St Bride's Church, Fleet Street

Beautiful church hidden behind the buildings on the main road and perfect place to contemplate and get some peace from the outside world. The church, its crypt and museum charts the history of London from the roman times to now with the archaeological finds from the site to explore.

St Brides on Fleet Street is one of London's most historical churches, and sadly, it was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666. However, a new church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and erected on the site until its demise during the Second World War.Despite being extensively damaged during the Blitz, the church was painstainkingly restored to its former glory and re-opened for worship in the 1950sThe church has been synonymous with the newspaper industry because of its location in Fleet Street. However, the church is open to all and now houses its own museum in the Crypt and is well worth a visit.

Just a little off the beaten path from St Paul’s church, St Bride’s is worth a visit! Visitors are welcome to see this site, it is free, but we made a donation to the church! Please know, there are not any public restrooms.A church steeped in great history! I definitely suggest taking 20-30 minutes to go downstairs and see the historical exhibit that dates back 2000 years.“'PHOENIX OF FlEET STREET'This crypt orS Brides where you now sand. spans2000 years of this country's history; spiritual, political and social.The Romans built on this spot. It was believed that a Celtic Christian community was active here. Saxon and Norman churches followed. The medieval church was one of 88 parish churches destroyed by the Great Fire of London in September 1666. Sir Christopher Wren, the builder of St Paul's Cathedral, designed the new St Bride's with its 'wedding cake' steeple.On 29 December 1940, during the Second World War, St Bride's was burnt down - only the steeple and outer walls remaining - in the great fire-bomb raid on London.After the War, the church was rebuilt substantially to Wren's original design.In 1952, before rebuilding began, Professor W. F. Grimes carried out excavations on behalf of the Roman and Medieval London Excavation Council; unfortunately he died before his detailed report could be completed In 1993, research funded by English Heritage, began at the Museum of London to reassess his work; meanwhile archacologists from University College London complemented the earlier investigations by recording in detail the standing medieval stonework.The story of St Bride's is embodied in the stones around you; this exhibition reveals that story of the past as it has been interpreted by archacologists of today.”

I was in the area for business and had some time to stroll around, when I noticed the sign outside the church. I went in to have a look, even though it was not the day/time mentioned in the sign. I was pleased to see that it had a welcoming environment and, unlike many other churches, was not trying to make a profit out of the visitors (there is an option to make a donation if you wish, but access to the modern" Church and the crypt is free). Well presented and easily accessible. An interesting place to visit with its own history

I only went because of Notting Hill, the journalist church and it's stunning. An unusual tiled floor, beautiful stained glass windows and statues but more surprising below ground level are the ruins of the original church. A wonderful memorial place for those lost at war. So much to see, I loved it.

What an interesting, unassuming place. The historical details covered were interesting. Plus the way it was presented was engaging. Highly recommended

We visited St. Bride's as part of our free City of London tour. The visit was free on a Tuesday morning. Our guide Sinead took us down to the crypt and explained Victorian-era resurrection men. It was really interesting to explore the excavated area, old tombstones, and the lovely little chapel. We didn't look much into the ground floor main church, but it was very bright and spacious.

Another fine work by the famous Christopher Wren.The place is just 5 minute walk from St. Paul Cathedral (another work of Wren).Entry to the cathedral and the crypt/museum is completely free.Well worth a visit.

As St Paul in covent garden is to the arts, St Bride's is to newspapers and journalism.The church is a memorial to journalism and their mission to accurately inform.The church has a remembrance altar on which are the ordo of service for deceased journalists and others.St Bride's suffered damage during the war and a positive was the discovery of Medieval and earlier church ruins and the crypt is worth visiting.

Highly recommend a visit if you’re a history fan. They have a very unique exhibit under the main church that shows thousands of years of history.From Roman era flooring through Saxon, 11th century, 12th century, etc. foundations of earlier churches. All well labeled and documented by signage. And all free!Truly a historic gem that isn’t well known. Thankfully a pub tour guide recommended it to me.