
A local’s guide to Fleet Street, City of London, with landmarks, secret historical sites, and some of the most beautiful places to visit in London!
Fleet Street, near St Paul’s is one of the most important and beautiful streets in the City of London.
It’s a street incredibly rich in history, that of a former press and publishing street, and so gorgeous that no history lover should leave London without visiting.
Significant historical sites like the medieval Temple Church can be found in the area, on top of secret courtyards, small chapels, and winding alleys.
If you are traveling for the first time here or living in London on a budget, you will find in this guide plenty of free places to add to your bucket list!
Fleet Street, London: Hidden Gems, History and Things to Do

A Little Bit of History About Fleet Street, City of London
Surrounded by some of London’s oldest streets and areas, like the breathtaking Smithfield neighborhood only 15 minutes away with the Tube, Fleet Street is still, to this day, a place of legal and historic significance.
During the Middle Ages, Fleet Street was built on the site of the River Fleet, which ended up giving it its name.
The first printing press was established on Fleet Street in the 16th century.
Others followed and for centuries, the street was known for its implications in the newspaper and publishing industry.
You will see remnants of this history on many of the buildings lining Fleet Street.
On either side, buildings still bear the name of leading newspapers which used to have offices and printing presses on Fleet Street.
This includes the Guardian and the Daily Telegraph, along with many others.
If the passion of publishing is not one you find in yourself, know that Fleet Street is also an important legal neighborhood which offers some of the most beautiful buildings in London.
They are tucked away on either side of the long street, some of them the most secret churches in the City of London, some simple and refreshing gardens that daily London life still keeps jealously secret.
Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Notting Hill
Best Hidden Gems near Fleet Street London: Clifford’s Inn

We will be starting our little London itinerary around Fleet Street at Clifford’s Inn, a gorgeous and manicured square tucked away right off the main road.
Founded in the 12th century, this historic institution has strong ties to the legal profession, as most of the Fleet Street area, namely renowned for its Inns of Court.
Clifford’s Inn original buildings were destroyed during the Great Fire of London in 1666, which decimated pretty much the entire area, including part of the stunning Smithfield neighborhood.
Architecture photographers will find the perfect – and secret photo spot in the gate at Clifford’s Inn, which gives way to an even more wonderful place: the St Dunstan in the West church.
Read: The Most Colorful Places in London
Best Things to Do near Fleet Street London: St Dunstan in the West Church

One of the City of London’s secret churches, St Dunstan in the West finds its origins in the Middle Ages.
Not unlike other gorgeous churches in the City of London, like St Dunstan in the East (now a gorgeous church garden) and St Bride’s Church nearby.

The St Dunstan in the West is still a place of worship, with design elements both from the medieval and Baroque eras.
Wood, stained glass, and a wonderful star pattern on the ceiling are only a few highlights of this magical place you can visit completely for free.
Read: The Prettiest Streets in London
Best Hidden Gems near Fleet Street London: 185 Fleet Street Building And Its Mosaics

When you leave the St Dunstan in the West church, look up on your left and you will see, at 185 Fleet Street, neat mosaics forming the names of former newspapers which used to have their offices in the building.
People’s Journal, The Evening Telegraph, The Sunday Post all have their names on the building, which makes for a very interesting site for those interested in the press industry’s history.
This is also quite an enchanting sight, one that makes a visit to the area that much more interesting…
And that is far from being the only hidden gem in Fleet Street!
Read: The Cutest Pink Places in London
Best Things to Do near Fleet Street London: Mary Queen of Scots Sculpture

Carved up in a Neo Gothic building on Fleet Street, just above an unassuming Pret a Manger, a tiny sculpture of Mary, Queen of Scots looks down on us.
The buildings surrounding this sculpture, located at 143-4 Fleet Street being considerably younger than this one, the contrast is such that you cannot miss the pair, one mint green, one white.
A really cool hidden gem many people miss when walking around the beautiful area, and actually one of three queen sculptures on Fleet Street!
Read: The Complete Guide to Covent Garden, Central London
Best Things to Do near Fleet Street London: Lincoln’s Inn Chapel

Let’s take a detour to the beautiful Lincoln’s Inn Chapel before we go back to Fleet Street and continue our walk down to the Strand and Trafalgar Square.

Lincoln’s Inn Chapel dates back to the 17th century, and is undeniably one of the most beautiful buildings in London, if only for its mind blowing Gothic Revival design.

The stained glass windows at Lincoln’s Inn Chapel depict the coats of arms and names of all the Lincoln’s Inn treasures, going back several centuries and definitely making you reflect on life.

Under Lincoln’s Inn Chapel, the arches make for one of the most secret London spots to admire architecture, or, even, to take a couple of pictures for your Instagram feed.
Read: The Complete Guide to Bethnal Green, East London
Best Hidden Gems near Fleet Street London: St Bride’s Church

St Bride’s Church, often referred to as the Journalists’ Church, is a secret church hidden at the end of a small passageway off Fleet Street which offers not only a secret garden but also a crypt downstairs.
We’re here in one of the most beautiful churches in London, and one of the oldest since St Bride’s Church dates back to the 7th century.

In the basement, in addition to the crypt, you will also find a secret museum which traces back the history of the church and the area, as well as information about Fleet Street’s journalistic past.

This is also one of the secret spots in which you can still, to this day, find Roman ruins, not unlike the ones to be found at the Guildhall Gallery close to St Paul’s Cathedral.
Read: The Prettiest East London Neighborhoods
Best Things to Do near Fleet Street London: Serjeants Inn

When you leave St Bride’s Church, take a left on Fleet Street and a few minutes’ walk will lead you to Serjeants’ Inn, also founded during the medieval period.

Serjeants’ Inn is one of the quietest places in London, and continues to be used to train members of the legal profession.

Here, what we are going to enjoy are the secret courtyard and the distinct Georgian buildings that lead to one of our next spots, Temple Church.
Read: The Best Christmas Decorations in London
Best Hidden Gems near Fleet Street London: Temple Church

A must-visit when you’re walking around Fleet Street is Temple Church, hidden at the end of a few passageways coming from the main road.

With ties to the medieval era, the Temple Church was built by the Knights Templar, with a distinctive round nave and elements of Gothic architecture.

There is a small museum on the left of the church when you enter, with information about the Knights Templar and London’s history, as well as breathtaking knight effigies.

This is the perfect place to add to a bookish itinerary in London, since Temple Church, in addition to its association with royalty, religion and the legal profession, notably appeared in Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code.
Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Camden
Best Things to Do near Fleet Street London: Hare Court

One of London’s most secret courtyards, Hare Court can be found at the end of an alley that gives you a pretty neat view of Temple Church.

The historic buildings and cobblestone paths lead to a small, secluded garden which would probably make for a perfect reading spot in London.

To find autumn colors in the city, I’ve always found Hare Court to be a gorgeous photo spot, and the ironwork and red brick buildings always me feel like I’ve stepped back in time.
Read: The Prettiest Neighborhoods in London
Best Hidden Gems near Fleet Street London: Temple Church Arches

Go back on your steps to Temple Church, and on the right, the arches facing the church are one of the most beautiful parts of the Fleet Street area.
A great photo spot, crisp and clean, at the far right end of which you will come across one of London’s most secret gardens.

There is another passageway a few steps before, also on the right, and this one will unveil another bigger courtyard, with benches and a fountain perfect to rest for a bit.
The Inner and Middle Temple Gardens are located close by, but the place we are going to see next, which is the perfect background for a romantic date in London, almost feels too magical to be true.
Read: Why Are There Colorful Streets in London?
Best Things to Do near Fleet Street London: Pump Court Garden, Inner and Middle Temple Gardens

Pump Court is the picturesque little garden you will find at the far right end of the arches in front of Temple Church, and one of my favorite places to write in London.
The globe sculpture in the middle of the courtyard is covered with a poem I loved so much that, in homage to London, I got it tattooed:
Make Time, Save Time,
While Time Lasts,
All Time is No Time
When Time is Past

A great place to find some nature in London as well, Pump Court is especially beautiful during the spring with its purple and pink flowers, its leaf-covered arches and overall very Alice in Wonderland vibe.
Read: Where to See Christmas Decorations in London?
Best Hidden Gems near Fleet Street London: Milford Lane

At one end of Inner Temple Gardens, which are lined with benches and perfect for a picnic, you will find the beautiful Milford Lane.

Going till the end of the alleyway will bring you to the Thames River, with the free rooftop on top on the Temple station only a few minutes’ walk away.

If you would like to discover another one of London’s prettiest gardens, the Victoria Embankment Gardens are especially gorgeous during the spring, colorful and always well-maintained.

The Temple neighborhood is one I love, with its historic buildings and views on the river, but before you make your way there, check out Two Temple Place.
Read: The Best Things to Buy in London
Best Things to Do near Fleet Street London: Two Temple Place

The Neo-Gothic building of Two Temple Place was built during the 19th century, and originally designed as a private residence for William Waldorf Astor.
This is one of London’s most secret stately homes, and one you can visit from time to time – check out the website to see the next openings to visit this gorgeous house.
Even if you don’t get the chance to visit it, the facade and its intricate carvings are still an artistic hidden gem you shouldn’t miss.
Read: The Prettiest Shopping Arcades in London
Best Hidden Gems near Fleet Street London: Apothecaries Hall

Going back closer to Fleet Street, you will find in one of the hidden alleyways the Apothecaries’ Hall, a historic livery hall founded at the beginning of the 17th century.
The original Hall burned down during the Great Fire of London of 1666, and was rebuilt in 1672 with some of the most opulent interiors you will find in London.

Since the Apothecaries’ Hall is now an events venue, we are going to focus on enjoying the facade, just as beautiful as Black Friars Lane where the hall is established.
Read: The Best Shopping Centers in London
Best Things to Do near Fleet Street London: Carter Lane

When you are done admiring the Apothecaries’ Hall, walk up Black Friars Lane towards Fleet Street and on the right, you will find Carter Lane, one of the prettiest streets in the City of London.

Lined with historic buildings, tiny shops and restaurants, Carter Lane and the surrounding streets, like St Andrew’s Hill, are probably one of the most secret photo spots you will find in town.


The street was named after John Carter, a prominent 17th century merchant who owned property in the area, and to this day, the agglomeration of small alleys around it makes it one of London’s cutest villages.
Read: The Best Stationery Shops in London
Best Hidden Gems near Fleet Street London: Wardrobe Place

Just off of Carter Lane, we are reaching the last spot in this historic London itinerary, and will be enjoying for a moment or two, the quaint beauty of Wardrobe Place.
Named after the Royal Wardrobe, which used to be established nearby, Wardrobe Place is one of those magical places that make you feel like you’re at Grimmauld Place in Harry Potter.

The King’s Wardrobe was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666, and dissolved a few years later.
Make sure you check out the courtyard when you are in the area, if only to imagine people going about their day in the area back in the day.
Read: The Biggest TK Maxx in London
Fleet Street, London: Hidden Gems, History and Things to Do

Thus finishes our trip to Fleet Street, one of London’s oldest and prettiest streets.
You will hopefully have found a few secret gardens, churches, and enclaves to discover during your next trip to London, although Londoners will probably also enjoy seeing another side of the bustling city.
When you are done visiting Fleet Street, why not keep going with other historic neighborhoods of London, like Holborn and Chancery Lane?
Or, if you would like to find something a tad different, check out Liverpool Street and the Shoreditch area!
