The Broadway, North Street, Barking IG11 8AS
St Margaret’s Parish Church, Barking
Church
Place photograph
6.4
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.4A living parish church on the site of Barking Abbey, with a history reaching back to the abbey’s early Christian community. The present church dates from 1215; its story also includes the marriage of Captain James Cook in 1762 and a churchyard where some legible memorials date to the 17th century.
This is not a remote landscape, but it earns its place for the way a living church connects visitors to Barking Abbey’s long religious history. The 1215 building, historic churchyard and documented link to Captain James Cook give a short visit several layers to explore. Arrange access in advance.
Atmospheric · Historic
Find your way
Open mapThe Broadway, North Street, Barking IG11 8AS
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The experience
Arrange a visit with the parish office, then explore the church and, if access allows, its churchyard. This is a compact heritage stop rather than a full-day destination on its own.
Things to do
Explore the historic parish church
Arrange a visit and explore the church whose present building is described by Open House Festival as dating from 1215 and as a continuation of Barking Abbey’s history.
Allow about 1 hour; verify arrangements.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Around 1 hour; confirm visit arrangements first.
A short church-and-history visit
- 01
Email the parish office to arrange a weekday visit, or check service arrangements before attending on Sunday.
- 02
Explore the church’s historic setting and look for features identified by the church or a guide.
- 03
If the churchyard is open, look for the Thomas Moore memorial described in the supplied churchyard-tour transcript.
Half day · 1–2 hours; guided-tour availability and churchyard access need confirmation.
Church, churchyard and Barking Abbey story
- 01
Arrange access with the parish office and ask whether a guided tour is available.
- 02
Spend time inside the church, whose history Open House Festival connects with Barking Abbey.
- 03
If access permits, explore the churchyard and look for the Thomas Moore memorial and other historic graves described in the supplied tour transcript.
Verified history
The church’s official website describes St Margaret’s as standing on the site of Barking Abbey, an ancient Christian site where people have prayed for more than 1,300 years. Open House Festival describes the present Grade I listed church as dating from 1215 and as the living continuation of Barking Abbey. Tripadvisor records a local historical connection: Captain James Cook married here on 21 December 1762. The supplied churchyard-tour transcript describes a surviving legible memorial to churchwarden Thomas Moore, who died in 1670; that detail comes from the tour transcript and should be checked against the memorial on site.
Hidden details
A church still serving its community — St Margaret’s is not simply a preserved historic building: its official website describes an active, multi-cultural Christian community and lists regular worship. Check current service and visitor arrangements before visiting.
When to go
· Visit only after confirming access with the church; the official website lists Sunday services at 8:30am and 11am and requests that weekday visits be arranged by email.
The supplied sources indicate an indoor heritage visit rather than a seasonal outdoor experience. Access arrangements, worship and churchyard conditions matter more than month.
The church is described by Open House Festival as fairly cool even on hot days. Check current access and conditions before travelling.
Worth pairing with
Barking Abbey ruins
Open House Festival identifies St Margaret’s as being within the grounds of the former Barking Abbey and notes the surviving Curfew Tower. Confirm access and any site arrangements before planning a combined visit.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the church’s historic fabric and, if the churchyard is open, surviving memorials. A supplied churchyard-tour transcript identifies a legible Thomas Moore memorial dated 1670
- 02
confirm its location and present condition on site.
The story
Saints & pilgrimage, Archaeology
Best time to go
Year-round, subject to arranged visitor access and worship schedules.
Plan around confirmed visitor access. The church website lists Sunday services at 8:30am and 11am and says weekday visits should be arranged by email.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour; allow longer if a guided visit is arranged.
Perfect for
History lovers · Solo · Couples
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10-11:30am
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The church welcomes visitors, but its website asks people to email the parish office to arrange a weekday visit. Sunday worship is listed at 8:30am and 11am; check with the church before travelling, as visitor access and current arrangements may vary.
Check before visiting
Parking
Blue Badge parking is listed by Open House Festival. Other parking details are not established; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
An accessible toilet is listed by Open House Festival; confirm availability with the church before travelling.
Food & drink
A church Refectory serving warm drinks and cake is mentioned by Tripadvisor; current availability is not verified, so check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check with the church before visiting with a dog.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Open House Festival lists step-free routes, an accessible toilet and Blue Badge parking. Confirm the current route and facilities with the church before visiting.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around St Margaret’s Parish Church, Barking
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
