St Dunstan in the East Church Garden

★ 4.7 (8,759)Free

St Dunstan in the East was badly damaged in the Blitz, and rather than rebuild it the City of London turned the roofless shell into a public garden in the 1970s, leaving Wren's steeple and window tracery draped in greenery. It's one of the most atmospheric small spaces in the Square Mile, a quiet, almost secret spot that regularly tops lists of London's prettiest hidden corners despite sitting just steps from Monument and the Thames. Squirrels and pigeons treat it as their own, and the play of light through the empty gothic windows makes it a favourite for photographers.

✨ Reasons to go

1Originally built around 1100, the church was rebuilt by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire before being gutted in the Blitz
2The City of London turned the bombed-out shell into a public garden in the 1970s rather than restoring it
3Wren's steeple and gothic window tracery remain standing, now covered in climbing greenery

💡 Good to know

1Free to enter and open daily
2go early morning or lunchtime on a weekday to have the ruins nearly to yourself
3combine with a walk down to the Thames or Tower of London, both a few minutes away.

⏱️ Typical visit

20 min

🕰️ Best time

early morning, morning, lunchtime, afternoon or early evening

🚶 Walking intensity

Easy pace

📍

Address

St Dunstan's Hill, London EC3R 5DD, UKGoogle Apple

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Booking

Walk-in

What people say

"It’s a small place, but very pleasant to just sit and enjoy the flowers. It is excellent if you are looking to unwind, relax, or take a quick break. However, keep in mind that there is no shelter, so if it starts raining, it might not be the best place to be since you can't cover yourself from the weather. Perfect for a clear day!"

— Emmanuel

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