges Inner and Middle Temple, London’s residents, visiting jurists and travellers from all over the world with some of the most uplifting services, music and discussions in London.“ Is this still true?
Yes it is still true.
https://www.templechurch.com/events/services
https://www.templechurch.com/royal-charter
It sounds like you managed to fit a lot into your day in London
I’ve heard of that church and would like to visit one day.
I am glad we managed to visit it eventually
Oh the Temple area is worth exploring if you have a full day in London.
It’s like a maze in there.
You should add the Fitzrovia Chapel to your “to do” list.
We have been in the temple area before. It was raining so we chose to do something else rather than explore the area.
PS: Fitzrovia Chapel looks amazing!
I’m glad you finally got to visit – a worthy reason for a day trip!
A week later we had another fun day trip to London
Fascinating, I didn’t know that about it being the birthplace of American law. Putting that on my list to visit someday, which is now quite long, thanks to Mon Cherie!
(Methinks some Americans need to visit this temple again for a refresher course, but I’ll digress
)
There is a lot of history in this small space.
The church was rebuilt after it was severely damaged in WWII