Amid the steel skyscrapers in the City of London, St Dunstan-in-the-East is a tranquil park and powerful reminder of the city’s history. Between the Tower of London and the London Bridge, you’ll find plants climbing stone arches, workers enjoying lunch, and children running through the grass.
From Normans to the Great Fire
The church dates back to Norman times, originally built around 1100. During the Great Fire of London of 1666, it was located just .2 miles from the start of the blaze. The church was damaged, but survived after some patching up.
A few years later in 1701, the famous British architect Sir Christopher Wren added a Gothic steeple. He was known for designing churches around London, especially St. Paul’s Cathedral. By 1817, the church wasn’t structurally sound and the building was taken down and rebuilt by architect David Laing who incorporated Wren’s tower.
Surviving the Blitz
St. Dunstan’s stood strong until World War Two, when it was damaged by German bombs in the Blitz of 1941. Like many buildings in London, the church was reduced to rubble. While only two of the church walls remained, Christopher Wren’s tower and steeple survived. London was rebuilding after the war, but St. Dunstan’s remained in ruins.
A Secret Garden
The Anglican Church chose not to rebuild St. Dunstan’s, but you can still see the scars of the war and admire its more than 900-year-old legacy. In 1967, the ruins were turned into a public garden. After surviving the fire and the blitz, today it’s a peaceful oasis that you can visit for free.
St. Dunstan-in-the-East
London EC3R 5DD
United Kingdom
Sources
- Johnson, Ben. “St. Dunstan in the East Gardens.” Historic UK.
- “St. Dunstan in the East Church Garden.” City of London.
Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
