St Mary Abbots Church
St Mary Abbots Church
4.5
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
The area
Address
How to get there
- High St Kensington • 3 min walk
- Notting Hill Gate • 10 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
6,640 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,108 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
53 reviews
Excellent
25
Very good
22
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
1
ShaunH290
London, UK2,137 contributions
Feb 2023
So many churches were restored in the Victorian period but this one was completely demolished and rebuilt using all the experience of probably the most famous architect of the era! The main building cost nearly £50,000 to complete by 1872 and the spire/tower cost another £24,000 by 1879. This was hugely expensive and you can see why it might be mistaken for a cathedral! Some memorials from the old church are mounted on the walls, along with many others from the 1870s onwards. Despite its modernity, the cloistered entrance from the corner of Kensington High Street and Kensington Church Street makes out that it is much older, as does the very grand West Door.
​Alice Kipling (mother of Rudyard Kipling) married John Lockwood Kipling at the church on 18th March 1865 (the previous building). ​Isambard Kingdom Brunel (​Civil engineer) married Mary Elizabeth Horsley in the old building on 5th July 1836. ​Helen Beatrix Potter (Children's Author) married William Heelis at the new church on 15th October 1913. So there was a fair list of the great and the good associated with the church in a very well off part of the capital over the years.
Well worth popping in if you are in the area, as we were. There are some useful leaflets on its history, including a trail for children (and their parents!), and the website gives much more detail. Look out for the 1:80 scale model built of 41,000+ matchsticks!
​Alice Kipling (mother of Rudyard Kipling) married John Lockwood Kipling at the church on 18th March 1865 (the previous building). ​Isambard Kingdom Brunel (​Civil engineer) married Mary Elizabeth Horsley in the old building on 5th July 1836. ​Helen Beatrix Potter (Children's Author) married William Heelis at the new church on 15th October 1913. So there was a fair list of the great and the good associated with the church in a very well off part of the capital over the years.
Well worth popping in if you are in the area, as we were. There are some useful leaflets on its history, including a trail for children (and their parents!), and the website gives much more detail. Look out for the 1:80 scale model built of 41,000+ matchsticks!
Written February 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MeeShellMidwifeRN
Turlock, CA528 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
St Mary Abbots is a very old and historical site. Roman Catholic Church located in very busy area, yet so peaceful and quiet. Beautiful architecture and grounds. We were able to sit, pray, reflect, and light candles in this spiritual sanctuary.
Written March 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
YeovilWuppy
Yeovil, UK746 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
I often pass this church on the bus when in London, so as I had some time, I decided to get of the bus and get a closer look of this beautiful building. I did not know very much about it but was curious as to how it looked inside. It was really lovely. It was founded around 1262, with the present church being built in 1872. I am glad I took the time to visit and I managed to take several photographs which will keep the memory alive. This church is well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Written October 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
COdom
Clermont, FL5 contributions
Aug 2019
This peaceful church is in a hustle-bustle part of Kensington High Street and although I was not looking to find a church something drew me into the quiet and peaceful chapel and I realized immediately that I was there for a reason. It is not like a magnificent cathedral but you are enveloped immediately with a feeling of love and that all will be right with the world. I took a hand leaflet and keep it with me at all times. I make copies and give them to all my friends and anyone I think could benefit from the words. I just read tonight this was Princess Diana's church when she lived in Kensington Palace. I had no idea until tonight and always go there when I get a chance to visit London.
Written July 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LostALot22
Chicago, IL11,148 contributions
Nov 2019
This is a very nice church. It is quiet and in a busy area. It looks nice from the outside. I enjoyed the stop. I wasn't going there on purpose, I just stumbled upon it.
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel38,439 contributions
Dec 2019
Centrally locate on high Street Kensington, this neo-Gothic church is absolutely amazing.
It features a wonderful exterior and a stunning interior to match.
It features a wonderful exterior and a stunning interior to match.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
maybeitsthebeertalk
Minneapolis, MN41 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
I was blessed to attend a Sunday service here in early March. The staff and fellow worshipers were very kind and loved the history of the church. Worshiping here is awe inspiring, to me it ranked up with Sagrada Familia and St. Patrick's New York. The service I attended was lightly attended, I pray that God will continue to bless and encourage this church with a committed staff and bring awareness of this great asset.
Written March 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MountainSongBird
Tennessee304 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
We had a very sentimental reason for returning to St. Mary Abbots...my husband had proposed to me here 27 years ago! Our original time was very private since no other visitors were present, but this visit occurred during preparation for a baby christening service and we had little opportunity to reminisce in peace and quiet. The tradeoff was getting to listen to a vocal trio practicing one of our favorite John Rutter anthems! Drop by this beautiful, almost jewel-box church to view its lovely stained glass windows. The lofty spire is the tallest in London, and notable parishioners included Sir Isaac Newton and Beatrix Potter. If you're fortunate enough to catch a moment when there's less hustle and bustle inside, use your time for prayer and reflection--it's a lovely break from the modern madness outside!
Written July 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
StephenCross
Dublin, Ireland17,715 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
St. Mary’s Abbot Church is a fantastic church in Kensington. It’s very striking and has a very interesting history. Recommended.
Written April 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
paws0810
Mesa, AZ2,468 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
It was a piano concert going on at this church so we stepped in to sit down and listen for a while it is a beautiful church
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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St Mary Abbots Church, London
Frequently Asked Questions about St Mary Abbots Church
- St Mary Abbots Church is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near St Mary Abbots Church:
- (0.02 mi) Kensington Luxury Apartments
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- (0.04 mi) Luxury Apartments In Kensington
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- (0.15 mi) Royal Garden Hotel
- Restaurants near St Mary Abbots Church:
- (0.02 mi) My Old Dutch - Kensington
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- (0.04 mi) Maggie Jones's