GreaterLondonCITYOFLONDONStMartinLudgate(itsnogameCC-BY-2.0)1 ItsNoGame

St Martin within Ludgate

One of the most striking aspects about St Martin within Ludgate exterior is its tall, sharp leaded spire, which when seen from the lower part of Fleet Street, is a deliberate foil to the massive rounded dome of St Paul's Cathedral.

City of London, Greater London

Opening times

Church open Monday to Thursday 11am to 3pm.
Church watchers are in on Friday 11am to 2.30pm.

Address

Ludgate Hill
City of London
Greater London
EC4M 7DE

No doubt Wren planned this dramatic effect when he reconstructed the previous medieval church, destroyed by the Great Fire, between 1677 and 1684.

Notable woodwork includes the original reredos, communion table, communion rails and pulpit. There are also bread shelves, on which wealthier worshippers would place bread for the poor of the parish to collect.

The simplicity of the interior with its vibrant stained-glass windows and impressive organ comes to life when the large central brass chandelier is lit with real candles. This signature piece was brought from St Vincent Cathedral in the West Indies in 1777.

The font under the organ gallery is inscribed with a Greek palindrome: NIYON ANOMHMA MH MONAN OYIN ('cleanse my sin not only my face').

The building sustained the least damage of all City churches during World War II.

There is a 360 tour of the church

  • Social heritage stories

  • National heritage here

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Captivating architecture

  • Steps to enter the church or churchyard

  • Non-accessible toilets in church

  • Café within 500m

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Accessible toilets in church

  • Church of England

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Andrew by the Wardrobe

City of London, Greater London

St Andrew by the Wardrobe was the last city church rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.

St Paul's Cathedral

City of London, Greater London

For more than 1,400 years, a cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood at the highest point in the city.

St Bride

City of London, Greater London

St Bride's is warm and welcoming, and one of the most famous and most fascinating historic churches in central London, it is known worldwide as the Journalists church, offering a spiritual home to all who work in the media.