A local’s guide to off-the-beaten-path London, with the most unexpected places to visit to admire beautiful stained glass in London – most are completely free!
I have always loved stained glass; I come from Troyes, France, a medieval city where one of our main museums is the Cite du Vitrail.
There are some very beautiful places with stained glass in London; they are rare apart from the beautiful churches, but you can still find them around town.
5 Wonderful Spots to Admire Stained Glass in London
From Chelsea to the City of London and Fitzrovia, we will travel around London today through several spots focused on the beautiful art of stained glass in London.
We will wander a bit from the 17th century to more modern creations, which are less austere than in places that are nonetheless incredible, like the secret Lincoln’s Inn Chapel off Fleet Street.
Stained Glass in London: Michelin House, Fulham Road, Chelsea
Michelin House is located on Fulham Road, right in the heart of Chelsea.
It is one of the most beautiful buildings in London and a striking example of the transition between Art Nouveau and Art Deco, as it was built in 1911.
From the outside, you can admire magnificent examples of stained glass in London featuring Bibendum, the Michelin Man.
Since this building was the first permanent UK headquarters for the Michelin Tyre Company, the stained glass depicts him as a gladiator or a cigar-smoking cyclist.
These images were meant to represent the toughness of the tires at the time.
Although Michelin has moved out, the building was restored and now houses the magnificent restaurant Claude Bosi at Bibendum, close to the wonderful Victoria and Albert Museum.
Stained Glass in London: Sacré Blur Greenhouse, Porchester Place
Close to Hyde Park (and therefore Winter Wonderland at Christmas!), you will find Connaught Village, one of the poshest areas in London.
It is also there, inside Connaught Village, that you can find the curious Sacré Bleu Greenhouse, a public art installation created by artist Joseph Hillier in collaboration with the estate.
This little greenhouse is one of the most beautiful spots for stained glass in London, located near wonderful cafes like Saint Aymes with its floral decor, and it truly glows, especially in the sun or at night.
Stained Glass in London: Lincoln’s Inn Chapel, City of London
Lincoln’s Inn Chapel in the City of London is a historic place I particularly love, whether for the chapel itself or the columns in the undercroft below, which form one of the most instagrammable spots in London.
Finished in 1623, Lincoln’s Inn Chapel features architecture by Inigo Jones (who also designed the Covent Garden Piazza), with windows that are incredibly detailed and survived the Blitz.
The stained glass found here, which notably represents the various treasurers of Lincoln’s Inn, is magnificent, and you will find yourself in one of the quietest parts of London.
Once you are finished, you will find many hidden gems in the City of London nearby, whether it is Temple Church, Elm Court, or even the Sir John Soane’s Museum.
Stained Glass in London: The Champion Pub, Fitzrovia, Central London
If you are fond of Victorian spots in London, you should definitely take a look at The Champion pub, located in the historic writers’ and artists’ district of Fitzrovia.
The Champion pub dates back to 1860, but it was restored in the 1950s and features famous Victorian figures who were champions in their respective fields.
These include Florence Nightingale, Captain Webb (the first person to swim the English Channel), and W.G. Grace for cricket.
It is also one of the most beautiful places to see stained glass in London, located close to the cool charity shops on Goodge Street and the independent stores on Charlotte Street.
Stained Glass in London: Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, Central London
In the courtyard of Burlington House, which also houses the Royal Academy, you will find the Royal Society of Chemistry, which has been there since the mid-19th century.
There are two places you must visit: the library and the stairwells, which are a tribute to the history of science.
They feature chemical elements, portraits of famous chemists, and alchemy symbols within the stained glass.
The library is one of the most secret places in London, which can be visited during the Open House Festival and is also open for specific events.
The Royal Academy of Arts is in the same courtyard, one of the most classic free museums in London.
You will also find Maison Assouline, a beautiful bookstore, nearby, as well as the Fortnum & Mason department store right across the street.
5 Wonderful Spots to Admire Stained Glass in London
Once you have had your fill of stained glass, you can continue to discover the layers of London’s history in several different neighborhoods.
For example, in Mayfair or Bloomsbury, you will see old bow fronted shopfronts, while in the City of London, you will find many beautiful ruins.
Among them are St Dunstan in the East and Christchurch Greyfriars, which I love for their secret gardens and church ruins.
You can also visit St Alphage Church Gardens, another beautiful ruin that sits next to the remains of the Roman wall, or if you want to keep going with an artsy way of discovering London, check out its secret mosaics, along with its Art Deco and Art Nouveau spots!
Or, if you haven’t yet, you can head toward Oxford Street, Covent Garden, London Bridge or Soho for a bit of shopping!