Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: church (31) Hardy (9) Pancras (8) London (7) small (6) churchyard (6)
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  • 5/5 Helen M. 3 years ago on Google • 15 reviews
    Visited St Pancras old church Jan 2020 When we learned of the Hardy Tree's existence we just had to find it and we did. The bonus was discovering this lovely little church just up the road away from the hustle and bustle of St. Pancras station. The Hardy Tree is well worth a look. The tree has indeed grown around all the gravestones and although fenced off there is ample opportunity for some great photographs. The little church is a work in progress and volunteers help maintain its pristine look. It's quite sparse inside with no great trappings of visible wealth but the simplistic decor only adds to the tranquil ambience and it was nice just to relax there for a short time. Well worth a visit and The Hardy Tree is the icing on the the cake
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris G. 1 year ago on Google • 988 reviews
    Nice quiet church with a leafy church yard and lots of benches to sit. Some historic tombs here and the hardy tree is worth a look.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ian B. 5 months ago on Google • 84 reviews
    This location should be on every London tour guide. There is a wealth of culture to be explored in a very small area of London, from Pop Culture, Feminism, Architecture, Social Reform, English Literature to Early English History. Pop Culture, the church doorway and the drinking fountain ( sadly no longer in use) are two of the locations of Don McCullin's photos of The Beatles on what was described as a mad day out. This was to promote The White Album and the single Hey Jude. Feminism, this was the original location of Mary Wollstonecroft, author of A Vindication of the Rights of Women. Her tomb is located just to the left of the John Soames Mausoleum. It was here that Mart Shelley (Frankenstein) met Percy Bysshe Shelley. Architecture: The Soames Mausoleum, designed by Sir John Soames for his wife and later himself, is here. This Mausoleum is also credited as the inspiration for the original Red telephone boxes designed by Gile Gilbert Scott, the son of the architect who designed The Albert Memorial and very much a leader in Gothic Revival. Social Reform, as you enter the church grounds through the main gates on Pancras Road, there is a truly inspiring sundial, monument erected by Angel Burdett- Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett Couts, a social reformer who aimed to eradicate London's slums. The Memorial commemorates many foreign dignitaries and aristocrats who were buried in the churchyard. It was one of a few churches who allowed Catholics to be buried in the churchyard. English Literature, the church is mentioned in Charles Dickins book A Tale of Two Cities and it was also the location of the Thomas Hardy Tree. Thomas Hardy before becoming a full time writer worked for the architectural firm of Arthur Bromfield. Sadly the tree has gone. It fell (?) in December 2022 but the multiple gravestones which were relocated here by Thomas Hardy due to the railway can still be viewed. Finally the site is said to be one of the oldest places in the UK for Christian worship. There are claims to the site being used from the 4th Century AD but the church which we see today was heavily reworked in the Victiorian era. All this is barely a 5 minute walk from St Pancras International or a similar distance from Coal Drops Yeard. So take a look #thomashardy #thebeatles #charlesdickens #donmccullin #frankenstein #sirjohnsoames
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Irena S. 4 years ago on Google • 985 reviews
    Such a brilliant venue for intimate gigs. Great acoustics. Dimmed lights. Gorgeous décor & architecture inside and outside. Fantastic atmosphere… left this place feeling very happy 😊 Loved a wonder around the church yard before the gig. A true gem at the heart of the city.

  • 5/5 Andrea G. 2 years ago on Google
    St Pancras Old Church is unique small church offer peaceful moments in busy and hectic London. If near by King's Cross visit this peaceful oasis and lift you spirits. ⛪🌳🌲🌱🌷
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Emanuele P. 2 years ago on Google
    This Churchyard is very relaxing to be in, even if just for 10 minutes. I would say Heavenly Peace. So such an escape from traffic and crowd. Also a very historical spot that brings you back in time. I thoroughly enjoy all the times and strongly recommend
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nick G. 1 year ago on Google • 195 reviews
    It’s a tricky balance to be a functioning church, historical, and with such an unusual graveyard that it attracts tourists. But this church seems to manage it all. The gardens/graveyard are worthy of a visit in their own right and in the middle sits this seemingly small, unassuming church. Well a beautiful and unusual one, especially for central London - more like a village church vibe. It’s actually part of a wider group of churches that work together and are quite active in the local community. It’s also well known as a music venue. It may be somber when you visit but see the clergy dancing down the front with the congregation to get a sense of the life that inhabits this sacred space. You can see some evidence of this in the pictures on the posterboards as you come in - but I know it’s true directly from having worked on a previous iteration of their combined website. When you walk in, there are displays on the left with a wooden spiral staircase heading up the tower. More info and a few items to purchase are on the other side. There was also quite a lot of beer the day we visited - presumably a party is planned! Going into the church, it’s quiet and prayerful with candles. The sun motif above the altar strikes as unusual. A mini chapel to the right adds to the solemnity. Take a look around as everything has a ‘been here for a while’ quality feel. The wooden bell-like structure over the font; the surprise that a small church has a full organ over the entrance lobby; and how comparatively big it feels inside. We only popped in for 10 minutes, the kids took a seat and wondered about the prayer cushions and decor. It’s definitely worth a look in, or at least through the glass doors. The attending volunteer was really helpful and kind too.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jay T. 11 months ago on Google • 423 reviews
    St Pancras Old Church is a Grade I listed parish church in Somers Town, Central London. It is dedicated to the Roman martyr Saint Pancras, and is believed by many to be one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in England. The church was originally built in the 12th century, but was largely rebuilt in the Victorian era. The churchyard is the largest green space in the locality, and was restored in the first few years of the 21st century. The graveyard served not only as a burial place for the parishioners but also for Roman Catholics from all around London. They included many French refugees (émigrés), especially priests, who had fled the Revolution, one of them the spy Chevalier d'Éon. Notable people buried in the churchyard include the notorious colonial administrator Joseph Wall who was executed for cruelty in 1802. The church is open to the public and is a popular tourist destination. It is also used for a variety of events, including concerts, weddings, and funerals.

  • 5/5 James S. 6 months ago on Google • 45 reviews
    Went to a concert in the evening here and what a great little venue it was. Intimate setting for a small concert. We could purchase some drinks refreshments and there was a toilet in the building and one provided outside but I did not see this one.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David S. 9 months ago on Google • 15 reviews
    Beautiful churchyard. Spent thirty minutes walking around and admiring the beauty. Very nice to find a bench commemorating the famous Beatles’ photo session from July 1968.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nigel B. 3 years ago on Google
    Historic and atmospheric church and churchyard and just a stone's throw from the new Kings Cross and St Pancreas developments. The soon to be completed level access entrance will make it more welcoming still.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michele W. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful Church, So friendly and welcoming to everyone. My family have links to this church going back over 150 years. Although we no longer live close by we still try and attend whenever we can.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Malcolm B. 1 year ago on Google
    Yesterday attended lael reale concert American female music artist. Impressive live. The venue old st Pancras church I was seated on wooden chair the crowd around 100 people a enjoyable evening really good music and the church character a good match last night was my first visit there
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mohit A. 2 years ago on Google • 30 reviews
    A really calm and peaceful place with greenery all around. The church is small, but very beautiful and quiet. One can hear the chirping of birds inside from the courtyard.

  • 5/5 Richard H. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful old church minutes from Coal Drops Yard yet very peaceful. Interior is well worth looking at too. Also services are held every day if that's for you. Sir John Soan's tomb and the Hardy Tree are the highlights of the graveyard.

  • 5/5 Urban A. 2 years ago on Google
    Had the enormous privilege of photographing David Lance Callaghan and The Primitives playing acoustic sets in the Church, fabulous place.

  • 5/5 Oo L. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice old little church. Just walked around it and heard its bells. Quiet and relaxing environment.

  • 5/5 Jon P. 2 years ago on Google
    Very pretty church with a lovely Romanesque dogtooth arch over the west door.

  • 4/5 Miss J. 1 year ago on Google
    Although the Hardy Tree has fallen, the headstones and tree can still be seen. Beautiful church.

  • 5/5 Heather 1 year ago on Google
    This church is simply divine. It's one of the oldest places of Christian worship in Europe. There is alot of history here and in the grade 2 listed grounds. Do tour research before you go. Less than a 5 minute walk from St pancras international. Gardens are well kept and the atmosphere is quiet and calm.

  • 5/5 Raj K. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the best music venues in London, plus it’s a church 😀

  • 5/5 Dave T. 2 years ago on Google
    On top of the Beatles history, a lot of cool history. Stop and see The Thomas Hardy tree. Wild. Surrounded by tombstones.

  • 5/5 Szn L. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful place for a calm stroll. Not too crowded. I hope it stays this way. I went on a stormy-sunny day and it was amazing.

  • 4/5 T C. 11 months ago on Google
    Not religious myself, but still removed my hat before entering. Peaceful and quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of outside.

  • 5/5 Peter M. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful escape to a beautiful ancient oasis far from the railway hubbub.

  • 5/5 Gordon D. 2 years ago on Google
    Went on the Historic tour around the grounds of this delightful Church.

  • 5/5 Maggy Van A. 3 months ago on Google • 13 reviews New
    Sadly beautiful. Kinda heartbreaking to see such a beautiful place in ruins

  • 4/5 SHAKYA B. 2 years ago on Google
    It is very calm, picturesque, serene and tidy place for relaxing and walking. The tombs and tablets also depict interesting historied related to the place.


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Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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