Temple Church, London

Name: Temple Church
Address: The Temple, London, EC4Y 7BB, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 20 7353 8559

#160 among attractions in London

Church, Romanesque architecture, Temple

Gallery (16)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Smuconlaw / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Matthias Süßen / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / @fub / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Matthias Süßen / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / The wub / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / The wub / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Diliff / URL

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of London's legal quarter, the Temple Church stands as a testament to the city's rich and diverse history. This remarkable church was originally built by the Knights Templar, the order of crusading monks made famous by their role in the Crusades and later by tales of their mysterious rites and rumored treasures.

The Temple Church, consecrated in 1185, is renowned for its stunning circular nave, which was designed to mimic the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This architectural feature was a common characteristic of Templar churches across Europe. The church later became associated with the legal profession when the two Inns of Court, Inner Temple and Middle Temple, were established in the surrounding area.

Visitors to the Temple Church will find themselves transported back in time as they step inside the building. The interior houses an effigy of a 13th-century knight, providing a direct connection to the medieval world of the Templars. The church also features a chancel added in the 13th century, which showcases the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture.

Throughout its history, the Temple Church has survived the ravages of time, including the Great Fire of London in 1666 and bombing during World War II. It was meticulously restored after the war and continues to serve as a working church and a popular destination for tourists and history enthusiasts alike.

Alternative names: Architectural style: Romanesque architectureCoordinates: 51°30'47"N, 0°6'37"W

Address

The TempleCity of London (Farringdon Without)London EC4Y 7BB United Kingdom

Contact

+44 20 7353 8559

Website

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London

Day trips

Temple Church – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Two Temple Place, St Clement Danes, Twinings, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.

~700 ftSW
Gothic Revival architecture, Museum, Art museum
Two Temple Place, London
4 min walk • Two Temple Place is an architectural gem tucked away in the bustling heart of London, England. Built in the late 19th century, this neo-Gothic mansion is not only a testament to the city's rich history but also serves as a cultural venue showcasing diverse exhibitions...
~840 ftW
Christopher Wren, Church, Baroque architecture
St Clement Danes, London
5 min walk • St Clement Danes is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London. It is situated outside the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand.
~610 ftW
Museum, Specialty museum, Shopping
Twinings, London
3 min walk • The Twinings Museum is a small museum adjacent to the Twinings shop at 216, Strand, in London, England.
~840 ftNE
Nightlife
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, London
5 min walk • Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a Grade II listed public house at 145 Fleet Street, on Wine Office Court, City of London. Rebuilt shortly after the Great Fire of 1666, the pub is known for its literary associations, with its regular patrons having included Charles Dickens, G.K. Chesterton and Mark Twain.
~1100 ftW
Church, Baroque architecture, Georgian architecture
St Mary le Strand, London
6 min walk • St Mary le Strand is a Church of England church at the eastern end of the Strand in the City of Westminster, London. It lies within the Deanery of Westminster within the Diocese of London.
~790 ftS
Memorial
National Submarine War Memorial, London
4 min walk • The National Submariners' War Memorial is a war memorial on the Victoria Embankment in London, England, between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge.
~1320 ftNE
Christopher Wren, Church, Baroque architecture
St Bride's Church, London
7 min walk • St Bride's Church is a church in the City of London, England. The building's most recent incarnation was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1672 in Fleet Street in the City of London, though Wren's original building was largely gutted by fire during the London Blitz in 1940.
~350 ftSW
Forts and castles
Middle Temple, London
2 min walk • The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, commonly known simply as Middle Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers, the others being the Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn.
~810 ftNW
Gothic Revival architecture, Architecture, Historical place
Royal Courts of Justice, London
4 min walk • The Royal Courts of Justice, commonly called the Law Courts, is a court building in Westminster which houses the High Court and Court of Appeal of England and Wales. The High Court also sits on circuit and in other major cities.
~600 ftW
Nightlife
The Edgar Wallace, London
3 min walk • The Edgar Wallace is a public house at 40–41 Essex Street, London WC2, at the corner with Devereux Court. The pub dates back to 1777, and was originally The Essex Head.
~1000 ftE
Museum, History museum
Prince Henry's Room, London
5 min walk • Prince Henry's Room is situated on the first floor at the front of No. 17 Fleet Street, London. The house is one of the few surviving buildings in the City of London dating from before the Great Fire of London in 1666. It is a Grade II* Listed Building.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is Temple Church open?

Temple Church is open:

Monday 10 am - 4 pm
Tuesday 10 am - 4 pm
Wednesday 2 pm - 4 pm
Thursday 10 am - 4 pm
Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Saturday closed
Sunday closed

Which popular attractions are close to Temple Church?

Nearby attractions include Temple, London (1 min walk), Middle Temple, London (2 min walk), St Dunstan-in-the-West, London (2 min walk), Twinings, London (3 min walk).

How to get to Temple Church by public transport?

The nearest stations to Temple Church:

Bus

Chancery Lane • Lines: 26, N26 (2 min walk)
Fetter Lane • Lines: 26, N26 (3 min walk)

Metro

Temple • Lines: Circle, District (6 min walk)
Chancery Lane • Lines: Central (10 min walk)

Train

City Thameslink (9 min walk)
London Blackfriars (9 min walk)

Ferry

Blackfriars Pier • Lines: Rb6 (11 min walk)
Festival Pier • Lines: Green Tour (14 min walk)

Light rail

Bank Platform 10 • Lines: B-L, B-Wa (25 min walk)