Southwark Cathedral

The mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark.
Southwark Cathedral is a parish church which became a cathedral early in the 20th century. St Swithin of weather fame founded a convent on the site which later became a monastery. Henry VIII's closure of the priory led to the main building becoming the parish church. William Shakespeare is believed to have been present when John Harvard, founder of the American university, was baptised here in 1607. This is the year that William's own brother Edmond was buried between the choir stalls. Nearby is the Shakespeare memorial.
The Millennium Project development to the north of the cathedral includes a refectory and a shop with specially commissioned Southwark products. The cloister style courtyard is on the site of the original cloister in use when Southwark Cathedral was a riverside priory. The old and new buildings are separated by an ancient alleyway which has reopened as a glazed street called Lancelot's Link.
On Sundays the main choral eucharist is at 11am.
Open: Daily 8am-6pm
Admission FREE
Beat the queues & save money with the London Pass
valid at Southwark Cathedral
Want a handy printed guide to what's on in the area each month?
Pick up a free copy of in SE1 at Southwark Cathedral.
News & features about Southwark Cathedral
- Boris swaps Olympic flag for Armed Forces Day flag at City Hall (22 Jun 2009)
- Hundreds of saxophonists cross London Bridge into Southwark (21 Jun 2009)
- Drama at Southwark Cathedral as Morgan Tsvangirai addresses Zimbabwe exiles (20 Jun 2009)
- Stormy reception for latest All Hallows development plans (18 Jun 2009)
- Treasure map offers new way to explore South Bank & Bankside (16 Jun 2009)
- Duchess of Gloucester visits Southwark Cathedral (21 May 2009)
- St George's Day 2009 in Southwark - pictures (24 Apr 2009)
- Bishop blesses Anglican community's new Pocock Street home (20 Apr 2009)
- Southwark Cathedral hosts BBC One's Easter Eucharist (12 Apr 2009)
- Anne Worsley: tributes paid to woman of "impatient and purposeful energy" (17 Mar 2009)
- Borough Music School founder Anne Worsley dies (3 Mar 2009)
- London Marathon team wins Better Bankside pancake race (24 Feb 2009)
- Songs of Praise to be recorded at Southwark Cathedral (2 Feb 2009)
- Stray cat makes its home at Southwark Cathedral (15 Jan 2009)
- Jack Hames, Borough teacher and businessman, dies aged 88 (13 Jan 2009)
- Blessing of Thames marks London Bridge's 800th anniversary (12 Jan 2009)
- Dixie Ticklers' New Orleans-style nursery rhymes (14 Dec 2008)
- Boris Johnson hosts GLA carol service at Southwark Cathedral (10 Dec 2008)
- SE1-based Latin American craft business launches new website (5 Dec 2008)
- 'St Nicholas' switches on Christmas tree lights at Southwark Cathedral (4 Dec 2008)
- Gordon Brown at Southwark Cathedral for youth violence memorial service (28 Nov 2008)
- Patricia Moberly receives honorary doctorate from Trevor McDonald (20 Nov 2008)
- Barack Obama invited to visit Southwark (6 Nov 2008)
- Brangwyn's Southwark Cathedral print in anniversary poster show (27 Oct 2008)
- Apple Day at Borough Market (26 Oct 2008)
Forum discussions about Southwark Cathedral
- Books about SE1?
- Alcoholic Anon Meeting in Southwark Cathedral Chambers
- Anne Worsley
- Borough Market Sunday opening
- Carols in Borough Market
- Christmas service tomorrow - you're all welcome!
- Lost Tabby, South Bank & The Cut
- Hop Exchange
- Mexican grocery?
- Fireworks on Saturday night
- Leather and p***
- Southwark Cathedral Shakespeare Window
- SE1 visitor attractions - too expensive for most families?
- London Promenade project
- Faith in Bermondsey
- Temporary Disability transport
- Improving Walking Routes To London Bridge Station
- Wedding Venue
- Is it a Banksy?
- Coin Street's revised plans for a tower of only 43 storeys - still a betrayal of their founding principles?
Restaurants, pubs & bars close to Southwark Cathedral
- The Mudlark (28 yards)
- Cafe Brood (38 yards)
- Southwark Cathedral Refectory (42 yards)
- La Cave (46 yards)
- Greens (46 yards)
- Fish! (58 yards)
- London Bridge Tandoori (64 yards)
- The Barrow Boy and Banker (66 yards)
- Pizza Express (66 yards)
- Banana Store (70 yards)
- London Bridge Kebab (74 yards)
- fish!kitchen (76 yards)
- Hobbs (80 yards)
- The Globe Tavern (82 yards)
- Jade Sandwich Bar (88 yards)
- Bedales (96 yards)

