DK Travel : London : History & Culture

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St Bartholomew-the-Great

London’s oldest church, St Bartholomew, was built in the 12th century. Several Norman architectural details may be seen.
St Bride’s

There has been a church on this site since Roman times. Sir Christopher Wren’s fine church has a wonderful tiered spire that was copied for a wedding cake by a Fleet Street baker, Mr Rich, starting a trend. This is traditionally the journalists’ church and memorial services are held here.
St George’s Church

This church was described in a 19th-century guide book as “the most pretentious, ugliest edifice in the metropolis”. The steeple is topped with a statue of King George I posing as St George.
St James’s Palace

Although not open to the public, St James’s has a key role in royal London. Its classic Tudor style sets it in the reign of Henry VIII, although it served only briefly as a royal residence. Prince Charles has offices here.
St James’s Palace

Built by Henry VIII, on the site of the former hospital of St James, the palace is the official residence of Prince Charles. The red brick Tudor gatehouse is a familiar landmark.
St James’s Park

This is undoubtedly London’s most elegant park, with dazzling flower beds, exotic wildfowl on the lake (watch the pelicans being fed at 3pm), a good café with outdoor seating and music on the bandstand in summer. The bridge over the lake has a good view to the west of Buckingham Palace and, to the east, of the former Colonial Office where just 125 civil servants once governed the British Empire that covered one fifth of the world.
St Katharine’s Dock

Near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, this is the place to come and relax, to watch the rich on their yachts and the working sailors on the Thames barges. There are several cafés, the Dickens Inn, with outside tables, and the Aquarium restaurant for a serious meal.
St Katherine Cree

One of eight churches to survive the Great Fire, it dates from about 1630. Purcell and Handel both played on its organ.
St Lawrence Jewry

Beautiful stained glass windows of historic figures are the highlight here.
St Magnus the Martyr

Designed by Wren in the 1670s, the church retains his elegant pulpit. Lunchtime recitals are held on Tuesdays throughout the year.