Brompton Oratory
rome, next door to the v&a
A vast, theatrical Italian Baroque Catholic church in South Kensington, free to enter, filled with imported marble saints.
Free to visit · South Kensington · South Kensington · SW7 2RP
Opening: Daily · respect services
Right beside the great free museums of South Kensington stands the Brompton Oratory, a soaring Italianate Catholic church that feels as though a slice of Baroque Rome has been set down in Knightsbridge. Opened in 1884, its huge domed interior drips with marble, gilding and theatrical statuary, much of it genuinely imported from Italian churches.
The giant marble apostles lining the nave came from Siena Cathedral, and the whole space is built for drama and grand music. It is free to step into, a lavish and surprising contrast to the brisk shopping streets outside, and an easy add-on to a day at the V&A or the Natural History Museum.
Getting there: On Brompton Road beside the V&A, a couple of minutes from South Kensington.
Best time to go: A quiet weekday, ideally paired with the free museums next door.
Insider tip: Look for the towering marble apostle statues in the nave, carved in the 1680s and brought over from Siena Cathedral. It is moments from the free V&A, so combine the two for a rich, free South Kensington afternoon.
Official site: https://www.bromptonoratory.co.uk
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide