13 Rockley Road, Shepherds Bush, London W14 0DA
St Simon's Church, Shepherds Bush
Church
Place photograph
3.6
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
3.6A late-Victorian Gothic Revival church whose banded stone tower and spire rise above the streets of Shepherds Bush.
St Simon’s is a distinctive piece of local Victorian architecture rather than a nature destination: its polychrome tower, spire and long-serving parish life give it a clear place in Shepherds Bush’s story.
Atmospheric · Historic
Find your way
Open map13 Rockley Road, Shepherds Bush, London W14 0DA
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The experience
A brief architecture-and-local-history stop, best paired with attending a service or another independently planned visit in Shepherds Bush. Sightseeing access outside services is unconfirmed.
Things to do
See the banded tower and spire
Look for the horizontal bands of stonework on the tower and spire, a distinctive feature of the church’s Victorian Gothic Revival design.
Attend a Sunday service
The church website lists an informal Sunday service at 10:30am. Confirm details before travelling.
The church website lists 10:30am–12pm.
Ask about the church’s interior details
Historical sources describe stained glass installed in the east window in 1903 and a pipe organ made in 1865, acquired by the church in 1893. Whether visitors can view these features outside services is not confirmed.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow under an hour; visit access outside services is unconfirmed.
A short look at St Simon’s
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Check with the church about access before setting out.
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If access is available, take in the church’s exterior and its banded tower and spire.
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If attending the Sunday service, note that the church lists it at 10:30am.
Verified history
St Simon’s is a Church of England parish church designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield in the Gothic Revival style. Construction began in 1879 and continued to 1886; the foundation stone was laid by John Derby Allcroft on 6 March 1878, and the first service was held in 1880. The chancel, parish hall and spire were completed in 1886. The church’s pipe organ dates from 1865 and was acquired from Dunblane Cathedral in 1893. Stained glass was installed in the east window in 1903 in memory of the first vicar, Robert Handcock.
Hidden details
An organ with an earlier history — The pipe organ predates the church: it was made in 1865 and acquired from Dunblane Cathedral in 1893. Interior access is not confirmed, so ask the church whether it can be seen.
The east-window memorial glass — Stained glass was installed in the east window in 1903 in memory of the church’s first vicar, Robert Handcock. Whether the window is visible to visitors outside services is not confirmed.
When to go
· Sunday morning, if attending the listed 10:30am service. Confirm the service and access details before travelling.
No seasonal advantage is evidenced; the church’s listed service makes Sunday morning the clearest time to plan around.
No weather-specific information is available. Check access arrangements before visiting.
What to look for
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The Victorian Gothic Revival design
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the tower and spire with horizontal bands of stonework
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the east-window stained glass installed in 1903
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and the pipe organ, made in 1865 and acquired by the church in 1893.
The story
Victorian architecture
Best time to go
Year-round, subject to the church’s services and access arrangements.
The church lists an informal Sunday service at 10:30am. Check with the church before travelling, especially if you hope to look around outside the service.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: 1-3pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 1-3pm
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: 10am-12pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The church welcomes visitors to its Sunday service at 10:30am. Access outside services is not confirmed; check with the church before visiting. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
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Parking
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Toilets
The source row reports a toilet and wheelchair-accessible toilet; confirm availability before visiting.
Food & drink
A fortnightly Play Cafe is listed on the church website; check its current schedule before planning around it.
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The source row reports a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park. It also reports an accessible toilet; confirm current facilities with the church.
Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around St Simon's Church, Shepherds Bush
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
