St. Dunstan In The West
St. Dunstan In The West
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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The area
Address
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
- Temple • 6 min walk
- Chancery Lane • 6 min walk
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Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,408 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
35 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
18
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Chris
Zurich, Switzerland1,497 contributions
Jan 2020
Ver lovely church in form of an octagon. I very much loved the lunchtime recital last Friday (1:15p.m.) what was a great choice to find calm in this busy city.
The Romanian church seems to have a place in this church too with a lovely iconostasis.
I found also a black Madonna very interesting and the stained glass windows are great.
The Romanian church seems to have a place in this church too with a lovely iconostasis.
I found also a black Madonna very interesting and the stained glass windows are great.
Written January 31, 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.
MeDC65
Harlow, UK285 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
If the £18 entrance fee for St. Paul's is a bit too expensive and far too crowded with tourists then take a 10 minute walk down Ludgate Hill and on into Fleet Street (famous for newspaper printing) to find St. Dunstan In The West.
OK. It's not as large or spectacular as St. Paul's. But is is peaceful. It has a fascinating circular pew architecture. And is FREE!
I spent 30 minutes inside without anyone else visiting (perhaps I should keep this gem of a secret to myself? But that's not the TripAdvisor way!)
OK. It's not as large or spectacular as St. Paul's. But is is peaceful. It has a fascinating circular pew architecture. And is FREE!
I spent 30 minutes inside without anyone else visiting (perhaps I should keep this gem of a secret to myself? But that's not the TripAdvisor way!)
Written July 14, 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.
Elizabeth-Therese
london431 contributions
Aug 2015
We weren't sure to go in and stood around the entrance just looking at the church. One of the lady came out and say, 'do come in, is a church so you can come in if you like.' So we went straight in and take in the atmosphere of quietness and with areas for praying. I love the candles that stands in the sand which is quite different and not as polluted as the ones in the plastic cups. It's about simple gesture and lighting the path of others. The cushion of some seating areas looks a bit old but one can seat in different areas with little wooden door so it's really nice. There are also some wooden carvings and centre of the church is pretty nice to check it out. I love London and that you could walk into one of the churches and just pray. I always like to put some coins or notes to the donation box to help them in keeping the place or pay for the costs of the candle. Highly recommended.
Written August 11, 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.
HINA W
Islamabad, Pakistan7,358 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
You can find church tightly sandwiched between the Fleet Street buildings. A church has stood in this place since 988 AD. The current Neo-Gothic was built in 1831. It was designed by architect John Shaw. It was miraculously saved, by the scholars living in it, during the London Fire. The tower of this church was terribly damaged by German bombers in 1944. This church has two unique features. First that it is octagonal inside. Second one is the historical clock installed here in 1671. This clock, was the the first in London to be marked with minutes. You can see the figures of two giants Gog and Magog on the facade. They strike the hours and quarters, and turn their heads. Similar medieval clocks can be seen in Prague and Vienna too.
Written July 10, 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.
Jolyon67
Melbourne, Australia5,672 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
Even if the church is closed, you can still see one of London's secrets in the porch. When walking down Fleet Street this is one of the hidden 'in the know' secrets. Just inside the church porch are some of the oldest statues in London. They look at bit worse for ware and are slightly eroded. What you are looking at are King Lud and his two sons. These characters use to stand at the top of the Ludgate, one of the medieval entrances into the City of London. When the gate was demolished in 1760 they were brought here. The site of the gate is marked by a blue plaque next to St Martin within Ludgate church on Ludgate Hill.
Written February 8, 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.
Patrick O
Mount Holly, NC1,143 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
This church escaped the fire of 1666 due to a group of forty who saved it from burning with a water bucket brigade. The tower was hit in WWII and rebuilt in 1950. It became a guild church in 1952. The first thing you notice is the clock which according to their website was the first clock in London to have a minute hand.It is hard to miss with two giants striking the two bells and the clock protruding from the front of them.
Inside I noticed the beautiful stained glass windows both above the main altar and around the church.
To the left of the main alter is a magnificently carved side altar that is very ornate with side panels. Within each panel are marvelous paintings of the last supper and other saints and events.
There is a WWI memorial on one of the walls and lots of other old memorials for church patrons. A large organ towers above the organ loft at the main entrance.
On the outside there is a statue of Queen Elizabeth. There is also a statue of King Lud and his sons. According to the plaque on the Queen Elizabeth Statue both of these statues once stood in Ludgate.
Famous people associated with this church include John Donne, Lord Baltimore who was buried here in 1632, and Samuel Pepys who worshipped here. I found this to be another wonderful church as I explored churches and pubs in London. Well worth a visit. Enjoy the beauty. The windows were my favorite but I enjoyed the whole church!
Inside I noticed the beautiful stained glass windows both above the main altar and around the church.
To the left of the main alter is a magnificently carved side altar that is very ornate with side panels. Within each panel are marvelous paintings of the last supper and other saints and events.
There is a WWI memorial on one of the walls and lots of other old memorials for church patrons. A large organ towers above the organ loft at the main entrance.
On the outside there is a statue of Queen Elizabeth. There is also a statue of King Lud and his sons. According to the plaque on the Queen Elizabeth Statue both of these statues once stood in Ludgate.
Famous people associated with this church include John Donne, Lord Baltimore who was buried here in 1632, and Samuel Pepys who worshipped here. I found this to be another wonderful church as I explored churches and pubs in London. Well worth a visit. Enjoy the beauty. The windows were my favorite but I enjoyed the whole church!
Written May 3, 2014
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.
Peter J
Chichester, UK454 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
This is a fascinating church with a real Orthodox iconostasis located within a side chapel. Some of the icons are amazing and worth a visit. I did not attend a service but I have been recommended to do so by a friend. So I will visit again when a service is on.
Written March 19, 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.
Taggert1
Diss, UK288 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
Was passing and saw there was a musical recital on at 1315 so popped in. Was so glad we did as this church is a real revelation. The interior is fantastic it is shared anglian/romanian orthodox which makes it more interesting ( read website for history).
The recital was a guitarist who was excellant. There are signs to say you can have your lunch in here and there is a stall doing food and drink right outside.
Do visit if your passing in this area.
The recital was a guitarist who was excellant. There are signs to say you can have your lunch in here and there is a stall doing food and drink right outside.
Do visit if your passing in this area.
Written January 11, 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.
Colin F
Salisbury, UK20 contributions
Sep 2018
Walking along Fleet St we spotted what appeared to be a classic neo-Gothic church and decided to go in. We were surprised to find that the church is actually octagonal with many unusual design features not least of which is a section of Romanian Orthodox. The original church is over 1000 years old and many parts of its history can be seen today. The church was rebuilt in late-Georgian times. Apart from escaping the noise and bustle of London this church is worth visiting for quiet contemplation and looking at its pivotal history.
Written September 14, 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.
Nicholas H
London, UK20,403 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
Many people pass by this church so close to the Royal Courts of Justice without a glance but the site has a tremendous history. The original church was established in the late 10th century and underwent many changes before being demolished in the 1830s to make way for the widening of Fleet Street. The original church was saved from the Great Fire of London by 40 scholars from Westminster who put out the fire when it was only three doors away from the church. The major external feature is a large clock just to the right of the entrance and a bell tower with cast figures striking the bells. Internally, it has an octagonal nave and a glorious iconostasis masking the Romanian Orthodox chapel to the right of the altar. This is one of three churches in the UK which share their premises with the Romanian Orthodox community. The church has connections to Samuel Pepys and Lord Baltimore, the founder of the colony of Maryland in America. Very well worth a visit.
Written September 6, 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.
Is there a toilet in the church and if so where?
Thank you
Written November 6, 2018
Sorry I doubt it but there are toilets in the Old Bank of England pub next door.
Written November 7, 2018
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