St Giles High Street, London WC2H 8LG
St Giles-in-the-Fields
Church
Place photograph
5.2
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.2A church on this site since 1101, St Giles has stood at a crossroads shaped by a leper hospital, the old road to Tyburn and centuries of changing London life.
This is a very urban place, not a wild landscape, but its churchyard and layered history offer a striking pause amid the West End. The site’s story reaches from Queen Matilda’s leper hospital to the condemned passing the churchyard gate on their way to Tyburn.
Atmospheric · Historic
Find your way
Open mapSt Giles High Street, London WC2H 8LG
Opening map…
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The experience
Explore the church and churchyard through their long history, from the hospital founded here in 1101 to the rebuilding of the church in the 17th and 18th centuries. Look for the churchyard gate and its Day of Judgement relief, and check the church’s current visitor information before setting out.
Things to do
Explore the churchyard gate
Find the gate described in the historical account and look for the bas-relief of the Day of Judgement above the entrance.
10–15 minutes
Look for the church’s historic pulpit
The church’s history notes that a pulpit ordered after the Restoration in 1660 can still be seen inside.
10–15 minutes
Discover the parish story with Bloomberg Connects
The church says its free app guide includes a tour of the church and churchyard and self-guided walks around the parish.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick churchyard and church visit
- 01
Check the church’s current visitor access before setting out.
- 02
Visit the church and churchyard, if open.
- 03
Look for the churchyard gate and its Day of Judgement relief.
- 04
Inside, look for the historic pulpit and the illuminated manuscript associated with the rebuilding.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of St Giles’ history
- 01
Check current church access and begin with the church and churchyard.
- 02
Use the church’s free Bloomberg Connects app tour, which covers the church, churchyard and parish history.
- 03
Follow one of the app’s self-guided parish walks, choosing a route that suits the time available.
- 04
Check the route and any stops in the app before setting off.
Verified history
The church’s history says Queen Matilda founded a leper hospital on this site in 1101; its chapel became a parish church in 1542 after the hospital was dissolved. A church built in 1623–30 was consecrated in 1631. The present church was built between 1730 and 1734. In the 15th century, the churchyard’s north-west corner became a place of execution before the gallows moved to Tyburn. The church’s account identifies Anthony Babington and his co-conspirators as the last people hanged and disembowelled there, on 20 and 21 September 1586. Executed people continued to be buried at St Giles after executions moved to Tyburn.
Hidden details
The Day of Judgement above the gate — The churchyard gate is described as bearing a bas-relief of the Day of Judgement. Its original position was on the north side of the churchyard; it was moved and re-erected opposite the western entrance in 1865.
The rebuilding manuscript — The church says it still has an illuminated manuscript listing subscribers to the rebuilding of the 17th-century church, known as the Doomsday Book.
The St Giles Bowl — The church’s history recounts the tradition of offering condemned people a bowl of ale at the churchyard gate on their way to execution. The account calls this the ‘St Giles’s Bowl’.
When to go
January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December · Visit during confirmed opening hours; check current access before travelling.
The church is a history-focused urban visit rather than a seasonal nature destination. Access and opening hours are more important than the time of year.
The church visit is primarily indoors, but conditions may affect time spent in the churchyard. Check access before visiting.
Worth pairing with
Self-guided St Giles parish walk
The church says its Bloomberg Connects guide includes self-guided walking routes around the parish. Choose and verify a route in the app before setting off.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the churchyard gate’s bas-relief of the Day of Judgement
- 02
the church’s historic pulpit
- 03
and the illuminated manuscript recording subscribers to the 17th-century rebuilding, known as the Doomsday Book.
The story
Saints & pilgrimage, War & battle, Crime & punishment
Best time to go
Year-round; check current opening times before visiting.
Go during confirmed visitor opening hours. The supplied source row lists weekday and weekend hours, but these should be checked with the church before visiting.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Solo
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 9am-5pm
- Tuesday: 9am-5pm
- Wednesday: 9am-5pm
- Thursday: 9am-5pm
- Friday: 9am-5pm
- Saturday: 11am-3pm
- Sunday: 10:30am-1pm, 6-8pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A working church in central London. The church and churchyard are described as visitable, but access and current opening times should be checked before travelling.
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Parking
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Toilets
A toilet is listed in the source row; availability and visitor access are not confirmed. Check before visiting.
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible entrance and toilet. Confirm current access arrangements before visiting.
Cost
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Water
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around St Giles-in-the-Fields
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
