St Pancras Old Church — Attraction in London

This location should be on every London tour guide.

There is a wealth of culture to be explored in a very small area of London, from Pop Culture, Feminism, Architecture, Social Reform, English Literature to Early English History.

Pop Culture, the church doorway and the drinking fountain ( sadly no longer in use) are two of the locations of Don McCullin's photos of The Beatles on what was described as a mad day out. This was to promote The White Album and the single Hey Jude.

Feminism, this was the original location of Mary Wollstonecroft, author of A Vindication of the Rights of Women. Her tomb is located just to the left of the John Soames Mausoleum.

It was here that Mart Shelley (Frankenstein) met Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Architecture: The Soames Mausoleum, designed by Sir John Soames for his wife and later himself, is here. This Mausoleum is also credited as the inspiration for the original Red telephone boxes designed by Gile Gilbert Scott, the son of the architect who designed The Albert Memorial and very much a leader in Gothic Revival.

Social Reform, as you enter the church grounds through the main gates on Pancras Road, there is a truly inspiring sundial, monument erected by Angel Burdett- Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett Couts, a social reformer who aimed to eradicate London's slums.

The Memorial commemorates many foreign dignitaries and aristocrats who were buried in the churchyard. It was one of a few churches who allowed Catholics to be buried in the churchyard.

English Literature, the church is mentioned in Charles Dickins book A Tale of Two Cities and it was also the location of the Thomas Hardy Tree.

Thomas Hardy before becoming a full time writer worked for the architectural firm of Arthur Bromfield.

Sadly the tree has gone. It fell (?) in December 2022 but the multiple gravestones which were relocated here by Thomas Hardy due to the railway can still be viewed.

Finally the site is said to be one of the oldest places in the UK for Christian worship. There are claims to the site being used from the 4th Century AD but the church which we see today was heavily reworked in the Victiorian era.

All this is barely a 5 minute walk from St Pancras International or a similar distance from Coal Drops Yeard. So take a look

#thomashardy #thebeatles #charlesdickens #donmccullin #frankenstein...

It’s a tricky balance to be a functioning church, historical, and with such an unusual graveyard that it attracts tourists. But this church seems to manage it all.

The gardens/graveyard are worthy of a visit in their own right and in the middle sits this seemingly small, unassuming church. Well a beautiful and unusual one, especially for central London - more like a village church vibe.

It’s actually part of a wider group of churches that work together and are quite active in the local community. It’s also well known as a music venue.

It may be somber when you visit but see the clergy dancing down the front with the congregation to get a sense of the life that inhabits this sacred space.

You can see some evidence of this in the pictures on the posterboards as you come in - but I know it’s true directly from having worked on a previous iteration of their combined website.

When you walk in, there are displays on the left with a wooden spiral staircase heading up the tower. More info and a few items to purchase are on the other side. There was also quite a lot of beer the day we visited - presumably a party is planned!

Going into the church, it’s quiet and prayerful with candles. The sun motif above the altar strikes as unusual. A mini chapel to the right adds to the solemnity.

Take a look around as everything has a ‘been here for a while’ quality feel. The wooden bell-like structure over the font; the surprise that a small church has a full organ over the entrance lobby; and how comparatively big it feels inside.

We only popped in for 10 minutes, the kids took a seat and wondered about the prayer cushions and decor. It’s definitely worth a look in, or at least through the glass doors. The attending volunteer was really helpful...

If you stand between Kings Cross and St Pancras Stations and look north along Pancras Road, the view is very 21st Century. Modern, shiny and new. Even the old buildings have been polished bright. If you follow the road the shine disappears along with the noise of Central London. Ten Minutes walk and under the railway bridge you'll pass the St Pancras Old Church Yard. Watch you don't miss it, hidden behind a wall and up some stairs.

You might be changing trains or stepping out of the office for lunch. You might just be in the area and looking for a moments peace. Whatever your reason, it's worth taking the walk to this remarkable place. Well shaded by the trees on a sunny day, you can almost forget that your close to the centre of London. Trains to the Midlands, the South Ease and The Continent pass by just a few feet away, but you just don't notice them,.

A place to sit and relax, you'll find yourself fascinated by it's history. One of the most imposing sights as you walk through is the Tomb of Sir John Soane. If you think there is something familiar about it, there is. It inspired Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in his design of the Iconic red telephone boxes. The Churchyard has connections as varied as The Beatles, New Jersey (USA) and Mar Shelleyy

You might spot a whole bunch of grave stones piled up around a tree, This is because they were excavated and moved when the railway was built. The tree is known as the Hardy tree after of the young man who was in charge of the excavation. Thomas Hardy, known best for his novels and poems. Not surprising then this really is a place to get 'Far from the...