Reviews of St Martin-in-the-Fields. (Church) in London (London).
St Martin-in-the-Fields
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ, United Kingdom
Description
Information of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Church in London (London)
On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.
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Map
Open hours of St Martin-in-the-Fields
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Reviews of St Martin-in-the-Fields
w. t.
Gorgeous classical styled church featuring fantastic small concerts n charity events. Been there couple of times for wonderful experience. Beautiful gift shop. It’s located just next to
Trafalgar Square or National Art Gallery. This area makes it easy for people or visitors to come n enjoy the atmospheric views around.
S. S.
Beautiful architecture, well maintained building located neighbouring Trafalgar Square. Delicious hot food at reasonable prices. The structure of church hall is well suited to play/enjoy classical music. This place is an asset to the London city-centre.
S. C.
Squidged into the northern corner of Trafalgar Square, with a compromised view of the magnificent frontage, and dominated by the bulk of the National Gallery. This is nonetheless one of the great renaissance churches of London.
I’ve been fortunate enough to attend two concerts here, both were wonderful musical experiences - the Requiems by Fauré and Mozart.
The Crypt is the setting for a decent cafe with a cloister vibe.
D. J. M. L.
Gorgeous building with lovely decor and marvellous acoustics if you can join for a service or for a concert you will enjoy the live music! I tad cold in winter
s. y.
We have attended Vivaldi's violin concert. The atmosphere was great. Definitely recommend.
A. W.
We met some friends here for hot chocolate and cake. These items were on par, not the best I've had but still very tasty. The atmosphere was fairly unique and a good way to get out of the hustle and bustle of central London. The price reflected the location, but went to a good cause. Overall, I'd return here if I were in the area.
r. l.
Great cafe in the crypt. Lovely coffee. Well worth popping in.
M. D.
If only bricks could talk. This towering edifice would have lots to say, seeing as it does, all the going on in the square opposite. Calm and chaos so closely bound.
D. W.
Beautiful place to chill a d have a chat.
The food is average but who cares when you are sitting surrounded by history.
R. N.
Large church on Trafalgar Square, London. Great acoustics for carols and a beautiful building
J. J.
Such a cool place. The cafe they have down in the crypts is well worth the visit. Everything is delicious and the staff friendly. Have never once been disappointed eating here.
C. C.
I love this cafe, a bit of peace in a busy area. The only criticism is I would avoid the coffee, absolutely awful taste. I went back to ask for another cup to replace what i had as i thought i was unlucky but sadly not. I think they need to change their brand
B. F.
Beautiful, awe inspiring building. Very atmospheric. Crypt cafe gorgeous with great choice of food and drink. Will return as often as I can.
J. M.
Nice church in Trafalgar Square, Christmas carols in Christmas. Nice cafetería in the crypt
M. H.
We went to the Vivaldi candlelight concert and have to say the experience was amazing and because it it is quite a small event it felt very personal and i would highly recommend going. The staff especially in the Crypt were fantastic and not just helpful but super friendly. A perfect evening and already looking at going again. Thanks so much.
K. P.
One of the most beautiful churches I've ever been in . Seen a few classical concerts here and they are simply amazing . The acoustics are a sound engineers dream . If you can go downstairs to the crypt ( if it's open ) go . Well worth a look .
n. p.
I loved the Warped windows!
The cafe at the basement is also worth checking out
N. O.
It was so lovely to be able to enjoy a sublime musical experience here again. St Martin's is literally the best church in London if not the world! I'm so pleased the cafe is open again, and hopefully they will soon be serving their full range of delicious food again. Their hot puddings with custard are definitely the best desserts in central London.
One of the things I love most is the contrast between the space outside the church and inside. Especially on a Friday night with the screams of inebriated folks and the merry sirens of the police folk in juxtaposition with the professional musicians inside.
D. L.
Beautiful church in the heart of London with great classical concerts.
G. A.
If you go there for a concert, you won't see anything unless seated in the front row, so any ticket will do. This is a church and not a concert hall, with all the limitation of this.
S. M.
This beautiful church is a real gem and I love the feeling I get when I walk in from busy Trafalgar Square..... just absolute peace! Downstairs (in the crypt) is a great stop for lunch, with lots of seating and a good choice of hot/cold food and drinks, all reasonably priced (for London) they also have an interesting gift shop with a great selection of gifts to choose from.
N. B.
I went to one of the Bach Christmas Oratorio by candlelight and it was absolutely beautiful to see the church lit up on this way. What a wonderful atmosphere and such talented singers. I couldn't take any photos during the concert, obviously, but I took a few just after. Such a beautiful place, will definitely go back for one of the lunchtime concerts.
The gift shop in the crypt downstairs is great as well- picked up a great book- definitely one to check out.
J. M.
Had enjoyed their output on YouTube over Christmas so had to visit whilst in London. Not often we hear a minister talking about "scary stuff". ✝️
A. G.
The seating is hard Woden pews. Everything else is excellent. The restraunt bin the crypt is amazing value considering it is by Trafalgar Square
T. L. T.
Beautiful church, totally breathtaking.
In their crypt is a cafe and the tables are in top of gravestone, I take a dim view of that. I think that's disrespectful. That people are constantly walking across the stones and tables on top with people eating and being loud. Those stones are no different to any others.
R. D. W.
Loved! I attended a candlelit concert on a Friday night after dinner in the crypt. The concert was great, highly recommend! The cafe in the crypt is cool to checkout whether you eat there, or not. The food was good and reasonably priced. You can grab a pint before the show and/or during intermission. It's essentially a cafeteria, so if you're looking for a fancier meal, this isn't it.
S. B.
A surprising find from a building you walk past every time you visit Trafalgar Square. An amazing building in itself with great use of its historic catacombs, now a quality cafe and music venue. Definitely worth a visit both historically or for a rest and rehydration stop.
G. L.
Cafe in Crypt now open. Unfortunately food menu now has less variety, but still very good quality and competitively priced. Good coffee. Friendly staff.
m.
This church is probably best known for it's prominent location in London situated right across from Trafalgar Square and the National Portrait Gallery as well has being only 10 minutes walk from Leicester Square. It's supposed to be the parish church of the royal family, making it another draw.
There's a lot of history related to the church dating all the way back to Roman times, so it's worth taking the guided tour. The cafe is also interesting, as it's location in the church crypt.
I especially liked the clear glass window with it's peculiarly shaped mullions behind the alter.
C. S.
Incredible place. So much to see and do. Restaurant/cafe there too. Didn't eat but wasn't really anything vegan-friendly. Main hall is beautiful and sounds great.
S. T.
Listened to Handle’s Messiah there. The church is on Trafalgar Square, in the heart of London. Apparently lots of American churches are designed based on this one. Autistics were great. Down in the crypt there is a cool cafe.
A. H.
I've seen it so many times when going through Trafalgar Square but had never ventured inside. It's a lovely calming church despite being in such a busy location. Very pretty ceiling! Will definitely visit again to explore further and perhaps enjoy a lunchtime concert
P. D.
Beautiful airy church upstairs, cozy cafe in the basement. They have a large gift shop with British themed gifts, a holiday shop, and a few religious items. The cafe and gift shop support the ministry of the church. It was a wonderful stop.
B. P.
Visited the cafe downstairs for dinner and it was hugely disappointing, food was cold by the time I'd paid for it and tasted dreadful, no service with a smile. Been many times as it supports the homeless but won't be going back.
N. C.
Quiet hideaway from the bustle of the city and a really interesting unique space. Limited but generous value for money menu and good coffee. We will be returning ☕😃👍
B.
St. Martin in the field is one of the first places we think of when considering chamber ensembles in London.
This is an important historic building and landmark in the city and a world famous venue for classical concerts. The church is also well located at Trafalgar Square, a place most visitors will eventually find themselves at some point in their visit to London.
These days you can reserve tickets to performances online or you can simply visit their box office at the church itself. Concerts are not expensive and usually run no more than an hour and a half. If you visit during lunch, you can even sit in on free lunchtime concerts (Last time we visited, suggested donation was £3.50 per person).
If you are around London during early December, you can catch the St. Martin choir leading Christmas carols at the first lighting of the tree in Trafalgar Square. This is always a nice activity to see and participate in. It really sets the mood for the rest of the month to be a jolly and festive time.
In the end, we highly recommend visits to the famous St. Martin in the Field church when spending time at Trafalgar Square and encourage those interested in chamber music to consider attending a concert here during their trip to London.
O. “. d. t. S.
I went to a candlelit concert where my friend was playing violin. The atmosphere was wonderful & the music was sublime.
If you get a chance to visit here i'd highly recommend it.
I. K.
Had two catch up sessions with friends in the cafe. Amazing chicken and ham pie! Best I've had in ages. Staff friendly and ambience was good.
A. M.
Warm, friendly church. Good to find hot dishes again available in the restaurant (Café in the Crypt), which are delicious and excellent value.
M. O.
Great value, great service, very average bagel. The bun didn't taste fresh. Either toast and prep them to order or change suppliers.
b. s.
Wonderful evening of music and atmosphere although a small can of larger was a little bit expensive.
A.
Beautiful Roman Catholic church built in 1722. A neoclassic design. It sits alongside the famous landmarks of Trafalgar Square. Get there at the right time. It offers a quiet refuge from the outside mania of the square.
a. o.
If you ever need a hot meal or coffee I really would recommend this place it's called the cript for them in wheelchairs there's a lift reasonably cheap food
B. C. E.
This place has existed for as long as it has for more that a few reasons. One specifically is the amazing sound of instruments and voice in this venue. If not for the architecture or the ambiance visit for this.
g. t.
A tremendous venue & charity. Visit the cafe in the cryot for a selection of food, & drinks. Great coffee & indulged in a fruity red wine.
J.
Excellent church, great clergy and warm congregation. They do amazing things for the people of this city. Go visit them!
S. L.
The church is stunning and the musical concerts are transcendent. Made my trip to London so much meaningful.
Т. А.
Amazing place! If you would like to listen classic, jazz&bluz. You should go to The Cript. Every day there is a new event associated to music.
F. H.
Lovely, unusual space to have lunch. However it was very busy and crowded. Given current circumstances it did not feel safe, which was a shame
S. R.
Beautiful church. Saw the free lunch concert and was amazed. They had a beautiful boy quoir perform. Great acoustics and plenty of seating.
X. L.
Concerts here are very nice, though a lot of cheap seats are with very limited to no sight of the performance. Acoustic effect is very good for chamber music. If you get a chance to go see the performance here by London Concertante. They are brilliant!
A. M.
A great atmosphere, music was divine. A great cluster of decent people at the event. Staft at ST -in-the field, friendly and helpful.
D. L.
We went for an evening concert. It's an easy venue to find being in Trafalgar Square and has good acoustics.
M. E.
Always a lovely experience, lucked out with a piano concert while visiting. A must stop every time I'm in London. Be sure to head to the crypt to make your own brass rubbing as a souvenir.
P. W.
One of the best venues in London if you like jazz, sacred or classical music and appreciate rich acoustics.
Ticket prices are much less than you would expect, generally between £9 and £26 and most of the time you can still buy them hours before the event. Also, there are a number of events every month which are completely free!
St Martin-in-the-Fields is at Trafalgar Square, only a 5 min walk from Leicester Square Station and also features a spacious cafe (Cafe in the Crypt - great food) and a shop.
Surprise yourself and visit this lovely 18th century church for a perfect city break and an unforgettable musical experience. Highly recommended!
A. “. H.
Lovely coffee shop. Beneath a beautiful church above. Great bit of history in the heart of London. Very interesting flag stones in the café beneath. Gonna hazard a guess and say that the late Andries Baron was perhaps in a naughtical trade. Wealth consolidation. Something like that. 🏴☠️
S. A.
You will love this café in such an original setting under the church. Great cakes, better to come 5-6 pm for cake and coffee
p.
At Vivaldi's Candlelit Concert but it's irritating having people wandering in when the concert has already started. People just stroll in at any point and it distracts from the performance....
M. M.
A very well know landmark. The interior of the church is quite plain "no stained glass windows" but nice chandeliers.
The crypt is very nice serving salads and good hot meals, also has free WC's.
St Martin's offers free concerts at 1.00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with paid concerts in the evenings. There is a separate small Chapel on the site.
T. S.
Beautiful Church. Great concertplace. Big restaurant in the basement. Does a lot for the homeless
B. T.
Beautiful old historic church adjacent to Trafalgar Square in London. If you're visiting in London this is one of the must see places.
W. P.
I'm not religious, but this is a beautiful Church and a great place to get away from the madness of the square. At 16:30 on Sunday the choir practices, which is incredible to hear in the stunning acoustics of the church. At 17:00 the evensong service starts which is also amazing to see and hear.
n. c.
Visited for a bite to eat having used this place a couple of years ago
How disappointing. Small jacket spud with enough grated cheese for a baby.over priced and not good especially as I had raved about the place to our friends
D.
Beautiful building and the afternoon concerts are simply divine. I can't think of anything better than sitting there and listening the wonderful performances and letting them transcend over me. Thank you for a lovely time and brilliant concert!
V. S.
I visited for tha Pearlie Kings and Queens Harvest Festival annual service .The church had great acoustics.The windows ,The crypt and the gallery were beautiful .Would like to visit again when no service to appreciate the design and all its features.
R. R.
Great sweet potato and parsnip soup. Bread tending to stale. £6...but is this place not run for charity?
M. R.
Lovely church. Very welcoming both inside and out. Fantastic concert and very reasonable price.
R. H.
Brilliant stop for a warm drink during our stroll around London before going to the theatre, friendly staff with a very warm welcome
D.
It is a beautiful church. I couldn’t see any religious paintings or even a cross but probably didn’t look in detail however the beauty of this church is the architecture of the building; even the ceilings and windows are just beautiful.
Next visit will be one of the great concerts they normally have here.
M. S.
Love coming here for the lunch time concerts. There is a lovely restaurant and shop down below and of course the location is ideal for visits to Trafalgar Sq and the National Art Gallery
M. D.
Went to the crypt cafe. Nice facilities and coffee is not cheap. Profits go to charity.
a. m.
Visited this church for the Christmas Eucharist. A beautiful service led by a thoughtful, caring and well spoken minister. Shame to see this place was not packed to the rafters on such a special day. Never the less a highlight of Christmas in London.
T. W.
I liked this church. It was early in the morning when we visited, and two gentlemen were sleeping on the benches. They were snoring SO loudly and it was very funny.
P. K. J.
Regardless of your religions lunchtime and evening concerts are a good deal for music lovers. The church itself is also really beautiful.
J. P.
Moving commemoration service on 4th November for people who've died on London's streets while homeless. Welcoming people and environment
J. W.
Lovely concert venue. Check out the excellent restaurant and gift shop downstairs. Good upgrade of church property, well thought out interiors. Will come again!
A. D.
Amazing setting for Jazz and food. Unique and independent philanthropic business serving fairly priced food. It is slightly unsettling that you're walking over gravestone slabs though it oddly adds to the charm of the place.
The shop is well worth a visit on your way in or out!
M. K.
Everything about St Martin in the Fields is iconic. The crypt with a rich spread of food, magic interior and candle like lighting. The reception, the box office and the shop are all a nice hide on a rainy day when in busy Trafalgar Square. Then, more importantly is the Church upstairs. Bright. Contemporary. Spacious. On top of all this, there are the daily classical concerts. They are never a miss and I have been to many. Carefully selected, they shall please the ears of classical music lover and sooth their souls.
d. b.
We had coffee, usually this is underground but currently the normal restaurant is closed and we had to go to the courtyard which was lovely but a christening party had just arrived meaning it was busy and the party weren't distancing at all. The staff were efficient and the coffee lovely.
M. W.
Often go here for the music in the crypt. Saw the Mississippi Swamp Dogs last week who were excellent. Great venue to meet up and listen to some good music. Food & drink a bit pricey. But a terrific night out.
N. K.
We visited classical music concerts which were great, during the day there are free concerts, so please look on site for the dates
K. K.
Under the S. Martin is a crypto Cafe.
H. W.
Very nice lunch stop in the crypt; good selection and good food. This is a smart choice if you are hungry and near Trafalgar.
G. C.
Always a calming and reasonably quiet place to go for food and a sit down with a cup of tea.
S. V.
Paid £13 for the ticket. The concert was pretty nice but it wasn't worth the money. I got a really bad seat and I couldn't see 80% of the Orchestra because of an column. The first violinist messed up her solo at Vivaldi's summer. If you want to experience a high quality Orchestra you should go to the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Y. Y.
Went for classical concerts there several times! Nice atmosphere in the century-old church:)
l. k.
The cafe in the cript is a very unique place,the food is really good.The concerts in the church in candle light are definetly worth experiencing
a. b.
Good restaurant, listened to free rehearsal of classical music in church.
M. C.
We hired the crypt cafe for an event just before it fully opened to the public an interesting place but the WiFi is poor.
A. H.
I was there for a Missing People Charity evening, celebrating their 25yr anniversary and the ongoing support of missing people and their families. Beautiful venue, warm even in the winter and staff were delightful
N. L.
Beautiful architecture. On a sunny day it is a picture perfect. Located, good for kids. Still on lockdown, so just visiting the outside. Worth doing the Church Tour. Recommended
P. V.
It is always fantastic to attend these concerts. Although prices are high.
p.
Always plenty going on in the church, courtyard and crypt.
M. E. V.
Amazing acustic and really well performed concert. A bit concerned because several people weren't wearing mask,even when at the ticket they ask you to use it.
D. E.
I stop by every time I'm in town. In the summer they offer music and below ground i
t.
What a great and grand experience both just looking at the church aswell as seeing performances which took place here.
Elegant atmosphere and a fun time.
N. C.
Delicious old fashioned school dinner meals, set in a beautiful place.highly recommended.
A. T.
Excellent classical music evenings Good value for money
j. b.
This innovative Neoclassical church completed in 1726 an important precursor and exemplar for church design.
Grade I Listed, defined by a subdued and largely unadorned interior and stuccoed ornamental panelled ceiling
Busy cafe and shop in the vaulted crypt.
Unaffected, confident and compelling.
D. O.
A great place for a quiet coffee, such a shame it's not so busy due to Covid.
J. S.
There is a beautiful window, find it & it’s part london’s treasure hunt item
T. C.
Beautiful church, wonderful singing. Really enjoyed the carol service
S. M.
Saw Handels messiah , absolutely brilliant. The church is an awesome place to go to worship in. The crypt cafe is a good place to enjoy a meal or coffee, tea etc.
A. S.
Always a fun place to be, brass-rubbing or not...
C. i.
Great food in the crypt cafe at a reasonable price. Can be very busy.
S. L.
Located on Trafalgar Sq. this church is somewhat overshadowed by the National Gallery however its uniqueness should not be overlooked. The Academy of St Martin in the Fields founded by Sir Neville Marriner is a leading English chamber orchestra and the church hosts regular performances featuring Bach, Vivaldi, etc. The warped window (a fairly recent addition) is quite an eye-opener.
C. M.
Great concert, drinks and food at The Crypt below. Very central
M.
Nice place to visit if in the area. They advertise concerts which spiked our interest. Would like to go back and explore it some more, including the downstairs which we didn't have time to see, and perhaps see one of the concerts.
B. K.
Started my TaiChi exercise there on Friday.
There are some very friendly and helpful people e.g. the stomach circling part.I didn't do it correctly☺ and help was given.
B. M.
Beautiful old church and the service was lovely. The Christmas music was professionally done.
D. A.
Had a great time listening to a rendition of Vivaldi 's Four Seasons.
H. C.
My first visit to the crypt restaurant, lovely food
H. P.
A fabulous escape from the mayhem of Trafalgar Square albeit it's no longer a secret cafe.
Great food and fantastic selection of cakes.....can never tire of this place
N. C.
Attended Choral Evensong and it was magnificent; three small choirs were brought together and the sound gave me goosebumps. Well worth attending for 45mins of calm.
J. L.
Beautiful architecture enhanced by dimmed lights and candles. Attended Vivaldi by candle light. Featured Brandenburg Sinfonia. Programme featured music by Purcell, Handel, Telemann and Vivaldi. Amazing musicians complemented by the excellent accoustics of the church.
A. L.
A beautiful church with lovely concerts and modern values. Worth a stop by in the afternoon especially when a choir or orchestra is practising in the church
h. r.
Great music and easily accessible venue. The orchestra was superb.
A. K.
There are so many reasons to visit St Martin-in-the-Fields, especially so the free concerts held in the afternoons but when you’re around, have a look for St Martin’s Window which is a unique window into an already impressive building.
R. B.
Homelessness is such a difficult issue, and more than ever, these days, its very easy to tumble into the chaos of losing your home. In these difficult days it effects so many of us, who, for all sorts of reasons, have found themselves in an ocean of troubles. With the loss of a home, its easy to lose your dignity, your hope, your confidence, after all you have lost everything else.Sometimes in our winters city, its necessary to reflect on our own good fortune, however perhaps sometimes, it is unsettling to put our fingers into the wounds of others and spare a thought for the sadness of the human condition...the people who have lost there way, lost there home, lost everything. Here they do that everyday. ST MARTINS is a beacon in the darkness for so many...concerts and tea shops...Coffee and post cards helps to pay towards the Vicars fund to help the homeless. And St Martins is about that, simple kindness...hidden amongst the pillars and stones...
S.
Beautiful church, lots to do with brass rubbings, shop, cafe
M. W.
Wonderful location and room. Good value and excellent cause.
a. m.
Amazing church and incredable cafe good food and good surroundings.
L. C.
Beautiful church with a lot of history. Well worth the stop. And don't forget to visit The Crypt below for lunch, dinner or dessert. The food is very good and the prices are very reasonable. Whatever food is not sold for the day is put out for the homeless at night. They give them a place to shower and sleep over night.
S. A.
Great intimate acoustic classical concert venue. Superb programmes. Hard benches so reccomend reserving a cushion!
G. D.
Gorgeous classically styled church featuring fantastic small concerts. Wonderful experience. Hope I can return!
M. C.
Beautiful,sat in the Church for a few minutes, remembering people we had lost.💔
F. L.
Looks nice. Haven't been in. Send like to church o. Lol
a. m.
Visited this church for the Christmas Eucharist. A beautiful service led by a thoughtful, caring and well spoken minister. Shame to see this place was not packed to the rafters on such a special day. Never the less a highlight of Christmas in London.
A. D.
Amazing setting for Jazz and food. Unique and independent philanthropic business serving fairly priced food. It is slightly unsettling that you're walking over gravestone slabs though it oddly adds to the charm of the place.
The shop is well worth a visit on your way in or out!
A. M.
A lovely Church.. a very good experience.. very welcoming people.. extremely divine..enjoyed
l. k.
The cafe in the cript is a very unique place,the food is really good.The concerts in the church in candle light are definetly worth experiencing
L. J.
Lovely place, always
J. S.
Love this place. Such a fabulous venue, and love Café in the Crypt too.
d. d. l.
Great concert this morning! I really enjoyed!
S. C.
Lovely cafe in the crypt
B. K.
Started my TaiChi exercise there on Friday.
There are some very friendly and helpful people e.g. the stomach circling part.I didn't do it correctly☺ and help was given.
M. W.
Often go here for the music in the crypt. Saw the Mississippi Swamp Dogs last week who were excellent. Great venue to meet up and listen to some good music. Food & drink a bit pricey. But a terrific night out.
L. T.
Didn't go in the church only the crypt. Great cake selection, amazing setting. Lots of space. Coffee and drinks are very poor and the staff are less than enthusiastic about their jobs. I'd say get in some people who are interested in what they are doing and give them some decent barista and service training. With this done this place could be a highlight of London.
K. H.
Beautiful church which often holds musical recitals so you can go along and experience that even if you're not a regular church-goer. There's the Cafe in the Crypt, which is wonderful, and they've added a gift shop which is also pretty excellent. All told, you could spend a good few hours here before you got bored.
C. G.
Wonderful church in the heart of London which I have frequently visited. More important then ever in these troubled compl times irrespective of faith. Music delightful.
Restaurants needs to lower prices on coffee/tea and cake to encourage locals.
Shop is a bit too touristic for most people and a limited range of other items yet, it has the space to expand to sell a wider variety of items which includes a all year round celebration section which is is lacking nearby.
C. D.
A pretty good concert venue. Sound quality in the middle is amazing. Food in the food court is pretty good, while being reasonable value.
I would suggest that if going to any form of gig here that you hire a cushion though as otherwise you will be sitting on a hard bench for the whole of the performance.
The staff are all friendly and helpful. The toilets are kept clean.
The building is pretty nice as well.
M. P.
Fantastic venue to perform in - Lovely model D Steinway
D. F.
Each time I’m in London, I stop in St. Martin in the Fields in the heart of the city to sit and listen to the beautiful music being rehearsed, admire the beauty of this exquisite church, descend to the historic crypt, visit the elaborate gift shop, and then enjoy a delicious cup of coffee and breakfast in the cafe. A trip to London would not be complete without a stop for spiritual growth at my favorite landmark.
R. M.
Amazing place close to Trafalgar sq. to have lunch or try tea time. You can reach the restaurant through two different places; one of them is a lift. The restaurant is settled under the church and you can taste an amount of different British dishes. All of them are really tasty. Don’t forget to go there in the tea time to share a good moment. Good balance between quality and price.
V. “. O.
A lovely and peaceful old church in the heart of busy London. Outside worship times, it plays host to numerous classical concerts throughout the year in the main auditorium as well as jazz and live music in the Crypt during late spring. (PS: There's a cafe serving hot food and a gift shop down there too!)
t.
Stunning Church which has been restored and done to a beautiful standard. We stumbled upon a rehearsal for one of the church's many regular classical performances and were extremely impressed by the quality of the acoustics. The interior has been finished with reverence to its original condition and has probably not looked so clean externally since pre-industrial London. Well worth the visit, and make a donation whilst you're there whatever it may be, to keep it open to the public.
N. S.
I've come to St. Martin in the Fields 3 times in the last year for classical music concerts and it's been stunning each time. Amazing acoustics and good seating. The building is beautiful inside and just adds to the quality of the experience. The acoustics and quality of the performances are the main reason why you should go. Handel's Messiah or any of the candlelight performances are breathtaking. Go!
S. M.
Saw Handels messiah , absolutely brilliant. The church is an awesome place to go to worship in. The crypt cafe is a good place to enjoy a meal or coffee, tea etc.
É. F.
Awesome and the crypt cafe is also recommended.
D. M.
Three back to back Christmas Concerts...a fabulous night in! Best value ever and a real treat to be able to watch again. Thank you all who made it happen...I know where I’ll be giving this Christmas!
M. V.
Lovely place, centrally located
R. B.
Homelessness is such a difficult issue, and more than ever, these days, its very easy to tumble into the chaos of losing your home. In these difficult days it effects so many of us, who, for all sorts of reasons, have found themselves in an …
D. A. (.
When going through a rough patch in my life I asked for help at this church and a man called Ben who is about to become a priest at some point directed me towards The Connection charity and I just want to say thanks for this as they ve been really helpful!
V. P.
I always have my lunch here when in Central London
M. F.
Good conference venue in the crypt
S. V.
Paid £13 for the ticket. The concert was pretty nice but it wasn't worth the money. I got a really bad seat and I couldn't see 80% of the Orchestra because of an column. The first violinist messed up her solo at Vivaldi's summer. If you want to experience a high quality Orchestra you should go to the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
S. L.
Located on Trafalgar Sq. this church is somewhat overshadowed by the National Gallery however its uniqueness should not be overlooked. The Academy of St Martin in the Fields founded by Sir Neville Marriner is a leading English chamber …
N. K.
Unbelievable art display and a beautiful shop and cafe. Must see.
L. L.
Delicious food and quick service. There is a good variety of hot and cold dishes, excellent wine and it is a very interesting place to eat! It also has a great shop just outside the cafe selling wonderful souvenirs as well as religious objects and Christmas decorations.
A. M.
A lovely Church.. a very good experience.. very welcoming people.. extremely divine..enjoyed
h. d.
What better way to spend a lunch hour than coffee and a pastry in the Café in the Crypt followed by a free concert in the church? Actually a string ensemble practising for an evening concert but terrific anyway, especially to see how the musical director gets the right tone. We marvelled at the ceiling and chandeliers while the music danced around the pews. Marvellous.
H. T.
What a great peformance loved Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight
C. M.
At. Martin's in the Field is an Iconic church located on Trafalgar Square.
It is worth a visit for the architecture but there are also frequent free lunchtime concerts which are also very worth while.
On this occasion I was meeting up with friends for lunch in the Crypt which was very good.
The Crypt tends to get busy and the service counter can be a little on the slow side but the food is pretty good and is a reasonable price.
The atmosphere in the Crypt is also great
Well worth a visit, even just for a quick coffee
C. W.
Loved this place! Beautiful architecture both externally and internally. Great meaning in the building and sense of history. We enjoyed the most pleasing and well priced food and drinks in the crypt below. Access can be had by lift I seem to recall, if it is needed. Public transport goes past the door.
j. f.
Attended concert which was brilliant. Well organised (but definitely go for the optional cushion - pews are hard after a while!). The redtaurant in the crypt is excellent and serves a range of tasty dishes and snacks but does get busy. Also has a shop too.This church does much to help homeless people and its profits go largely to that cause.
M. P.
The Church has a nice crypt cafe with a decent range of food at reasonable prices. As it is self service you can in and out of there quickly. The concert in the evening by candles in the Church is great.
T. W.
A beautiful Church that has meant a lot to me over the years and I still can rarely ever pass it without stepping inside to pay my respects. It has stunning ornate features and the peaceful tone of the services inside make you feel much closer to the Lord. Thank you for providing the community with peace and love for so many years.
J. L.
Lovely lunchtime concert. Crypt is a good place for a snack or lunch
G. M.
This review is for the St Martin-in-the-Fields cafeteria.
Very busy for Saturday lunchtime, with a great selection of dishes from roast beef/pork, fish & chips, salad, sandwiches and lots more.
Quick service and very friendly staff.
Iced water is free and very refreshing during London's hot weather.
Reasonable prices.
A. P.
Wonderful venue and first rate recitals. One of the best for free lunchtime concerts. All donations go to the upkeep of this beautiful church and London's homeless. Treat yourself and unwind. You won't regret it. Alex Pearl, author of 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds'
R. M.
Lovely church, the cafe is simple yet beautiful in the austere way or old sturdy buildings. The chapel is absolutely lovely in gold and white and the acoustics are wonderful (enjoyed a classical concert here).
M. B.
A really nice place to visit if you're looking for a nice evening out with your wife/girlfriend. They have regular concerts of classical favourites by Mozart, Handel, Bach etc. Be careful buying too cheap tickets upstairs as you will not be able to see the orchestra and the viewing in the venue is restricted by pillars in general. Buy wisely by viewing the seating plan and reading up about it first. It is best to sit downstairs either facing the orchestra or on the first side boxes opposite. These are quite cheap and worth it as our are close up. But in front is best overall, despite the price.
D. L.
The church does great work in the community as well as providing concerts of popular accessible classical music in beautiful surroundings. The cafe serves wholesome food at very reasonable prices.
E. D.
What a treat this little place was. They have probably my favorite gift shop that wasn’t at a tourist destination (down the stairs in the crypt), and little cafe and a beautiful sanctuary. If you have a chance, try to catch one f their choral or orchestral shows...you will NOT be disappointed! It was one of my favorite things we did in London.
D. B.
Best place to spend pre Christmas and their Carol service
T. D.
The vault used to be one of the area's best kept secrets but it's not a secret any more and a lot of the time it is hard to find space. But you see why people go in such numbers, you can get a wide range of food from snacks to full meals, alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks including some good value wines, and there are clean and functional loos. I do wonder how many of the visitors realise there is a church upstairs: if you are based in London it's worth checking out their concert programme.
J. H.
What a wonderful venue! Having been a long-time follower of the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, this was my first visit to this hallowed place. The acoustics here are superb and the architecture is the best of high baroque in its understated English style.
The beautifully vaulted crypt café is huge and the self-service is efficient, even when extremely busy, with a reasonable choice of food and drink available.
Altogether a happy experience and one I wouldn't hesitate to repeat on future visits to London.
C. R.
Beautiful architecture. Look through the memorials and grave stones and remember to visit the crypt where you can find a hot meal or take tea. Make a donation in the washroom..open to everyone but you'll help pay for the soap and toilet tissue. Check the schedule for musical performances staged in the church. This is a lively spot on the edge of Trafalgar Square.
J. M.
A most inspiring church which I love to visit
S. R.
This is a truly marvelous church. Every interaction I have had with everyone from St Martin's has been an absolute pleasure. From the church office admin, to the clergy and events team they are professional, super efficient and beyond helpful. I can not Tacoma this place enough. For worship, arts and crafts, food, events and amazing concerts I love love love St Martin-in-the-Fields! It is my haven, with lots of versatile spaces that all exude peace.
By the way they show love, you can definitely tell this church is a blessed sanctuary.
A. a. C. V.
The Cafe in the crypt is a wonderful place to meet friends and catch up, have a cup of coffee and perhaps have lunch. The Church is a great place to pray midweek with friends as well. I have been coming here for about 12 years just to that with two freinds from college.
D. S.
Brilliant music and venue but please be aware the huge columns of the interior and block the view of the stage...these columns are not on seating plan.
4/5 performance
3/5 for misleading us... We would have paid more to see the performance and not just hear it.
R. M.
Such a cool location.. actually in the old crypt.. decided to have the "English afternoon tea" which was mostly good but the savoury food was a little dry. A great location and great concept.. just needs a little more love on the food front. Coffee was good.
D. C.
We went here 4 years ago as a result of long almost-lost memories from architectural history class. We stopped in London for a day and this was one of the 3 or 4 must-see places we went back to. My favorite place in London. We always time it to take in one of the music presentations, and generally plan a meal in the Crypt, under the church which has surprisingly good food and atmosphere. Right next to Trafalgar square.
K. H.
Only visited the cafe in the crypt. Large seating area so good for bigger groups and if with children( there's brass rubbing best by too so good for keeping kiddos busy).
Only given 3 stars as cakes were not as good as they looked, nor were there a lot to choose from.
I would still come back, if I'm with kiddos and bigger group, but not otherwise.
H. A. A.
Great place for casual affordable classical music concerts with decent acoustics and interesting reception area (a crypt!). Came here to see a concert by the Trafalgar Sinfonia bringing works by various composers ranging from Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, to Rutter. The candlelit atmosphere provided a sense of calm.
J. B.
Really beautiful church and concert.
D.
Great location in heart of the West End. Good Crypt cafe and Services here are often thought provoking.
Architecturally speaking it feels natural to admire the neoclassical proportions and formal reverence of the James Gibbs design from 1722 when it was rebuilt and enlarged. However apparently at the time it was quite surprising and set a trend, inspiring the look for other places of worship across the world.
J. L.
St Martin-in-the-Fields is a stunning church in the heart of London. It hosts concerts daily. As a choral music venue, the acoustics are really great. The only thing to be aware of is that it can be quite uncomfortable sitting on church pews for a long concert. I would recommend renting a cushion for £1 when you buy your tickets.
D. P.
Very good coffee. Unique ambience
E. W.
Wonderful experience at the concert! Beautiful church
S. K.
Cafe in the Crypt. Lovely environment, buzzy atmosphere. A great place for a coffee or lunch. Food is delicious with generous portions at a very reasonable price for central London. Always our first choice if we're in that part of town
S. S.
Wonderful.
The cafe was cafeteria style which I wasn't expecting but the food was very good. The homemade chocolate mousse is literally amazing.
Everywhere was clean and obviously the surroundings were stunning.
I like that proceeds go to the less fortunate.
S. T.
Lovely cafe downstairs of a church, always come in the afternoon for lunch with the kids. Space is great and is so convenience for parents who have kids especially with pushchair. It is really hard to find restaurant in central London that is big enough for pushchair and doesn't mind children. The food selection isnt huge, but is good enough. If you are looking for a more romantic place or really special food then no.
We came again on Wednesday evening a few days ago for a Jazz music night. That was very nice and enjoyable. The music was amazing ! For couple who enjoy Jazz and wanted a not too formal night out, this is the place and it was great!
S. K.
We booked a candle light concert at St. Martin-In-the-Fields before we left for the USA. It was just glorious! The voices were like angels!
There is a restaurant below for a bite to eat before the concert or at intermission to have a beverage.
We also rented a cushion for £1 and it was definitely worth it.
D. A. (.
When going through a rough patch in my life I asked for help at this church and a man called Ben who is about to become a priest at some point directed me towards The Connection charity and I just want to say thanks for this as they ve been really helpful!
H. J.
A lovely, little church with free, midday concerts of classical musicians who come through and a wonderful free trade shop in the basement, which also has an eatery. You can also do brass rubbings in the basement which is a great way to pick up a marvelous souvenir. It's easily located at Trafalgar Square and worth it to pop in and visit.
N. S.
I've come to St. Martin in the Fields 3 times in the last year for classical music concerts and it's been stunning each time. Amazing acoustics and good seating. The building is beautiful inside and just adds to the quality of the …
J. O.
Pretty, historically significant, candlelight concert is nice
S. H.
Surprisingly good food. The brass rubbings are fun.
J.
Went to see Vivaldi and the four seasons here. Such a beautiful setting with wonderful music.
S. P.
Visited St Martin for an event not for regular services. It is a lovely church well-tuned to events. Good views forwards from most pews and good acoustics for a church. Beautiful decoration.
Underneath is the Crypt Cafe which serves drinks snacks and good hot food but finding a table is a matter of luck. There is a gift shop outside the cafe.
A. M.
Nice coffee. Great surroundings
D. G.
Amazing place, the classical music by candlelight is magical!
J. D.
Beautiful church, great cafe and shop. Really nice place to visit.
C. L.
Lovely setting, would love to visit when there is something happening. We just had a drink and cake. Good prices. We visited early morning though just after opening. Can imagine it having a good atmosphere when entertainment is on
S. R.
This is a truly marvelous church. Every interaction I have had with everyone from St Martin's has been an absolute pleasure. From the church office admin, to the clergy and events team they are professional, super efficient and beyond …
J. P.
Beautiful setting for new years eve choir. The amazing Bromley Boy Singers shone like stars and sang like angels in this glorious church. The cafe downstairs was surprisingly lovely and huge! I'd definitely return for a proper meal sometime rather than the coffee and snacks I bought this time round.
M. M.
At a candlelight concert given by the Belmont Ensemble. Conductor Peter G Dyson, Piano Sam Heywood. It was a Christmas present. Hugely enjoyable. The highlight was Mozart piano concerto No 12 in A. Really fizzed. The mice seemed to be loving it too.
G. M.
Beautiful historic church in Trafalgar Square, with restaurant in the crypt. Runs interesting musical events alongside usual church activities. Worth a visit if you're nearby. The cafe is large, lacks atmosphere and is a bit expensive.
D. M.
Three back to back Christmas Concerts...a fabulous night in! Best value ever and a real treat to be able to watch again. Thank you all who made it happen...I know where I’ll be giving this Christmas!
P.
This is a much visited church which has a lot going on. It has a huge crypt with a large and busy restaurant. There are many concerts put on during the year, which are of a very high standard. The accoustic in this building is particularly fine.
M. R.
Very creative concept. The church itself is common except for its pipe organ. Before you enter the church, you can see a staircase leading to a crypt downstairs, where there is a cafe and gift shop. The gift shop has interesting books. Don’t miss the cafe downstairs. (January 2018)
翟.
My church so always appreciated it.
A. W.
Stunning church, both times i've popped in musicians have been rehearsing and it was beautiful. It's a very welcoming church and not intimidating to come into. We had coffees in the Crypt which was a super cool space.
B. T.
Beautiful church, pews were extremely uncomfortable. Bring a cushion!
J. A.
This is a hidden gem but seek it out on the edge of Trafalgar Square. It's a glass box with a lift and staircase down to the crypt. Tasty and modern food on offer the enjoyment of which is not diminished by the limited range. Check out the gift store that's down there, a real delight.
M. P.
Lovely place for a nice cup of coffee and a piece of cake. Enough space for a large group. I recomend to go around the back where there is a little art exhibition and most of the time empty tables, ideally if you want to avoid the food smell and the noise.
J.
Went to see Vivaldi and the four seasons here. Such a beautiful setting with wonderful music.
K. L.
The St Martin-in-the-Fields is an Anglican church located at Trafalgar Square. I got there by getting off at Charing Cross Station and then walking about 100 metres north-west.
The church has appeared in many films and TV programs such as Notting Hill and Sherlock. The interior is absolutely magnificent in its neoclassical style. The acoustics of the church are fantastic and it's no wonder that the church is often chosen to hosts concerts.
G. J.
Neo-classical with spire, grade 1 listed Anglican church next to Trafalgar Square. There has been a church on the site since Medieval times. Impressive interior with interesting windows. It has regular concerts and recitals. Under the church is the vaulted Crypt which serves hot and cold food.
B. T.
Special place to eat, underneath a church. It was nice, but if you are more than 4 people, it is best to make a reservation. The fact that 1 person takes up a table of 4 doesn't make it easier. Still worth the experience.
J. R.
Beautiful church where we watched a live lunch hour concert.
The restaurant/cafeteria is the basement (the Crypt) serves good food at reasonable prices.
M. O. L.
Iconic Wren church on Trafalgar Square. Well known classical concert venue and active church serving the city community. Excellent, reasonably priced, café/restaurant in basement. Refreshing change from 'chain fast food' in central London, but probably similar in price. Lift access from street level to crypt. Large seating area, self service type restaurant.
e. h.
My favourite place. Beautiful Church I go to listen to classic music there on rehearsal days midweek. Concerts in the evening by candlelight acoustics amazing.
C. B.
is an English Anglican church at the north-east corner of Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, London. It is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. There has been a church on the site since at least the medieval period. It was at that time located in the farmlands and fields beyond the London wall, when it was awarded to Westminster Abbey for oversight.
V. C.
Friendly comfortable and a good choice of food
C. d. M.
Visited Martin in the Fields on many a occasions! Do visit to hear the musical ensemble practicing!
B. R.
Wonderful ancient Church that has musical recitals & rehearsals for all to step inside & enjoy. Is a brass-rubbing centre. Has a great shop downstairs and cafe/restaurant in the Crypt where they serve great food & beverages. You can dine while reading the tombstones below your feet! In the entrance to the Church is a beautiful sculpture in stone of the newly born Christchild.
In good weather one can dine at the Al Fresco cafe outside.
P. R.
Lunchtime concerts are always a treat and great to see a church wanting to be the centre of their community (tho I'm not religious). Concerts are free but collection at the end to support local homeless population
S. G.
I like going here for a coffee and danish pastry. The prices aren't silly and profits go towards the outreach work with homeless and other's in their time of need.
The cafe is in the crypt with its distinctive architecture and atmosphere.
Upstairs the main church interior is architecturally engaging and its a good place to stop and pray, or practice mindfulness - which is pretty handy smack bang in one of the buzziest (sic) parts if London.
Downstairs is a hand tourist information and bookings desk with London momentos retail and a book shop
R. A.
A beautiful church that holds regular choral and other events, the staff/volunteers are friendly. I totally enjoyed the choral choir, a beautifully amazing experience. I look forward to visiting again soon.
N. N.
Lovely old church, known for its concerts and busy cafe/restaurant called "the Crypt". The outside steps are nice to picnic on and give a great view of Trafalgar square.
E. M.
The church itself is very nice and historic. Free entrance right off of Trafalgar Square. My only complaint was the woman working the ticket booth downstairs near the cafe was very rude when I asked her how to get to the church. Like I bothered her for asking.
f. s.
Great concert and lovely atmosphere
T. B.
My first and best memory of London. The day I landed a girl handed me a pamphlet advertising Mozart's Requiem played at the St. Martin church by candlelight that very evening, and tickets were surprisingly cheap. The concert was beautiful. I walked to my hotel thinking this was the greatest country in the world! The church as a whole is worth visiting, and don't forget to go down to the basement to visit the boutique and café.
M. P.
Vivaldi Four seasons by candlelight was fantastic. First experience of live classical music was awesome can't wait to book more. Church acoustic was really good, friendly atmosphere and a beautiful building. I will be coming back very very soon.
E. B.
Hard seats and a bit difficult to see performs. Lovely building though.
F. K.
Amazing
Peaceful place
Brilliant concerts
B. P.
A great place to go to see a classical concert. They stage concerts by candle light. You can have a bite to eat before the concert downstairs in the crypt. A very enjoyable experience.
C. O.
Beautiful Neoclassical church built by James Gibbs 1722 - 1726 - famous for its work with young & homeless people. Good shop & cafe in crypt. This is the parish church of the Royal Family. I used to meet all my blind dates on the steps here...
r.
It's a beautiful place and the concerts that are presented there are amazing.
R. P.
Went for Christmas concert. Excellent choir. Particularly liked the brass band. Well organised. Nice cafe in crypt. Good gift shop.
L. D.
Look what concerts are on from Vivaldi to carols by candlelight. The music is usually sublime and the acoustics are perfect. Underneath, in the crypt there is an excellent restaurant and shop. The church runs a soup kitchen and always provides a Christmas lunch for homeless people so is a good place to support.
M. H.
Had lunch here was impressed with the food tea and a sandwiches. Good polite service, table clean and tidy as where the ladies toilets.
Visit the gift shop brought some unusual cards and Christmas presents.
M. M.
Had the pleasure of hosting an event here recently. So had the opportunity to visit this venue several times over the past few months and this church and the crypt is truly amazing. The cafe is great. Check out concerts as well. Well worth a visit.
M. G.
I warched a concert there. The acoustics are not amazing but good enough. Also the atmosphere is magical and really helps immerse yourself in the music. The crypt and cafes below are also a treat to visit.
Z. W.
Reasonable place to stop for a quick evening meal. Lovely vegetables pity they were on the cold side. The fish was cold and overcooked and dry. Pity. It could have been a lovely meal.
V. P.
I always have my lunch here when in Central London
R. N.
Open air concerts behind the church are lovely!
f. t.
Beautiful little church. Visited in past as tourist and was very nice in heart of Trafalgar Square. Visited again recently for a violin 4 season concert classic and it was an outstanding venue with candles.
d. d. l.
Great concert this morning! I really enjoyed!
P. T. P.
Historic church with regular classical concerts and a nice cafe in the cript. Local area a bit busy with tourists and a shame that you get a few stinking down at heel scrotes hanging about attracted by the near by hostel.
R. B. -. E. k.
One of London's outstanding churches.
Many events going on here and it is a very active part of the community in Central London.
Recitals, and many other lunch time events which make life so interesting in London.
We are so lucky in London to have Churches like this where we can go and have a quiet time, and reflect upon life if we so wish.
J. S.
Unmissable. It's a piece of Heaven located in London's heart. Go at 1 pm and you"ll be able to listen to a delightful piece of classical músic. In the evening and in the crypt it's worthy as well. Don't miss out.
A. C.
Beautiful cathedral very close to Trafalgar Square at the National portrait gallery. Here to see one of the lovely evening concerts that they do in the crypt. Another one in Londons grandiose buildings and it is great!
R. K.
Arriving in London on a Sunday in a steady rain, we still tromped out from our hotel on that wet afternoon to participate in an evensong service at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. The service was moving, and beautiful. Though it was too late on a Sunday for us, the crypt below functions as a cafe, an interesting setting.
B. S.
If you are in London and want to hear some beautiful music, check out the concerts at this church. We love the small groups playing classic Haydn, Mozart, and other great composers.
D. R.
Loved, loved, loved the Bach and Vivaldi concert last Friday night! Entirely fabulous. Palm Sunday service was special, w a live donkey and a re-inactment of Jesus' last days on Earth. Also has a great gift shop downstairs!
N. O.
This is such an atmospheric place. I love to go here for a glass of wine or beer and soak in the grand architecture. The Apple crumble and custard was awesome when I tried it and the cake portions are huge.
A. B.
Fantastic setting for meals and drinks in an event setting in the Crypt. Renowned for attracting all kinds of concerts, jazz etc. Only downside is that some staff are very surly.
N. R.
Elegant church right in the heart of London, conducting regular religious services, organ recitals and talks. Has a restaurant, gift shop and activity centre in the brick-vaulted crypt below the church. A welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Trafalgar Square!
E. M.
The cafe in the crypt is my fav place to eat in London. It is centrally located. Great food. Amazing atmosphere. Free toilets. And don't miss the apple crumble with custard.
R. F.
Foods are okay esp "Chicken, leek and mushroom vol au vent". Price is a bit expensive.
C. C.
I LOVE this Place. For all of you reading about SMITF (St Martin in the Fields) for the first time, it's a wonderful, old very historical church on Trafalgar Square that has made itself a patron of music through the ages and a refuge for the common man (woman or children). It has free concerts at noon for aspiring artists who are generally world class as well as the regular performances in the evenings that showcase a tremendous range of world class performers and groups at very reasonable prices. For more info, just Google SMITF and get the whole package and history including links to the SMITF website.
But the most important point I'd like to highlight is the Crypt! They serve food there, cafeteria style with monster generous portions, with tremendous variety of hot/cold fresh prepared as well as pre-prepared takeaway - at the BEST PRICES AVAILABLE ANYWHERE IN LONDON - bar none. The Crypt is HUGE, comfortable seating and despite it's crick construction it's not terribly noisy even when crowded. Fantastic place to bring your kids as there is plenty of variety to satisfy the pickiest eater and it's a space where typical kid behaviour is not an issue, and in a safe place where they can't get into trouble. And if you have the time and inclination, you can also do some chalk rubbings of the brass plaques removed from the crypt and church floors - historical activity suitable for adults but also one the kids love as well.
And the restrooms are the best around in both layout, design and maintenance - and they are FREE.
And to top it all off, it is accessible to any handicap device as well as any size baby buggy - they have an enormous elevator next to the church (northern side) that serves the Crypt exclusively.
Without doubt a doubt, this can be your home base for exploring London as well a favorite go to for those of us that are in the area often. And to top it all off, you help a worthy establishment and charity with your patronage. It's a win - win situation.
SMITF gets my very top review and recommendation for all places London. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
G. D.
Went down into the crypt which has a lovely warm atmosphere and a great eatery which displays a good range of cuisines . Live music is put on and I picked Jazz night which made it an electric atmosphere .
É. F.
Awesome and the crypt cafe is also recommended.
P. B.
This is a beautiful place right in the heart of London. The crypt is one of the most fascinating places to take a break with good food and drink and a unique atmosphere too.
s. h.
While visiting London from Canada, nothing put me in the Christmas season like the Carols by Candlelight at St Martin
D. E. P.
Very beautiful church, we were there for a bit during some choir repetitions - make sure you get to go to one of their concerts, they must sound extraordinary!
j. w.
We visited the Crypt cafe. Great place to meet friends in the area. The size practically guarantees you will get a seat if waiting for other members of your party travelling from different places.
J. D.
Beautiful church, great cafe and shop. Really nice place to visit.
L. C.
Beautiful church, warm welcome. Wonderful cafe in the crypt. An absolute oasis of calm in one of the busiest areas of the city
B. W.
Very pleasant dinner cafe experience. Reasonably priced and good portion of traditional English fish and chips with mushy peas. If you are around the area, you won't regret giving this place a try.
M. S.
Have lived in London for 8 years now, and have seen St Martin-in-the-Fields just so many times, yet never went inside till about a month ago. The cafe in the crypt is really good - even if for the novelty factor. It is quite spacious and have nice cakes on the menu (as well as more filling food items). If you want to get away from the buzz of central London for a few minutes, go to the cafe here to sit, relax and have a cuppa.
C. D.
Great cafe in the crypt, good food! Warm atmosphere, friendly staff. Also a really good gift shop, not to mention a lovely church!
A. A.
Amazing venue for classical music. One of our favourite in London. Acoustics to die for. Go for quality of repertoire, high standard and atmosphere. Really one of the best in the capital.
P. L.
The cafe in the crypt is wonderful- good and imaginative food, reasonable prices. It gets very busy so finding a table can be difficult. It is worth being patient though.
P. M.
A gem of a church just opposite Trafalgar Square.
In the crypt centre gentle shopping and an ideal place to rest and have a snack and drink in the cafe.
Freshly cooked meals as well.
F. W.
Great music but after £30 for ticket rip off to pay ticket booking charge of £2.50 and another £1 fir a prigramme that cost 1p oe less to print then another £1 if you want a cushion. So i repeat....rip off
J. W.
The crypt cafe is a surprisingly quiet place to grab a coffee after work in an area groaning with tourists. The home made donuts are pretty good, I look forward to trying the rest of their cakes...
M. R.
I visited this place for a Vivaldi performance by candlelight and it was awesome! The vibe, the architecture and the crafty performance. The only downside is that you can't take videos of this masterpieces
R. H. P.
Amazing space under the church of St.Martin is remarkable Café in the Crypt . Friendly service , delicious hit or cold food and loads of drinks to enjoy . I was there last year to be amazed by Jazz Night . 5 *
C. L.
Faure Requiem concert by candlelight. Beautifully sung in excellent acoustics. Disappointing soloists. Rather expensive for a college choir. However enjoyed the Mozart beforehand. Worth a visit!
M. R.
Had a bite to eat in the cript. Good value for money. The toilets were clean and free for all to use. My parents were married there in 1959 and I remember going to the cript with my father some 40 years ago for a tea
A. N.
Unexpected musical treat. As the orchestra were rehearsing for the evening concert of Vivaldi
S.
Incredibly beautiful church near Trafalgar square, the chorals are amazing, probably one of the most beautiful mass I've been for the Christmas eve. Would recommand to visit the place, it's a beautiful monument...
S. K.
Beautiful building with an instantly spellbinding charm that captures you the second you walk in. The afternoon concerts here are sonorous escape from the harsh environment of the city beyond the doors. Highly recommended!
J. T. A.
A great church to worship in. A mid-day Eucharist
Service was very good too. Beautiful singing and a brilliant Organist complete the very divine feel of a Service.
D. H.
Ok going to gripe that first went here decades ago and though i get the remodel i liked it better before. Also they removed tea for two. That said apple crumble is still awesome
N. R.
Stunning church, great place to come in from the cold and rain to rest in the quietness of this place. If your lucky you can enjoy an orchestra playing. Free wifi also for those interested
K. H.
Pretious centre of piece tranquility and fine arts - especially the most sublime music right in the Middle of London and its crowds. What a great place on Earth.
T. L.
A lovely place, whether you are seeking a spiritual experience or just something out of pace with the ordinary day to day London bustle.
And some events are free to enter. Amazing
g.
A lovely church in the centre of London. Designed by Christopher Wren. A centre for Christian worship and community work. Offer great refreshments in the basement and is used for small classical music performances.
H. D.
The cafe in the crypt is quiet nice. They have a relatively large selection of food. The cakes tend to be pretty nice.
C. W.
You can't but be taken taken by this building with its high white stone walls, pillars and solid doors, it demands your attention from the steps leading up to the entrance beneath the portico to it's spacious interior.
Wait, this is not some grim daunting building, yes it is a church and yes it has all the stuff you would expect to find in a church of this stature, and yes it has that air of hush about it but it's not sepulcral.
Over the time St Martins has been and is run as very much a vistors space, it is a building that has been sensitively adapted to both enhance the building and surrounding courtyard while making it commercially viable today.
Down stairs there is an excellent cafe /restaurant in the former crypt, you can still take brass rubbing' of past nobility if that's your thing and you can buy some non run of the mill gifts and souvenirs from the gift shop.
Regularly upstairs, popular classic music festivals and concerts by visiting musicians and orchestras are held .
If you're in the vicinity of St Martins in the field or any of the streets surrounding Trafalgar square , home of Nelson's Column, The National and Portrait gallery complex , someone from St Martins in the Fields will almost certainly hand you a flyer for either a free or a reasonably priced invitation to a concert by :Bach, Beethoven,Elgar, Delius or Mozart well worth squeezing into your itinerary .
Leave the city skateboarders ;flying, the street artist and their chalks , the living statues who startle, the buskers , lyricist who please , and the crowds flowing for a while , pause, enjoy the relative calm of the building and it's amenities before returning to explore this incredibly popular and intense zone.
S. B.
Really nice cafe in the crypt
D. G.
Amazing place, the classical music by candlelight is magical!
A. S.
Amazing events.
Really nice sound.
Good prices (9-35gbp)
Very nice food in the crypt (but nothing too fancy)
And decent toilets
P. M.
Such a great place for a sit down and something to eat. Food still good & plentiful. Staff could smile a bit more for a place based under a church
T. E.
I love this place. And if you have kids, they have a bronze colouring thing going on at the moment, where you pick a bronze template and get some colouring sticks and create a 'print' off the template. There is a cost, approx £2 per template but it's something different.
J. S.
Built in 1542 by Henry viii to stop plague victims from going through his Palace in Westminster. It has a beautifully vaulted crypt with a cafe in it. And holds seminars and concerts in the church. The organ is mahoosive. Highly recommend going to one of it's concerts as the acoustics are wonderful. Great gift shop downstairs too. After the 1st World War the crypt was opened for homeless soldiers returning from France until the 2nd World War when it was used as an air raid shelter. In 1945 the crypt was a shelter for the homeless. Royal children have often been christened here. Amongst many famous people buried here are Nell Gwynne 1687, Jack Shepherd (highwayman) 1724 and Thomas Chippendale (cabinet maker) 1772. Opposite the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery and a walk away from Nelson's Column, Horse Guards Parade, Cavalry Museum, Churchill Museum, Westminster Abbey, St James's Park, Buckingham Palace, Institute of Contemporary Arts, Soho, Covent Garden, the River Thames etc. During the 1990's it held a brass rubbing centre in it's crypt along side the café and shop . It is a shame they no longer do this activity as it was a popular activity to do with the whole family. Nearest tubes are Charing Cross, Embankment, Leicester Square, Westminster and St James's Park.
C. v. d. B.
We attended an Advent Carol Service at this church on a cold December night. The excellent singing by St Martin's famous choir left us stunned in our seats long after the liturgy officially concluded.
N. P.
Perhaps my favourite church always supposing the homeless, good causes and wonderful concerts.
V. L. F.
I love this church. They is always someone playing music in there. An orchestra etc... it is amazing! Beautiful quiet place in the center of London.
G. S.
Location of a great cafe right in the centre of London. As their sign says its a well kept secret. Its not well known that it exists snd a very unusual location in the church crypt.
A. S.
We had our #SaveDaredevil fan meetup held here in May. The location being a crypt was completely on brand for a Marvel's Daredevil-themed get together, considering Matt Murdock spends most of season 3 in a church crypt. They provided us tables away from the crowd into the gallery area which was appreciated. You have to line up cafeteria-style to buy the food, no on table service here, but for the purpose of the meeting that wasn't an issue. We had fun!
Y. M.
Had a most enjoyable evening. Israel in Egypt by Handel was a very new experience for me. Obviously everyone knows Handels Messiah - stunning! The choir sang like angels.
J. M.
Experience is of The Crypt coffee place, which (as the name suggests!) is in the crypt... Fabulous place; love it - reason for only 4 stars: staff need a bit customer service training
A. W.
Its's busy. Right next to Trafalgar Sq.
S. E.
This is a lovely church next to Trafalgar Square that holds lunch time concerts. They also have a cafe in the crypt which is very popular
D. T.
Very nice place to visit at any time of the year. The crypt is quite nice for a bite to eat. Very good for popping in when around Trafalgar Square. Worth checking what concerts are on.
S. D.
An oasis of peace in the midst of busy Trafalgar Square. Visit the church to regain your composure and spirituality, then head down to the crypt for the more earthly pleasures of good coffee and cake.
N. T.
An amazing cafe in the crypt! Bulled as Londons hidden secret. The food was very good, as was the coffee. The staff were friendly and it was immaculatly clean . Prices were keen too. Well worth a vist
S. k. M.
Beautiful church, not as big but in the middle of everything. Don't miss getting a bite at the crypt. The crypt itself is a great to look at.
S. S.
Amazing bed and pillows. Found out their supplied from Exclusive ........ something
S. L.
Just love everything about St Martin-in-the-Fields! Come and listen to the free lunch concerts, one of a few free things available in London!
There is a cafeteria in the basement and the food price is a bit expensive I feel...
d. b.
London octave playing regularly... Very well thought out beautifully orchestrated music .... Vivaldi..... lovely well designed church. Cafe downstairs in ""**""** The Crypt ""**""** too!
Z. K.
An amazing experience going to Vivaldi by Candlelight. Chance had it that while we wee inside the church listening to some very soothing classical music, outside, there were about 2000 Sunderland fans who came to London for the final match with Portsmouth. It was kinda liem being back in the 16th century with wars being waged and people taking refuge in churches. Very surreal!
F. M.
Great cafe down the crypt with underground architecture, sourvenir shop, and nice cafe. Establishment supporting all the good causes. Definitely worth visiting and support via donation.
L. G.
Found it a bit dingy as underground so did not stay. Maybe good on a rainy day or indeed a really hot day. Also brass rubbing activity looks good to keep kids occupied.
E. S.
St Martin's long history of pragmatic human rights, support and care, added to the gorgeous setting and beautiful music, makes this a complete alternative London experience. Here, right in the heart of Trafalgar Square's celebration of the madness of empire, is a clear strong ethical voice. And the food in the vaulted café is good!
P. R.
Feels a bit like a cafeteria with self serve. Good luck carrying that afternoon tea tray to your table. Gets crazy busy around lunch but really good price
S. C.
Lovely cafe in the crypt
A. T.
Very pretty church, with the best lunch option close to the National Gallery. The underground cafe is great price for quality.
K. C.
St Martin's was one of the first London churches to create a Cafe in the Crypt. There's a cafe, shop (selling local handcrafted products) as well as The Most Beautiful Church. A little gem in Central London. Highly recommended.
I. B.
The kids were absorbed in the brass rubbing. The crypt is stunning to see. Long queues for the cafe and loos, but it is a good afternoon out with kids.
G. G.
One of the highlights of our trip to London. Beautifully restored, this church is not only an important architectural gem, it is an active part of people's lives.
N. P.
The crypt is a great place to stop for a reasonable coffee, the church was very welcoming with a warm comfortable relaxed atmosphere. Beautiful inside & out
S.
Good, moderately priced food in the crypt under the church + brass rubbing. I haven't been to a concert there - but i feel i have missed out on that!
S. F.
The food in tbe crypt was good but a little expensive. Our wad extremely busy on a Saturday lunchtime and so it wad not easy to find a table
M. P.
Went to the cafe. Very busy, but it was 1pm. Generally well organised by pleasant staff. The tables were cleaned and tidied up quickly after customers left.
B. M.
Fantastic visit to the Café in the Crypt after attending a service in Westminster Abbey.
Good sized portions reasonably priced.
J. H.
During our visit it was absolutely heaving. There was a march on. However, what was on offer was great and all the staff were very helpful. It is quite pricey though which is why it doesn't get the full 5 stars.
A. V.
Lovely concert. Great atmosphere. Good temperature (I was worried it may be cold, as it's an older church).
A. B.
Great food and tea in a beautiful ambience right on Trafalgar Square. I go there every time I happen to be in the centre and also take friends and family visiting London. Great staff, always a plesure to return there
A. C. B.
Lovely large cafe in the crypt
L. D.
Good venue for lunch when visiting the galleries opposite. Varied menu, good prices, pleasant ambience, attractive vaulted space.
E. M.
Great programme of music events and great acoustic
B. L.
This church is quite beautiful and an active part of the community. Its musical contribution is outstanding and a venue and home for the Academy of At Martin in the field.
J. O.
Pretty, historically significant, candlelight concert is nice
M. C.
St Martin In The Fields ,is a must stop when in London , lots of history , crypt below church with headstones laid flat , cafe along side , inside the church is a peaceful haven from the buzz of modern living , orchestra plays during summer periods , check online for dates , highly recommend a visit 👍☘️
S. H.
Surprisingly good food. The brass rubbings are fun.
T. Z.
Had coffee and cake well done
A. L.
Relaxing and peaceful. Try the crypt for lunch, tea or dinner and the church for a service or an evening concert. The gift shop has many nice things to buy too!
M. W.
Lovely church, Trafalgar Square and the Crypt restaurant good value - so welcoming in a historical location. The shop is excellent too.
a. s.
I attended the four seasons concert in this church. I really liked it and it suited well the baroque era music.
I. F.
Wonderful venue, a little secret calm and quiet place amid a very touristy area. Great and varied musical programs.
P. K.
Good cafe downstairs. Interesting recital in church Brilliant piano with singer with music somewhat bizarre. Not my taste!
P. A.
Lunch in the crypt, one of London's best kept secrets. Well worth a visit, especially if you are able to combine it with a concert.
J. H. C.
Offers frequent classical music concerts that are not very expensive. Just be aware that in some seats the visibility is limited by the columns.
D. J.
Great Sacred Music lunchtime concert was a lovely time in a great day with friends. Really enjoyed Messiah and Easter Hymns
C. T.
One waiter was charming and helpful. Staff on serving counter and till were not interested in their work or customers. Quiche was not GCSE standard.
M. S. J.
My wife and I attended the carol concert at St Martin’s on 23rd December. A fabulous performance by the SMITF Chorus deservedly won a standing ovation. Well done everybody! Not our first time here and it won’t be the last.
M. G.
Concerts at St Martin in the Fields always good. I would not recommend the restaurant. Ii is expensive and by the time you get to your seat your food is cold.
S. M.
Always good for a bit too eat and use the loo. Plus water in a jug right by Trafalgar Square. There is also a shop and which has loads of nice cards plus the is brass rubbing and a cripyt.
M. I.
I came for the fish and chips Friday's in the café and was not disappointed! Fresh, huge portions and fair price! Tap water free of charge
A. P.
Excellent venue if you are a fan of classical music, particularly baroque. Sensational orchestra. Assured to get some memories for life. I did.
P. B.
The name of this place is forever connected in my mind with the late Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, which he co-founded with the then music master of this church, and which gave its first concert here in 1959.
The earliest known burial on the site is about 1600 years old, when it was outside the city walls of Roman Londinium. There's been a church on the site since at least the 13th century. When Henry VIII had the church rebuilt (16th cent.), it was between the towns of Westminster and London--out in the fields. The current building, which went up in the early 1700's, has been widely copied for churches around the world.
I had a lovely leek soup in the café in the basement here, which also happens to be an actual crypt. (All that's beneath paving stones underfoot.) It's my understanding the restaurant, bookstore, and brass rubbing enterprises are what today fund the congregation's long-standing service to people in need in their parish.
A most historic congregation and place that's well worth reading about and visiting for its own sake, or on your way to or from the National Gallery or Trafalgar Square across the street.
M. S.
A convenient place for a quick snack in the crypt of the church. Not cheap considering how drab it all is but plenty of tables ad not too crowded.
S. H.
I went to one of their best talks. Speakers were Sir Diarmaid Macculloch, Sam Wells in conversation with Roger Bolton. A great memorable evening.
S. K.
Beautiful music in beautiful surroundings. There was plenty of space in the crypt cafe and the staff were pleasant and efficient.
C. W.
The free lunchtime concerts are a wonderful opportunity to reflect in a beautiful environment in the middle of the madness of central London.
S. C.
Not so very secret any more cafe in the heart of London, but just as nice, all the same. Staff always friendly and helpful
R. M.
Watched the Brandenburg Sinfonia playing Vivaldi, Bach and Handel at St. Martin tonight. Wonderful music played by wonderful musicians in a wonderful venue.
A. D.
Went for the Christmas carols (just to check it out as a tourist) and stayed till the end... I don't even believe in God but the atmosphere was great and the choir very nice!
B. C.
Free concerts at least twice a week at 1pm. Classical and jazz music. A must in London
S. G.
Beautiful church lovely tea rooms in the crypt.
d. r.
Visited the crypt cafe nice
M. J.
We had our media party in the crypt. Beautiful venue, with brilliant staff. Just beware you won't get mobile signal downstairs though!
J. P.
Attended Vivaldi by candlelight concert. Excellent musicians and lovely atmosphere. Good acoustics too!
J. B. (.
Beautiful church lovely service
J. T.
Very average food but high prices and the staff all seem totally disinterested in what they are there to do. The room has no air-conditioning or fans and no fans the temperature is unbearable in the summer
M. F.
Good conference venue in the crypt
R. W.
Great interesting place for a Geocaching event
K. P.
Loved the atmosphere. The food was basic but then again one is not here for the food. Must check out the classical music to see what it feels like
M. P.
Beautiful and affordable venue for an intimate classical music concert. Slight caution - The pews are extremely uncomfortable.
林.
a beautiful working church with a hidden cafe
T. L.
Brilliant cafe venue.
S. M.
Peaceful and the perfect antidote for peace, quiet and refection in a busy city.
M. D.
Beautiful church with wonderful concerts. Do not walk past. Go inside and you will not be disappointed.
s. d.
Fantastic for orchestral music
J. B.
Cleanest toilets in London. Free water. Great atmosphere and everyone should visit this London landmark. It has soul.
M. M.
We went in at the end of a concert so rather busy with people leaving. A surprisingly ornate interior. The building was then closed rather summarily so we left.
B. W.
went there for the candle concert on new years eve . fabulous. the venue lends itself for tenors and sopranos singing at Capella
S. V. L.
Hi quality choir for even song
G. E.
Great subterranean café. I had coffee walnut cake and english breakfast tea. Great cake. Great tea. Free water. Nice loos too.
J. K.
Lovely place and great concerts. Increasing number of unfortunate homeless folk asleep in the cafe though.
B. J.
Nice place to visit. Had a little hidden cafe underneath that serves amazing cake - curious place to take someone to
S. D. C.
I have only been here twice but will visit again if I am ever back in London. Have enjoyed performance and the cafe below.
M. P.
Lovely crypt with good food