A local’s guide to visiting the wonderful ruins and the secret garden of Christchurch Greyfriars in London, close to St Paul’s Cathedral and Postman’s Park!
I’ve been telling you about the beautiful ruins of Christchurch Greyfriars in the City of London for quite a while now, but I’ve never actually sat down to really dive deep into its story.
If you’ve spent any time here on The Working Line, then you probably know how much I love discovering historic spots in London that are still new to me.
Recently, I’ve been sharing more about secret gardens like the Hampstead Pergola and Hill Garden, or Mark Street Gardens in Shoreditch, and the ruins of St Alphage Church, also in the City.
I’ve even explored the legal district with you at Elm Court near Temple Church, and we’ve looked at so many beautiful churches, their gardens, and endless stunning ruins.
Today, we’re focusing on the secret garden I love so much: Christchurch Greyfriars.
London’s Christchurch Greyfriars, Secret Church Ruins
Christchurch Greyfriars (also known as Christ Church Greyfriars) was one of the many churches damaged in the Great Fire of London in 1666, and that tragic event is probably the main reason the site is famous at all.
Usually, when people talk about ruins in London, they think of St Dunstan in the East with its gorgeous Gothic aesthetic.
But there are actually so many ruined churches in the city, or gardens built on the sites of vanished churches, like the picturesque Reflection Garden with its view of St Paul’s Cathedral, or St Pancras Church Gardens, also in the City.
The garden at Christchurch Greyfriars was originally the site of a massive Franciscan monastery established in the 13th century.
Back then, it was one of the largest churches in London and served as the burial place for several queens.
Then came the Great Fire, which wiped out dozens of churches across the City.
This led to a huge reconstruction movement led by the legendary architect Sir Christopher Wren, who rebuilt the church in 1687 in a breathtaking Baroque style.
You can still visit many of Wren’s churches across London today, including St Paul’s Cathedral itself.
But the Great Fire wasn’t the only event that changed Christchurch Greyfriars.
Like many other buildings, it was destroyed during the Blitz in 1940.
The interior was gutted and the roof collapsed – only the outer walls and the tower survived, and that tower is actually a private residence now!
After the war, the city decided to keep Christchurch Greyfriars exactly as it was: a set of ruins. It was eventually turned into a public garden in 1989.
The garden is shaped the way it is for a reason – it was designed to mirror the original interior of the church.
Wooden trellises and climbing roses now stand where the great pillars once held up the roof, and the flower beds are laid out to represent the original pews.
It’s such a poetic way to preserve the space, and has made London that little bit quieter, even if super close to St Paul’s.
Christ’s Hospital Sculpture by Andrew F Brown at Christchurch Greyfriars, London
Christchurch Greyfriars London Photo Gallery
London’s Christchurch Greyfriars, Secret Church Ruins
Once you’ve finished exploring the incredible ruins of Christchurch Greyfriars, you might want to dive a little deeper into London’s history.
Why not visit a free museum next?
You could head to the Museum of London, the Ragged School Museum, or the Young V&A if you’re into vintage toys and costumes.
There’s also the secret Sir John Soane’s Museum, which is an architect’s townhouse filled with countless sculptures, antique furniture, and paintings.
If you’d rather keep going with a nature-focused itinerary, you could visit Postman’s Park with its Watts Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, or head to Tivoli Corner for a beautiful neoclassical view of the City.
And to top it all off, if you want an absolutely breathtaking free view of London, I highly recommend stopping by Horizon 22 to see the skyscrapers silhouetted against the sky!
Greyfriars Christchurch London
Address: King Edward St, London EC1A 7BA
Website: City of London