All Hallows by the Tower — Attraction in London

An important Church established in 675AD (its website contains a fuller history of the Church) standing near to what would become the Tower of London and also Tower Hill, the church would have witnessed many historical events in the life of the nation and the church in London.

Two bishops celebrated by the Church of England (and one catholic saint) are commerated at the church. An icon of the martyred Bishop of Rochester John Fisher who was buried at All Hallows is commentated. I presume that is why one of the pew carvings in the nave is of a cardinal’s galero (hat with tassels), he was made a cardinal shortly prior to his execution by Henry VIII for his defence of his Queen, Catherine of Aragon.

Archbishop William Laud was baptised at the church and plaque in crypt commemorates his like John Fishers execution for Treason at near by Tower Hill.

The crypt of the church is veritable “museum” of the religious life of the area from roman days to the modern.

Twi fine memorials to dead of the world wars are in the crypt as well as little seen battlefield burial marker crosses.

The church three fine altars, a Lady Chapel, main altar and maritime altar. The church traces its maritime links with many moving memorials to sea going both war time and peace time, including a memorial to HMS Hood sunk by the German Battleship Bismarck. And The Thames Memorial.

Two links to America exists with the church, William Penn founder of the State of Pennsylvania was baptised in the Church and the sixth president John Quincy Adams married at the...

All Hallows Barking by the Tower is a surprisingly enjoyable church which has a long and rich history and a fair number of interesting artefacts to see. It is located next to the Towers of London but lives deep in its shadows, having only a fraction of the number of visitors of its famous neighbour.

The church is one of the oldest in London, being founded as a Saxon church in 675AD. Within its walls are numerous historic artefacts from the Roman, Saxon, Medieval and later periods up to the 20th century. These are found within the main church hall as well as the Crypt Museum found beneath. Both are free to visit and there are free guided tours each weekday between 2-4pm.

For a list of the important artefacts including the Saxon Arch and early Roman Pavement simply visit the the church website 'Visiting - Virtual Tour' page. Here you can find nice descriptions of all.

There is also a nice looking cafe in the courtyard at All Hallows Barking by the Tower that is highly rated here on Tripadvisor. Unfortunately they were closed for an event during our recent visit so we were unable to take a meal here, maybe next time.

In the end, we find All Hallows Barking by the Tower church to be an interesting historical church that can be conveniently visited before or after the Tower of London just next door. It is well worth consideration for those interested in seeing one of London's lesser known yet better...

All Hallows-by-the-Tower, at one time dedicated jointly to All Hallows (All Saints) and the Virgin Mary and sometimes known as All Hallows Barking, is an ancient Anglican church on Byward Street in the City of London, overlooking the Tower of London. According to the church website and other sources it is "the oldest church in the City of London" and was founded in or before AD 675. These claims are not supported by recent research. The church survived the Great Fire of London in 1666, but was badly damaged during the Blitz in World War II. Following extensive reconstruction, it was rededicated in 1957. From 1922 until 1962 the vicar was the Reverend Philip T. B. "Tubby" Clayton, and the church is still the guild church of Toc H, the international Christian organisation that he founded. The origin and early history of All Hallows-by-the-Tower church are obscure. At the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 the church belonged to Barking Abbey, a wealthy Benedictine nunnery in Barking, Essex, originally established in the 7th century. The association with Barking was a long one, and All Hallows church was already known as "Berkyncherche" in the 12th century. According to Domesday Book in 1086, Barking Abbey possessed "28 houses and half a church" in London: although the church is not named, it is usually identified with...