Temple Church

★ 4.6 (2,979)$ · Budget-friendly

Consecrated in 1185, Temple Church takes its distinctive circular nave from Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre and was built for the Knights Templar, later serving barristers of the Inner and Middle Temple who still surround it today. Its effigy tombs of medieval knights, tied to the history of the Magna Carta and figures like William Marshal, give reviewers with a 4.6 rating a strong sense of stepping into genuinely old London, tucked away in the quiet legal enclave of Temple. It's a compact but rich stop, well suited to history and architecture fans exploring the Inns of Court on foot.

✨ Reasons to go

1Consecrated in 1185, its round nave was modeled on Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre and built for the Knights Templar.
2The church houses medieval effigy tombs of knights, including figures linked to William Marshal and the history of the Magna Carta.
3It sits within the Inner and Middle Temple, the legal enclave still used by barristers today.

💡 Good to know

1Check opening days in advance, as the church keeps limited public hours around its use by the legal profession
2look for the round nave's knight effigies, the standout historical feature
3combine it with a wander through the surrounding Temple courts and gardens, one of London's quietest historic corners.

⏱️ Typical visit

30 min

🕰️ Best time

morning, lunchtime or afternoon

🚶 Walking intensity

Easy pace

📍

Address

Temple, Temple, London EC4Y 7BB, UK · TempleGoogle Apple

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Booking

Walk-in

What people say

"One of the most beautiful places in London. Every where you look there is a gorgeous view. There is so much history around the Knights Templars and the Magna Carts. It's £5 an adult to enter which can be seen as alot for the amount of time spend there however the money all helps to maintain the churche so I think it's justified. They do have talks on the church which are very informative and the staff are really kind and helpful."

— Siobhan Kay

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