Southwark Cathedral — Attraction in London

One of the nice attractions in the Southwark district is the historic Southwark Cathedral. This cathedral has nearly 1000 years of history and makes a nice place to stop before or after seeing other area attractions.

Like other churches in London, it is difficult pinpointing the actual founding of Southwark Cathedral. However, it is believed that a nunnery existed at this location as early as the 7th century. William of Normandy's Domesday Book (1086) also makes reference to a minster found at this location. More official historical records indicate that Norman Knights re-founded the priory, dedicating it to St Mary Overy ('over the river') in 1106.

Centuries later, the Priory of St. Mary Overy was surrendered to King Henry VIII in 1537 as part of the Dissolution of Monasteries following Parliament's passing of the Act of Supremacy. At that time the church name was changed to St. Saviour. The name remained until 1905 when the church formally became known as Southwark Cathedral.

The Southwark Cathedral which you see today was mostly constructed during the 13th-15th century and is of classic Gothic design. While improvement works took place during following centuries, the church retained its Gothic style as is evident in the nave, which was restored between 1890-1897 with the intention of replicating the 13th century medieval appearance of the church interior.

Within the church, there are some interesting things to so such as the colourful 15th century monument to poet John Gower, wooden knight effigies with similar appearance to the stone effigies found at the Temple in London. There is a monument to William Shakespeare and a lovely 15th century 'Giant Screen' with numerous carved figures, found in choir past The Crossing, which is also worth viewing. Other monuments, statues and historic items can be seen throughout the nave. Collectively, they make the cathedral a nice place to visit.

Overall, we like the Southwark Cathedral and find it to be a nice place to spend a bit of time at other Southwark area attractions. It is a short work from the Borough Markets, London Bridge and the Sir Francis Drake - 'Golden Hind'. You can sufficiently visit the church in 20-30 minutes or stay much longer if you are interested in what you are seeing.

Hint: Southwark Cathedral has a nice website offering insight into the attractions you can find at the church. Simply visit the Visit Us - Virtual Tour pages on the cathedral website for details on what you...

Southwark Cathedral is a hidden gem tucked right next to the bustling Borough Market, and it’s absolutely worth carving out 30-40 minutes of your day to visit. Unlike the grand scale of Westminster Abbey or St. Paul’s Cathedral, Southwark offers a more intimate, serene experience that feels like stepping back in time.

This small yet stunning cathedral has been a site of worship for over 1,000 years, with its roots tracing back to a priory established in 1106. It’s the oldest Gothic church in London, and the architecture is simply breathtaking—vaulted ceilings, intricate stone carvings, and beautiful stained glass windows. The stained glass, in particular, is a highlight, featuring striking designs that reflect the cathedral’s deep history and spiritual significance.

Literary buffs will appreciate that this was the parish church of William Shakespeare’s brother, Edmund, whose burial site is marked here. There’s even a charming memorial to Shakespeare himself, complete with a quill and a thoughtful pose. It’s a wonderful nod to the cathedral's location in the heart of Bankside, a historical hub for theater and the arts.

Another must-see is the Harvard Chapel, commemorating John Harvard, the founder of Harvard University, who was baptized here in 1607. The small but peaceful space is a tribute to the cathedral’s fascinating ties to both local and international history.

What makes Southwark Cathedral especially delightful is its peacefulness amidst the hustle and bustle of Borough Market. You can enter for free, though donations are welcome, and it provides a perfect escape from the crowded market scene. It’s not overwhelming in size, so you can enjoy it at a relaxed pace, soaking in the atmosphere without feeling rushed.

In short, Southwark Cathedral is a lovely, quiet stop that balances historical richness with spiritual tranquility. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a Shakespeare fan, or simply looking for a beautiful place to reflect, this little cathedral is well worth a visit. And after you’ve had your fill of beauty and history, you can step right back into the foodie wonderland of Borough...

I visited Southwark five years ago and had the honor of meeting Doorkins Magnificat a few months before she 'retired,' and less than a year later she crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I cried when I watched her memorial service on YouTube, and I was eagerly awaiting the appointment of her successor. As it happened, the cathedral worked with a local shelter and in time Hodge duly arrived to take up his post. I made plans for a special (re)visit to the cathedral to try and meet the newcomer, but alas, after several turns of the interior, there was no Hodge to be found. I went back to the entrance to ask the docent about Hodge's whereabouts, and I promptly burst into tears when I explained my pilgrimage and how sorry I was not to meet the new guardian. Maggie came out from behind her desk, enveloped me in a warm hug, then led me to the locked vestry door, where they were preparing for Evensong. To my eternal delight, I did get to meet the new church cat, and I even got to feed him some treats after he'd finished going to the loo. He then wandered out into the garden, where Doorkins is buried. (To my great surprise, there's a semi-feral-but-almost-tame red fox named Richard who also visits the garden area.) Everyone was so very kind to me, it's a memory I will treasure within my heart. My introduction to the philosophy of Southwark Cathedral was that if people could see that a homeless cat had found a place of refuge and welcome, then maybe they could, too. This attitude of welcome and inclusion has stayed with me, and you can certainly bet that did I live in London, I would become a parishioner at this lovely, lovely church. I am so grateful to Maggie and the other kind gentlemen for understanding the importance of my request, and I will do my utmost to pay it forward. A very special place, indeed, and absolutely worthy of a detour (it's right next to Bourough Market and just down the road from the...