Southwark Cathedral, London

Known as "suth-uck" in pronunciation, this stands as London's oldest Gothic church, with certain sections tracing their origins back to the 12th century. Despite its historical significance, it remains somewhat tucked away from the usual tourist path, even though it houses notable memorials, including a late-13th-century wooden effigy of a knight. Additionally, it hosts a concert program featuring complimentary half-hour organ recitals at 1:20pm every Monday (except for August and December) and classical music performances at 3:15pm every Tuesday during the school year.

Originally established as a priory, Southwark later served as a palace church under Henry VIII until it was purchased by merchant parishioners in 1611. It achieved cathedral status in 1905, but endured significant damage during the London Blitz of 1941. Germany dropped an estimated 1,600 explosive bombs on this site during the war, and remnants of shrapnel damage are still visible on its exterior.

Be sure to seek out the vibrant 15th-century roof bosses (intricate ornamental wood carvings), as well as the brightly refurbished tomb of John Gower, who served as the poet laureate to Richard II and was a friend of Chaucer. Another notable feature is the Harvard Chapel, where John Harvard, a local butcher's son who later founded the American university, was baptized in 1607. In the south aisle, you'll find a memorial to Shakespeare, who worshipped here, and above it, there's a stained-glass window depicting characters from his plays. The churchyard has been transformed into a herb garden, and the charming Millennium Courtyard leads to the riverside.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Southwark Cathedral
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in London, England

Create Your Own Walk in London

Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Walk around Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace, the British monarch's official residence, is a must-see for anyone visiting London, but so are the adjacent royal establishments that give a unique window into the royal way of life. On this self-guided walking tour, along with Buckingham Palace and its memorable fountain, you will visit the St. James's private royal residence, the wonderful Queen's Gallery, and... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Jane Austen鈥檚 London

The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham鈥檚 elopement in 鈥淧ride & Prejudice.鈥�

One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles

South Bank Walking Tour

The South Bank is a stretch of the Thames in London that is beautiful to walk through because there are so many iconic and magnificent things to see along the way. A lively and ever-changing area at the heart of London鈥檚 cultural scene, it also has the advantage of offering views across the Thames to some of the most famous buildings anywhere. The Palace of Westminster is the major feature in... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

Sherlock Holmes Tour in London

Among a myriad of other, real-life celebrities who have ever called London their home, perhaps the most famous is the fictional consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes, created by Conan Doyle. Indeed, the ingenious sleuth has left an indelible mark on the literary and cultural landscape of London ever since the appearance of the first stories about him in the late 1880s. Years on, there are several... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Shakespeare's London Walking Tour

Often called England's national poet or simply "the Bard", William Shakespeare is revered as one of, if not the greatest playwright this world has ever seen. The dramas, such as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth are among the finest creations in the English language, translated into every major language and performed more often than those of any other author.... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles

City of London Walking Tour

The City of London, widely referred to simply as the City (with the capital C), is also colloquially known as the Square Mile, for being just 1.12 sq mi in area. Situated on top of the original Roman center of commerce, called Londinium, established in 43 AD, this neighborhood is the historic and financial heart of the British capital. It has been a major meeting point for international business... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles

View all walking tours in London, England

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

London Souvenirs: 20 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...