London Sights

Temple Church

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Temple Church Review

As featured in The Da Vinci Code (both book and film), this church was built by the Knights Templar in the late 12th century. The Red Knights held their secret initiation rites in the crypt here. Having started poor, holy, and dedicated to the protection of pilgrims, they grew rich from showers of royal gifts until, in the 14th century, they were charged with heresy, blasphemy, and sodomy, thrown into the Tower, and stripped of their wealth. So it goes. Featuring a rare, circular nave, the church isn't quite as thickly atmospheric as you might expect—largely due to the efforts of Victorian and postwar restorers. That said, it remains a fine Gothic-Romanesque church.

    Contact Information

  • Address: King's Bench Walk, The Temple, Bloomsbury, London, EC4Y 7BB | Map It
  • Phone: 020/7353-8559
  • Cost: £5
  • Hours: Check website for details
  • Website:
  • Tube: Temple.
  • Location: Bloomsbury and Holborn

Fodorite Reviews

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    So-so church with limited hours

    The round end to the nave is unusual, and there are some interesting carvings and effigies as well as some decent and very modernist stained glass. Found it to be of lesser interest than some other second-level churches. Church has very limited hours and didn't open on time either.

    by bachslunch, 4/6/08

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