Churches and Cathedrals in Egham Hythe

"Westminster Cathedral is the most important Catholic church in Central London that’s located just minutes from both Buckingham Palace and the equally as striking Westminster Abbey. Built during Victorian times, it’s famed for its red and white striped brick exteriors and oriental-style domes. Indoors, you’ll find Westminster Cathedral’s huge central nave (which can seat a whopping 1000 people!) decorated with smooth marble, mosaics and glittering gold detailing."

"There are many beautiful churches in London and Westminster Cathedral is certainly one of them. Located in proximity to Victoria Station, this is the mother church of Roman Catholics in England and Wales. The exterior is made of red and white brick, showcasing the neo-Byzantine style architecture while the interior, made with 120 different types of marbles, is equally fascinating."

"The second London cathedral is the one Roman Catholic church on our list. Westminster Cathedral is quite a surprise as you walk along Victoria Street towards Westminster. The red and white striped church looks like something out of Ravenna or Constantinople rather than London."

"Towering over diminutive Ludgate Hill in a superb position that's been a place of Christian worship for over 1400 years (and pagan before that), St Paul’s is one of London’s most magnificent buildings. For Londoners, the vast dome is a symbol of resilience and pride, standing tall for more than 300 years. Viewing Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece from the inside and climbing to the top for sweeping views of the capital is a celestial experience."

"Along the south bank (always worth a wander), you can stop in at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Tate Modern Art Gallery, and even quickly cross the Millennium bridge for a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Globe and St. Paul’s Cathedral are both included on the London Pass, whilst the Tate Modern is free to enter."

"A post shared by Spring Education London (@springedulondon) on Mar 29, 2019 at 4:06am PDT. Though bombed in WWII, All Hallows by the Tower remains a gorgeous Grade I listed church. The oldest in the City, having been founded by the Abbey of Barking in AD 675, it was from this church that Samuel Pepys watched the Great Fire spread in 1666."

"Reconstruction during 1955, after extensive damage in the Blitz. Image source: Ben Brooksbank / CC BY-SA 2.0. Located on the doorstep of the Tower of London, this church has buried the bodies of numerous victims sentenced to death on Tower Hill, including those of Thomas More, Bishop John Fisher and Archbishop Laud."

"The Inns of Court either side of busy Fleet Street are a far cry from the bustle of central London. In a large courtyard off a narrow street is their best-known sight, the Temple Church, which was founded by the military Knights Templar as their London headquarters in the late 12th century. As with other Knights Templar churches it was originally round, but a rectangular chancel (the area containing the choir and altar)was later added."

"This historic site was first built by the Knights Templar as their English headquarters back in the late 20th century. These days the church prides itself on its musical output and together the choir and the Harrison & Harrison organ produce some of the most sonorous gospel music in the city. It's one of the very oldest churches in the city, sure to fascinate history buffs."

"The name, Temple, derives from the Order of the Knights Templar, an order established in 1118 for protecting pilgrims. (You may know of them as the knights who wore white tunics with red crosses on them.). In 1162, the group built their first church and houses on the banks of the Thames."

"St Etheldreda’s Church is the oldest church in London, and one of only two in the city which have survived since the reign of Edward I. The exact date in which the building was constructed is unknown but is expected to be between 1250 and 1290. Dedicated to the Anglo-Saxon saint Etheldreda who founded the monastery at Ely back in 673 the church was purchased by the Catholic Church in 1874 and opened in 1878. As such it’s now one of the oldest operational churches in England owned by the Catholic Church."

"St Ethelreda Ely is a fragment of a medieval ecclesiastical palace belonging to the Bishop of Ely. It used to be the chapel and dates from 1293. The crypt incorporates older walls that may have been part of the Roman basilica."

"Dating from the reign of Edward I, this is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the country and was the private chapel of the Bishops of Ely"

"St Botolph was a Saxon saint who built a large monastery near to modern-day Boston (a corruption of Botolph’s town) in Lincolnshire in 654. He was the English patron saint of travellers and has three surviving churches in the City dedicated to him. They are all situated next to old city gates, presumably so that those about to set off could dedicate so"

"The gothic tower of St. Michael Cornhill is sometimes called Wren’s last work (it was finished in 1721) but was actually designed by his pupil Nicholas Hawksmoor. The rest of the church is by Wren. Thomas Gray, the author of Elegy in a Country Churchyard, was baptised here, and the church has his walking stick."

"This striking Arts and Craft church was built in 1888-90, at the south-eastern side of Sloane Street. It was paid for by the 5th Earl of Cadogan, in whose estate it stood. John Dando Sedding’s design blends late Victorian trends of Pre-Raphaelite medieval and Italianate styles."

"This Anglican parish church was built in the late 19th-century and it’s so wide that it its width even exceeds that of St. Paul’s Cathedral"

"St Pancras Old Church isn’t that old nowadays, having largely been rebuilt as recently as the 19th century, but it probably dates back to Saxon times, most likely the 7th century AD, making it one of the oldest churches in London. It’s a fairly small, humble but atmospheric church, around ten minutes’ walk from King’s Cross and St Pancras railway stations. The churchyard and surrounding St Pancras Gardens are also noteworthy – the churchyard contains the tomb of architect Sir John Soane, which was the inspiration for the famous British red telephone box design."

"Just moments away from the lively hub of King’s Cross, the St Pancras Old Church is a picturesque spot to visit when in London. This church in London traces its history as far back as the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, but an altar stone dating 625 AD suggests that worship may have taken place from the 7th century. You can attend mass on Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, or join a host of history talks and intimate live music gigs at the London church."

"Year Built: Unknown – possibly as early as 314 CE, but most likely 625 CE Location: Somers Town, Central London Purpose:  Church (Current Denomination – Church of England) Still Standing:  Yes. photo source: Wikimedia Commons via Pauk. While the exact origins of the St. Pancras Old Church are unknown, it is believed to be one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in England."

"Restaurants British Soho. Youngsters can imagine they’re by the seaside at this dinky cockle-warmer, where the jaunty maritime-themed decor is matched by a menu of flappingly fresh fish from British waters. Come here for fastidiously prepared and ding-dong delicious small plates, classic battered haddock and other treats from old Blighty."

"This kitsch fish restaurant is a former pop-up restaurant turned permanent seafood restaurant. Feeling like you could be in a quaint seaside town, every detail is thought about in the décor, from nautical braid to scallop shaped door handles. Focusing on traditional flavours, you can pick from the raw bar or the classic whole devon crab with mayo and a baguette."

"English food might not have the best reputation in the world, but there are a few things better than a delicious serving of fish and chips. And lucky you, London has some of the best in the entire world. But don’t settle for any old chippy, go to a place that serves high-quality fish and hand-cut chips."

"It’s international status as a pillar of British cooking may be slightly overblown, but fish and chips is still a longstanding Friday night favourite. Poppies’s founder Pops has been honouring it for quite some time: he’s been working in the chippie business since 1952. The rockabilly-themed restaurants get their chunky fish fillets daily from a third-generation Billingsgate fishmonger, fry them until the batter is crunchy but yielding, and serve them with fabulously fluffy proper chips."

"Restaurants British Spitalfields. Poppies’ pick ‘n’ mix assortment of British kitsch (a jukebox, newspaper cuttings, model aeroplanes, wartime memorabilia) makes it look like some nostalgic fantasy trip, but eating here is still a treat for young and old alike – they even have a dedicated children’s menu (cod bites, fishcakes or sausages, all with chips for £6.50). Soak up the nostalgia, just don’t mention the war!"

"This legendary family-run fish and chip shop might have multiple venues now, but at each outlet the ethos remains the same: top-class fish and chips served with a smile. With a dedicated fishmonger in the team, you can expect the freshest fare and expert handling resulting in combinations like a classic cod and chips or something more adventurous such as calamari, scampi or even a seafood platter. With starters, puds and kids’ meals, too there’s truly something for everyone here."

"Set in London’s busiest open space, Trafalgar Square, this is the grandmother of galleries with more than 2,300 paintings spanning the 13th to the 19th centuries: Heavyweights include Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Velazquez's Rokeby Venus, and Constable’s six-foot long The Hay Wain. It gets packed at weekends, but its so large that you can usually find a quiet corner. You can download an audio tour covering the museum's highlights, but you can also curate your own by selecting the paintings you want to see before you arrive."

"1824: The première of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9; the Egyptians capture Crete; ‘New Holland’ becomes ‘Australia’; some government guys in Britain bought 38 paintings. Now: Beethoven’s no longer in the charts, Australia still has an identity crisis, and The National Gallery has over 2,300 works tracing the complete development of Western European painting from virtually every European school of art."

"The National Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in the world. Constructed in 1937, it attracts more than 4 million tourists yearly. Unlike many other museums, this one is free to enter, so you don't have to worry about paying an admission fee."

"October Gallery is a major proponent of the Transvangarde art movement - spreading Western Avant-garde beyond the West. It’s responsible for giving platform to several hundred African artists, voices, intellectuals and poets. The space is bright white walls and shiny wooden flooring."

"Children can handle real torture devices at the world’s most notorious medieval prison at this museum in Southwark, on the original site of The Clink Prison, which dates back to 1144. You’ll find out about a day in the life of a medieval prisoner and hear tales of some of the gruesome prisoners. If you’re feeling brave, it’s a great place to spot ghosts: the prison is reputed to be one of the UK’s most haunted locations and is renowned for its ghostly sightings…"

"A rather arresting spot amongst London museums, The Clink spent some 600 years as one of the city’s most feared prisons. Far from the charming spot it is today, Southwark used to be a lawless place; prostitutes, heretics, and drunkards all graced the cells of The Clink at one point or another."

"The Clink Prison Museum was a prison in England that started in the 12th century and operated through 1780. Today, it is the oldest surviving prison in the country. Notable prisoners of The Clink include Father John Gerard, Father John Jones, Farther George Blackwell, and Edward Knott."

"With all there is to see at Kew Gardens, you might easily miss the attractive red brick building housing the Marianne North Gallery. But don’t hesitate to take a look inside — the exquisite interior, which incorporates different kinds of wood and stenciled floor tile, is home to more than 800 works of botanical art. Marianne North was a wealthy, single Victorian woman who traveled the world solo in pursuit of interesting plants to paint."

"Another attraction in Kew Gardens, this gallery is dedicated to the work of Marianne North, a Victorian artist who specialised in botanical paintings. The walls of the gallery are covered in her stunning and colourful designs, which show off her incredible natural talent."