london's oldest gothic church
London's oldest Gothic church, free to enter, tucked beside Borough Market with a Shakespeare memorial, medieval roof bosses and a quiet riverside garden.
Free to visit · Southwark · London Bridge · SE1 9DA
Opening: Daily · roughly 10am to 5pm · services aside
Tucked between Borough Market and the river is the oldest Gothic church in London, and unlike the cathedrals across the water it is free to walk into. Southwark Cathedral has stood in some form for over a thousand years, and its cool, stone interior is a calm pause from the crush of the market outside.
It is full of quiet treasures, a colourful memorial to William Shakespeare, who worshipped in this parish when his Globe stood nearby, the tomb of the poet John Gower, medieval roof bosses and a tablet to Sam Wanamaker, who rebuilt the Globe. Choral evensong, sung most days, is free to sit in on.
Outside there is a small herb garden and churchyard, and the whole site sits on one of the most atmospheric corners of Bankside, making it a perfect free counterpoint to a morning grazing the market.
Getting there: Right by Borough Market and London Bridge station, between the market and the river.
Best time to go: A weekday, around the times of choral evensong if you want to hear the choir for free.
Insider tip: Time your visit for choral evensong, sung most weekdays and free to attend, for one of the loveliest free experiences in London. The cathedral garden and the cluster around Borough Market make it an easy free add-on to a market visit.
Official site: https://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide