Oldest Cathedrals and Churches in London and the South West

The UK is home to over 40,000 churches and 42 cathedrals, many of which have been sites of worship for centuries. From St Paul’s Cathedral to Sherborne Abbey, London and the South West boast some of the world's best and oldest cathedrals and churches.

These beautiful buildings tell the history of England. Wondering which to visit first? Read everything you need to know about the oldest cathedrals and churches in London and the South West here.

London’s oldest cathedrals and churches

St Paul’s Cathedral

stpauls.co.uk/

St Paul’s Cathedral has stood proudly on Ludgate Hill in the City of London for over 300 years. It’s one of the capital’s most recognisable landmarks and the seat of the Bishop of London. Medieval-influenced Baroque-style architecture impresses, and its famous dome is as spectacular from the inside as from the outside.

The inside is long, narrow and crossed by enough pews to accommodate 3,500 guests. Its walls are adorned with Dean Robert Gregory’s marble sculpted The Crucified Christ and bold new artworks by Victor Ehikhamenor and Yoko Ono.

St Paul’s Cathedral admission fees:

Westminster Abbey

westminster-abbey.org/

While St Paul’s is perhaps the UK’s most recognisable religious building, Westminster Abbey is its most significant. The abbey attracts over one million visitors annually. It’s a royal church (doubly important!) and has hosted royal coronations, weddings, funerals and burials for centuries.

Fans of Gothic architecture will marvel at the church’s grand beauty. Sharp pointed arches and stained-glass windows form intricate geometric shapes. You could stare at it for hours – but you wouldn’t want to miss the wonders inside. Poets’ Corner is a must-visit for literature lovers. Countless famous figures, including William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and Jane Austen, are buried or remembered there.

Westminster Abbey holds daily services, workshops and guided tours, many of which are free with entry.

Westminster Abbey admission fees:

Westminster Cathedral

westminstercathedral.org.uk/

It’s just 400 metres from Westminster Abbey, but Westminster Cathedral stands alone on this list. It’s a different spectacle. Westminster Cathedral is the UK’s largest Catholic church and the seat of the Archbishop of Westminster.

Built from 12.5 million bricks, the cathedral more closely resembles Battersea Power Station than your typical basilica. Inside, black domed ceilings contrast with vibrant murals and mosaics to create a unique atmosphere.

The daily Mass is an unmissable ritual for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The Campanile (the cathedral’s 284ft tower) offers some of the best panoramic views of London, and expert-guided tours tell the cathedral’s rich history.

Price: Free entry

How to get there: From Vauxhall, take the Victoria line to Victoria. Walk 4 minutes to the cathedral.

All Saints Margaret Street

asms.uk/

Walk five minutes from the bustling hubbub of Oxford Street, and you’ll find All Saints Margaret Street. It’s a Gothic revival style church (which means pointed stained-glass window frames and spectacular scale), designed in 1850 by William Butterfield. Every inch is decorated with geometric patterns and painted marble, brick and tile.

The cathedrals and churches on this list are as remarkable for their beautiful architecture as for their spiritual symbolism – and All Saints Margaret Street is the best example of that.

Price: Free entry

How to get there: From London Waterloo, catch the Bakerloo line to Oxford Circus. It’s a 7-minute walk from there.

Southwark Cathedral

cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/

On the south bank of the River Thames, a stone's throw from The Shard, sits Southwark Cathedral. The earliest reference to the cathedral is in the Domesday Book of 1086, and it has welcomed Christian worshippers for over 1,000 years.

Drop by any day of the week to participate in the mid-day Mass or at 18:00 on Sundays to hear the church’s choir sing Evensong and Benediction.

Price: Free entry

How to get there: From London Waterloo, catch the Jubilee line to London Bridge. It’s a 4-minute walk from there to the cathedral.

St Martin-in-the-Fields

stmartin-in-the-fields.org/

St Martin-in-the-Fields got its name because farm fields once surrounded it. It’s a testament to the church’s history that it once stood alone ‘in-the-fields’ in an area where 4 million people now visit annually.

St Martin-in-the-Fields holds regular services alongside choral music and concerts so that you can enjoy renditions of Mozart, Bach and Vivaldi in this historic venue.

Price: Free entry

How to get there: From London Waterloo, take the Northern line to Charing Cross. It’s a 6-minute walk from there.

The South West’s oldest cathedrals and churches

Christchurch Priory

christchurchpriory.org/

It’s been over 1,300 years since the first Saxon church was built on the site of Christchurch Priory, and the town owes its name to the priory (Christ’s Church).

At 311 feet long and 120 feet tall, Christchurch Priory is as big as many of the nation’s cathedrals.

Pop in for morning and evening prayer Monday to Saturday or Sunday for Holy Communion, Eucharist and Choral Evensong.

Price: Free entry

How to get there: Christchurch Priory is a 15-minute walk from Christchurch station. Or catch the 1b bus to Town Centre, then walk five minutes to the priory.

Sherborne Abbey

sherborneabbey.com/

Sherborne Abbey was founded in 705 as a Saxon cathedral. It’s been a parish church since 1539, but many still know it as the ‘cathedral of Dorset’. Its beautiful Gothic-style fan-vaulted roof rivals any artwork.

Discover 13 centuries of history by booking a free guided tour. Tours take place on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 and Friday afternoons at 14:00.

Price: Free entry

How to get there: Sherborne Abbey is a 6-minute walk from Sherborne station.

Salisbury Cathedral

salisburycathedral.org.uk/

The medieval cathedral city of Salisbury is one of the best budget historical staycations in the UK – and it’s no wonder! Salisbury Cathedral features the world’s oldest mechanical clock and Britain’s tallest spire. It also has over 800 years of history, boasting the best-preserved of only four remaining original Magna Carta manuscripts – and it’s on display in the cathedral.

The cathedral holds music and choral events, tours and demonstrations alongside daily services. Entry is free, but tour prices vary.

Salisbury Cathedral tour prices:

Winchester Cathedral

winchester-cathedral.org.uk/

Winchester Cathedral was built between 1079 and 1532. It’s the sixth-largest cathedral in the UK, and its rich history and Gothic architecture attract over 300,000 visitors annually.

It hosts various tours, from Tower tours that take you onto the roof to admire a stunning view of the county to special interest tours in areas like ‘Cathedral Women’. Discover over 1,000 years of history on the Cathedral tour, included with general admission.

Winchester Cathedral admission fees:

How to get there: Winchester Cathedral is a 16-minute walk from Winchester station.

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