St Mary Aldermary, Gothic church in City of London, United Kingdom.
St Mary Aldermary is a church with Gothic architecture located on Watling Street in the City of London. The building features a distinctive fan-vaulted ceiling, a prominent tower, and Victorian-era furnishings throughout its interior.
The original church dated to the 15th century but was completely rebuilt following the Great Fire of London in 1666. This reconstruction used the same Gothic style, making it unusual among churches built during that period.
The church now hosts two distinct congregations who share the sacred space and contribute different traditions to its character. Visitors can observe how these communities have woven their practices into the fabric of this historic setting.
Visiting is possible on weekdays between 11 AM and 3 PM, and the building has accessible facilities. Bicycle parking is available nearby, making it easy to reach from the surrounding streets.
Inside the church operates a café called Host, run since 2012 by a community initiative. The space merges spiritual and everyday life by offering fair trade products to both visitors and office workers nearby.
Location: City of London
Inception: 1681
Architects: Christopher Wren
Architectural style: Gothic architecture
Address: Watling Street
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 07:30-16:00
Phone: +442072489902
Website: http://stmaryaldermary.co.uk
GPS coordinates: 51.51280,-0.09333
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40
London houses a notable number of unconventional drinking establishments and concealed bars that extend well beyond the ordinary pub experience. In former Underground stations, converted Victorian lavatories and behind unassuming facades, resourceful operators have created spaces that transport visitors to different eras and worlds. These venues often require a degree of discovery: entrances hide behind refrigerator doors, in apparent detective agencies or through small red doors that only the informed notice. The range extends from historic vaulted cellars like Gordon's Wine Bar, which has existed since 1890, to themed concepts such as Cahoots, housed in a disused 1940s Underground shaft. The Attendant uses a former Victorian public toilet as a café, while bars like Evans & Peel Detective Agency guide their guests through a role-playing scenario before granting access to the actual establishment. At higher elevations, Duck & Waffle and the bar at Heron Tower offer views across the city from the 40th floor. Most of these establishments concentrate in neighborhoods such as Soho, Shoreditch and the West End, where traditional pubs sit alongside experimental cocktail bars and specialized coffeehouses.
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