History — Outstanding Attractions — Quick Facts

Situated on the South Bank of the River Thames very close to London Bridge, Southwark Cathedral, in spite of its long history, is London's unknown cathedral.

History

The first building thought to have occupied the site of the present Cathedral Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie was a Roman villa. Small parts of the villa's mosaic floor may be seen in the North and South Choir Aisles. 25 years ago, a well was discovered underneath the choir in which a statue of a Roman god was discovered. A replica may also be seen in the South Choir Aisle.

Legend has it that the first church was build on the spot in the 7th century. The church was rebuilt in the 9th century by the Bishop of Winchester in whose diocese it fell. There had been a convent attached but the Bishop replaced it with a monastery.

Both were again rebuilt in the 12th century by two Norman knights, William Pont de l'Arche and William Dauncey. The church was served by the Regular Canons of St Augustine whose duties included minstering to the sick. They built the first St Thomas's Hospital, now located by Westminster Bridge.

The 12th century building was destroyed by fire in the early 13th century. A new St Mary Overie Church was started and built in the Gothic style, making it the oldest Gothic church in London.

During Queen Mary's reign (older sister of Elizabeth I), a trial of seven martyrs took place in the retro-choir in front of the Bishop who condemned them to death. In the following years, parts of the church deteriorated as did the monastery. In the early 17th century the local parishioners bought it and a new tower was built, completed in 1689.

When a new cathedral was needed for South London at the end of the 19th century, this church was chosen. To better fit its new role, the nave was demolished and rebuilt.

Outstanding Attractions

• The South Aisle of the Nave contains some 13th century arcading.
• The Marchioness Memorial stands nearby. This is to commemorate the 1989 Marchioness disaster when a pleasure boat of that name sank with the loss of 50 lives after colliding with a barge.
• In the North Aisle of the Nave two Norman doorways can be seen, all that survive from the 12th century church destroyed by fire.
• Also in the North Aisle, you can see the splendid medieval canopied tomb of the first English poet, John Gower who died in 1408.
• The Nave contains a number of memorials. They include one to Wenceslas Hollar who engraved one of the most famous 17th century views of London. There is another to Shakespeare whose Globe theatre was nearby. This memorial takes the form of a window and statue of the playwright. Sam Wanamaker was the driving force behind the rebuilding of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and a memorial to him, fittingly, stands in the Cathedral.
• The Retro-Choir is a beautiful example of Early English Gothic and well worth visiting.
• The Visitor Centre and Exhibition was built as part of a Millennium package and incorporates up to date multimedia to learn about Southwark and its cathedral. It includes panoramic views of London from the cameras on the tower and recorded camera obscura scenes.

Quick Facts

Location: Montague Close at the southern end of London Bridge

Transport Links: London Bridge Underground station on the Northern Line
London Bridge mainline station

Admission Charges to Visitor Centre: Adults: £3
Concessions (Senior Citizens & Students): £2.50
Children (Aged 5-15 inclusive): £1.50
Family ticket (5 people, min. 2 children) (Includes Audio Tour of Cathedral): £12.50

Opening hours of the Visitor Centre: 7 days a week, 10am to 6pm (last admission: 5.30pm)
Sundays: 11am to 5pm (last admission 4.30pm)

History — Outstanding Attractions — Quick Facts

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Copyright © 2002 Carol Fisher. All Rights Reserved
Picture copyright © 2002 Carol Fisher. All Rights Reserved

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