Greyfriars Passage
Greyfriars Passage
4.5
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The area
Neighborhood: City of London
From its ancient past as a Roman trading outpost to its 21st century status as the wealthiest square mile in the world, the financial district known simply as “The City” is one of London's most historic and fascinating neighborhoods. Here high rise office towers such as Norman Foster’s Gherkin mingle with Roman ruins and architectural marvels from virtually every era in between, including Christopher Wren's glorious St.Paul's Cathedral, and John Soane's dauntingly classicist Bank of England. This neighborhood is also home to some of the finest restaurants and plushest hotels in Europe, in addition to an assortment of watering holes, upscale shops, and Tube stations. During the week, the City is abuzz with white collar workers going about their business; the weekend sees this area turn into a quiet haven for sightseers.
How to get there
- St. Paul's • 3 min walk
- Blackfriars • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,407 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.
4.5
34 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
17
Average
1
Poor
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Terrible
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Ian C
London, UK23,724 contributions
Mar 2020
The original church, founded in the 13th century as part of the adjacent monastery, as destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren with the tall tower being built at the start of the 18th century.
Sadly, the church was substantially destroyed in bombing during the Second World War and, given that the congregation had shrunk over the years, the decision was made not to rebuild it. Today it is a rose garden, designed to reflect the plan of Wren's nave, an oasis for City workers in this part of London and a short walk to St Paul's underground station.
Don't miss the sculptural monument by Andrew Brown to Christ's Hospital which was founded near here by King Edward VI in 1552 and later incorporated the Royal Mathematical School founded by King Charles II in 1673. The School is now located in Horsham in West Sussex.
Sadly, the church was substantially destroyed in bombing during the Second World War and, given that the congregation had shrunk over the years, the decision was made not to rebuild it. Today it is a rose garden, designed to reflect the plan of Wren's nave, an oasis for City workers in this part of London and a short walk to St Paul's underground station.
Don't miss the sculptural monument by Andrew Brown to Christ's Hospital which was founded near here by King Edward VI in 1552 and later incorporated the Royal Mathematical School founded by King Charles II in 1673. The School is now located in Horsham in West Sussex.
Written March 14, 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.
Stuart B
Deal, UK1,595 contributions
Nov 2019
Greyfriars Passage is a lovely little oasis of tranquility in the centre of London. A nicely tended garden area set on the site of an old church, this is a nice place to sit for a short while to rest of just relfect and watch the world go by. Well done to those who maintain this garden.
Written November 8, 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.
James P
Cambridge, UK2,788 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
Been a couple of years since I have stopped here. Built in 1687 the church was one of Christopher Wrens, Apart from the tower, the church was largely destroyed by bombing during the Second World War, in the Blitz on 29 December 1940. The remaining ruins are now a public garden. Nice place to sit in without having to go far from the office.
Written June 27, 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.
David M
Taunton, UK3,477 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
How lovely to walk behind St Paul's and see the ruins of this old church. The idea to turn it into a garden with plants representing positions of stone columns and piews is inspirational. The calm and quiet I experienced as I ate a late sausage roll before taking the tube to Heathrow was magical. Surprisingly well planted garden as well for March!
A beautiful and poignant reminder of the partial destruction caused by WWII
A beautiful and poignant reminder of the partial destruction caused by WWII
Written March 15, 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.
PHE22
London, UK3,732 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
The ruins are all that is left of the Greyfriars Priory. They are very peacefull where you can sit and contemplate in the middle of the City. Before I retired my office window overlooked this site and i did not appreciate it. I wished during a busy day I had made use of this area.
Written July 6, 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.
Amin A
Repton, UK1,876 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
Amazing how a sad ending has been turned into endless beauty. These are the remains of a church destroyed in WWII however a beautiful garden now sits within its roofless walls. A fascinating feeling sitting within its ancient walls overlooking this timeless garden and beyond it are very busy streets.
Written March 23, 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.
mwooduk
Miami, FL9,027 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
Not much to see here but still very historic visiting the remains of a once beautiful church. You can see where the bombs hit during WW2 and some interesting plaques/garden .
Written January 28, 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.
James P
Cambridge, UK2,788 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
The church was one of Christopher Wrens, built in 1687. Apart from the tower, the church was largely destroyed by bombing during the Second World War, in the Blitz on 29 December 1940. The remaining ruins are now a public garden. Being on a busy road junction this is not a quiet garden, but it is still a popular place.
Written October 24, 2015
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.
Joasi23
South Yorkshire, UK1,926 contributions
Jun 2023
So tranquil to sit and relax with the beautiful scent of the roses filling the air. We looked up the history while we were there and that enhanced our visit .
Written June 23, 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.
hsasmith
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK1,266 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
Stumbled across this garden on my way to saint Paul's and it was amazing. It doesn't feel like your in a busy city center the small frombthe flowers and plants is great.
Written July 6, 2022
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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