What’s on this one? Here’s a taster: fan vaulting, Bow bells, a Mediterranean courtyard, a sermon timer, a mighty organ beneath Christopher Wren’s most beautiful dome…
Want a five-word distillation of the tour? Visual feast, no dull moments.
The tour begins at 10.30 am outside Cannon Street tube station and takes in the Wren churches St Mary Aldermary with its fan-vaulting delicate as lace,
St Vedast with its discreet Mediterranean courtyard, St Mary-le-Bow with its bells and Norman crypt,
St Lawrence Jewry with its mayoral connections and St Stephen’s Walbrook
with the architect’s rehearsal dome where the tour ends in time for the free lunchtime organ recital which you may stay for.
The tour also includes non-Wren churches St Giles Cripplegate with links to Shakespeare, Milton, Cromwell and Bunyan and Hawksmoor’s St Mary Woolnoth with links to TS Eliot and Revd John Newton, slaver turned abolitionist and author of Amazing Grace.
Mark Craig –
This is an excellent tour. Rick knows his Wren churches and then some. Wonderful to have met another musician as well. His tour was thoroughly enjoyable. We learned so much about architecture, history, and churches. I would highly recommend this tour!
Susanna –
Excellently guided by Rick through the City’s Wren churches. This also included a most charming courtyard , alleys that I would never go by myself, the
chiming of the Bow bells. All with expert knowledge and well delivered. 29/07/2022
and an organ recital by Bach , Wibberley etc..
Tom S –
We’ve been on many London Walks over the years, however, this one stands out as the best. We would have never found these churches or learned about the City of London and its church history without our knowledgable guide, Rick. A very enjoyable 2 hour walk with an impressive recitation of John Milton thrown in!
Jenny Bassett –
Excellent and informative tour with a very knowledgeable guide who imparted his knowledge in an entertaining and interesting fashion. It was the little gems of information that made the difference. I cannot recommend this tour highly enough.
Melanie –
A wonderful tour of some of Wren’s churches and so many fascinating nuggets about them from Rick. Many of them are completely hidden away and easy to miss, looking nothing grand from the outside, but then reveal glorious interiors. Find out why St Mary-le-Bow is so called and visit the church where Wren constructed his first (and the first in the country) dome then stay on for an (optional) organ recital. Highly recommend. Thank you Rick!
Anne-Marie Brennan –
I’ve done lots of London Walks and so far this is a favorite. Before the walk I was a bit snooty about visiting non medieval (later) churches-but of course most of the medieval city churches were destroyed by the Great Fire and the Blitz. This walk was quite an education! The city churches are amazingly diverse, fascinating and many provide support and diversion for city workers. Rick is an expert on their history. The organ recital at the end of the walk by the organist at Norwich Cathedral was the icing on the cake for me!
lesley –
Excellent tour led by the very knowledgeable and entertaining Rick. Impeccably timed to hear the Bow Bells peal and optional lovely organ recital at the end.
Lesley –
Excellent tour of Wren churches. Rick so knowledgeable and entertaining even singing the Biw bells peak to us. Impeccable timing culminating in an optional organ recital
Claire C –
A fascinating City walk showcasing some of the most beautiful Wren churches which have served fire, bomb and blitz. You will marvel at Wren’s fan vaulting, enjoy the silence of an ancient crypt and wander into a charming Mediterranean courtyard , whilst hearing about the many interesting historical and literary connections of these churches. Rick is a most engaging and erudite guide. Highly recommended.