Image credit: Ethan Doyle White / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 2018-10-12 ↗
Temple Church
Temple · Trafalgar Square → Strand → Somerset House → Temple · Medieval church / Knights Templar / legal London
Story
Few buildings explain a London place-name as clearly as this one explains “Temple”. The church was built by the Knights Templar, and its extraordinary Round Church was consecrated in 1185, inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The rectangular chancel was added in the thirteenth century. As you explore it, you are walking through a fragment of medieval London that has survived centuries of transformation, although substantial restoration was required after severe Second World War damage. Inside, the circular plan completely changes the experience of a conventional English church. Look for the medieval knightly effigies lying on the floor and notice how the Round connects with the later choir. Temple Church also became intertwined with the history of Magna Carta and, later, with the two Inns of Court that grew around it, forming the heart of London's legal life.
What to look for
Look for the unusual 1185 Round Church and its circular proportions. Seek out the medieval knightly effigies lying on the floor and the transition point into the later, rectangular thirteenth-century chancel.
Secret detail
The church's circular plan itself connects you directly with Jerusalem: the Knights Templar conceived it in relation to the form and symbolism of the Holy Sepulchre in the Holy Land.
Where exactly
The main Temple Church building. At weekends or after certain hours, pedestrian access to the Temple estate may be via Tudor Street only; follow the estate’s current access instructions.
Orientation
Facing the building; use the pedestrian entrance to the Temple estate permitted that day.
Why it matters
This church is a rare and significant remnant of medieval London, revealing the profound influence of the Knights Templar. Its unique architecture and history make it a key site for understanding the city's development and the origins of its legal tradition.
Access & opening
Usually Mon–Fri around 10:00–16:00, but calendar has frequent exceptions. Closed for sightseeing today, 22 Aug 2026.
Current sightseeing £5; £3 concessions; children free
We never show live status. Check opening hours before you go.
Accessibility
Check current church/estate route and access information.