St. Mary le Strand
St. Mary le Strand
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tours & experiences
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Trafalgar Square / Embankment
With its iconic Nelson’s Column, majestic oversized lions and brightly-lit fountains, Trafalgar Square is not just considered the heart of this bustling London hub, but the very core of the city itself. Beyond this esteemed gathering place are more famous icons, as well as a disproportionate numbers of the city’s most popular cultural attractions including the National Gallery and many West End theaters. Along the way to these major sites are quiet lanes and antiquated pubs to discover, as well as riverside vistas to enjoy on the embankment. With a calendar full of celebratory events, any time of year is a fine time to visit.
How to get there
- Temple • 3 min walk
- Covent Garden • 8 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,848 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
47 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
26
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Olga P
4 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
Definitely overpriced! Rubbish venue ,(amateur decorations) not comfortable seats. There is looks like the 4 students (quarted, not the orchestra as advertised) decided to make a money.
The musicians played good, but the whole performance wasn't impressed.
And definitely doesn't cost £100.
Will not recommend.
The musicians played good, but the whole performance wasn't impressed.
And definitely doesn't cost £100.
Will not recommend.
Written December 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShaunH290
London, UK3,019 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We had wanted to get inside this amazing building for some time but it had been closed or cut off. It is no longer on an island with traffic going along each side (the reason the windows are so high up was to keep out the traffic noise!), but it is now in a pedestrianised area and restored!
The first of Queen Anne's 50 new churches (of which only 12 were built), it is a great example of baroque design by James Gibbs. Look up and look around!
Well worth going inside if you are passing when it is open!
The first of Queen Anne's 50 new churches (of which only 12 were built), it is a great example of baroque design by James Gibbs. Look up and look around!
Well worth going inside if you are passing when it is open!
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Have Camera, Will Travel
South Bend, IN3,807 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
This was a bonus stop on the way to St. Paul's. The architecture of the building is excellent. There were a number of churches that we stopped at and this one, to me, if way up there from a photographer's perspective. The look, colors, and details really stand out. Take your camera and walk all around it.
Written December 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack B
Ronald, WA1,308 contributions
Sep 2016 • Solo
The second island church on the Strand (St. Clement Danes is the other, just to the Northeast), St. Mary-le-Strand has always captivated my daughter. We visited when she was five and seeing the little church in the center of the road is one of her strongest London memories. When one of the docents told her that it was nicknamed "St. Mary-in-the-Way" she took it to heart as this little church is literally wedged into the street with traffic buzzing by both sides. Just making it out to the island is a life changing event.
The church has a beautiful and ornate Baroque exterior, and a brilliant white interior with an wonderfully ornate ceiling.
It is definitely worth stopping to see if you are in the neighborhood.
Entrance is free - but hours are quite limited.
There are no public toilets.
The church has a beautiful and ornate Baroque exterior, and a brilliant white interior with an wonderfully ornate ceiling.
It is definitely worth stopping to see if you are in the neighborhood.
Entrance is free - but hours are quite limited.
There are no public toilets.
Written October 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
permia
Ireland66,910 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
The façade against the azure sky was magnificent. Stepping beyond this highly ornate exterior leads to a lovely interior.
The richly decorative ceiling is glorious, with outstanding detail. Numerous stained glass windows enhanced the ambient light. In particular the trio of blue ones enveloping the altar provided a cool impression to the space.
The richly decorative ceiling is glorious, with outstanding detail. Numerous stained glass windows enhanced the ambient light. In particular the trio of blue ones enveloping the altar provided a cool impression to the space.
Written March 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malgorzata
12,077 contributions
Nov 2019
The building itself is gorgeous and the location is brilliant, in the middle of an avenue on the island. Interesting position for a church. It is a small church and can be visited quite quickly . St. Mary-le-Strand one of the oldest parishes in London, ts history extends to at least 1222. The present church of St. Mary-le-Strand was designed and built by James Gibbs in 1714-1717, largely influenced by the sophisticated style of the Baroque churches. Roman Baroque influences can be seen throughout the interior and exterior of the church. Beautiful church, in a very nice part of the city.
Written October 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigHugh51
Adelaide, Australia3,628 contributions
Jun 2019
While staying in London again, we undertook several long and enjoyable walks through the central city area. One day, we walked along the Strand and Fleet Street from Trafalgar Square to St. Paul’s Cathedral. As we made our way along this route, we were able to take in a number of interesting sights.
As we passed Australia House, we came upon St. Mary le Strand church which is sited on what is now a traffic island and is therefore surrounded on both of its sides by busy roadways.
The church is quite small but features a very high elegant bell tower topped with a steeple. On the day of our visit, which was a weekday, the church was not open. Consequently, we just had to make do with viewing the interesting external architecture of the church, before continuing on with the walk.
This cute little church is certainly worthy of your attention should you be passing by along the Strand!
As we passed Australia House, we came upon St. Mary le Strand church which is sited on what is now a traffic island and is therefore surrounded on both of its sides by busy roadways.
The church is quite small but features a very high elegant bell tower topped with a steeple. On the day of our visit, which was a weekday, the church was not open. Consequently, we just had to make do with viewing the interesting external architecture of the church, before continuing on with the walk.
This cute little church is certainly worthy of your attention should you be passing by along the Strand!
Written December 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicarmuddlebush
169 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
The ceiling is spectacular and they have a postcard of it you can buy that is worth the visit. The true appeal of this place (for the tourist) are its perfect proportion and perfect placement. St. Mary's history is also quite interesting (and available from a well written guide available inside the church). It's not a Wren design, but complements all the wonderful Wrens you can visit in the neighborhood. I'd go out on a limb and claim that St Mary le Strand advances the concept of steeple.
Written December 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
places2seeplaces2go
England, UK6,581 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
St Mary le Strand is a Church of England church at the eastern end of the Strand in the City of Westminster, London & dates back to January 1723
St Mary Le Strand is effectively situated on a traffic island which makes it very unique.
The nearest tube station is Temple.
A very pretty little church in a unique busy location.
Worth stopping to take a look at if you are in the area.
St Mary Le Strand is effectively situated on a traffic island which makes it very unique.
The nearest tube station is Temple.
A very pretty little church in a unique busy location.
Worth stopping to take a look at if you are in the area.
Written May 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nellielim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4,002 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
This is a church of England church at the eastern end of the Strand and it stands conspicuously on a traffic island. It is the official church of the Women's Royal Naval Service and has a book of remembrance for members who died in service. The architecture is influenced by Italian church architecture with Baroque ornamentation and a storeyed steeple. The interior has ornate and detailed carvings on the white and gold plastered ceiling. A definite must visit if in the area.
Written June 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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