Landmark
Southwark Cathedral, formally the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, traces its origins to an 11th-century priory and only gained cathedral status in 1905, making it one of London's oldest religious sites despite its relatively recent official title. Its Gothic interior holds a Shakespeare memorial reflecting the playwright's ties to nearby Bankside theatres, and reviewers with a 4.7 rating describe a peaceful, less crowded alternative to the bigger cathedrals across the river. Free to enter and a short walk from Borough Market and London Bridge, it rewards visitors happy to step slightly off the main tourist track.
✨ Reasons to go
💡 Good to know
⏱️ Typical visit
35 min
🕰️ Best time
morning, lunchtime, afternoon or early evening
🚶 Walking intensity
Moderate walking
What people say
"The Southwark Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie. It is located in the Bankside area of London, England, situated on the south bank of the River Thames near London Bridge. It is immediately adjacent to the popular Borough Market. The closest transportation hubs are the London Bridge railway and Tube stations, which are about a 4 / 5 minute walk away. Established on a site with over 1,000 years of Christian worship, but the church was not raised to cathedral status, till the creation of the diocese of Southwark was made in 1905. Between 1106 and 1538, it was the church of an Augustinian priory, dedicated in honour of the Virgin Mary. Following the dissolution of the monasteries, it became a parish church, with a dedication to the Holy Saviour. The church was in the diocese of Winchester earlier till 1877, when the parish of St Saviour's, along with other South London parishes, was transferred to the Diocese of Rochester. The present building retains the basic form of the Gothic structure built between 1220 and 1420, although the nave is a late 19thC reconstruction. The cathedral is now used by London South Bank University for it's 'Annual honorary degree ceremony', by Regent's College for it's 'Graduation ceremonies', and by King's College London for it's 'Medical and dental degree ceremonies'. The cathedral also hosts the London Nautical School's annual Christmas Carol Service. Interesting, historic and a quietly laid back building I must say. Saw it during 2024."
— Neeru Das
