PLACES OF WORSHIP
walks from LONDON TUBE RAMBLES
Unfortunately, due to theft and vandalism, most churches are no longer open outside the times of public worship. Those that have a volunteer warden system or similar are marked +, but it would be advisable to check before making a special journey. Most of the parish churches listed below are worth visiting not only for the architectural interest or beauty of their exteriors but also for the tranquillity and fascinating historical evidence to be found in their adjoining churchyards. Also included are some of the large Victorian Municipal cemeteries.
There are special conditions for visiting (see Archway entry for details and link to cemetery website)
Barking+ Interesting medieval church with sea-going connections.
Chigwell Pretty village church with Norman doorway.
Canons Park+ (Sundays afternoons only) Stone tower 1360, rest of Church rebuilt 1715.
Handel played the magnificent organ here when working for the Duke of Chandos.
Rich interior with flamboyant monuments, also paintings by Italian masters.
Ealing Common+ Originally a medieval building, rebuilt in eighteenth century, much
altered and enlarged by S.S. Teulon 1866-74. Outwardly a bit of a monster, but thanks
to a recent refurbishment (with a romantic history) it has a gloriously colourful interior
which is well worth a visit.
East Putney+ Medieval church important in Civil War history, as The Putney Debates
were held here in 1647. Much altered since then, with interior modernised after fire damage.
Greenford Two churches on the same site – both with interesting exteriors. One is
medieval and small, the other was built in 1943 and is considerably larger, with much
wood in evidence, echoing the weatherboarded tower of the old church.
Harlesden+ Astonishingly beautiful Hindu temple – visitors made very welcome.
Ickenham+ Medieval church with rare seventeenth mortuary chapel.
Kensal Green+ One of the great Victorian cemeteries with many magnificent and
intriguing monuments.
Perivale A tiny ‘rescued’ twelfth-century church and music centre tucked away in a
shady spot with sixteenth-century weatherboarded bell tower.
Ruislip+ Interesting interior with Jacobean bread cupboard and three-lock parish chest
St John's Wood Church+ Breathtakingly beautiful Regency interior with original box pews
Stanmore+ Extensive, picturesque remains of seventeenth century brick church
half-demolished to make way for the Victorian building which stands next to it.
Upminster+Church with twelfth century tower from which important scientific
experiments on sound were conducted in the eighteenth century.
Wanstead Elegant Georgian church of St. Mary. Graveyard watcher's shelter in churchyard.
West Brompton+ Another vast Victorian cemetery with monuments to many famous
people.
Photos:
1)St. Mary's, Wanstead:
2)Ruins of Stanmore Church, half-demolished in Victorian times to make way for a new building before parishioners protested:
3)Chuch of St. Giles, Ickenham
www.londontuberambles.co.uk
These are just a few of the many fascinating things to be found at London Tube Rambles. There are architectural gems, beautiful country views, historic places and quirky buildings even in the most unpromising areas covered by the outer London Underground stations. Usually the discoveries are within a mile of the Tube - often only five minutes walk away. If you reached this as an individual page via a search engine, you might like to click on the above link and see more places to explore. You'll be amazed at what's out there!
Chigwell Pretty village church with Norman doorway.
Canons Park+ (Sundays afternoons only) Stone tower 1360, rest of Church rebuilt 1715.
Handel played the magnificent organ here when working for the Duke of Chandos.
Rich interior with flamboyant monuments, also paintings by Italian masters.
Ealing Common+ Originally a medieval building, rebuilt in eighteenth century, much
altered and enlarged by S.S. Teulon 1866-74. Outwardly a bit of a monster, but thanks
to a recent refurbishment (with a romantic history) it has a gloriously colourful interior
which is well worth a visit.
East Putney+ Medieval church important in Civil War history, as The Putney Debateswere held here in 1647. Much altered since then, with interior modernised after fire damage.
Greenford Two churches on the same site – both with interesting exteriors. One is
medieval and small, the other was built in 1943 and is considerably larger, with much
wood in evidence, echoing the weatherboarded tower of the old church.
Harlesden+ Astonishingly beautiful Hindu temple – visitors made very welcome.
Ickenham+ Medieval church with rare seventeenth mortuary chapel.
Kensal Green+ One of the great Victorian cemeteries with many magnificent and
intriguing monuments.
Perivale A tiny ‘rescued’ twelfth-century church and music centre tucked away in a
shady spot with sixteenth-century weatherboarded bell tower.
Ruislip+ Interesting interior with Jacobean bread cupboard and three-lock parish chestSt John's Wood Church+ Breathtakingly beautiful Regency interior with original box pews
Stanmore+ Extensive, picturesque remains of seventeenth century brick church
half-demolished to make way for the Victorian building which stands next to it.
Upminster+Church with twelfth century tower from which important scientific
experiments on sound were conducted in the eighteenth century.
Wanstead Elegant Georgian church of St. Mary. Graveyard watcher's shelter in churchyard.
West Brompton+ Another vast Victorian cemetery with monuments to many famous
people.
Photos:
1)St. Mary's, Wanstead:
2)Ruins of Stanmore Church, half-demolished in Victorian times to make way for a new building before parishioners protested:
3)Chuch of St. Giles, Ickenham
www.londontuberambles.co.uk
These are just a few of the many fascinating things to be found at London Tube Rambles. There are architectural gems, beautiful country views, historic places and quirky buildings even in the most unpromising areas covered by the outer London Underground stations. Usually the discoveries are within a mile of the Tube - often only five minutes walk away. If you reached this as an individual page via a search engine, you might like to click on the above link and see more places to explore. You'll be amazed at what's out there!
