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
- Archbishop of Canterbury opens Zimbabwe photographic exhibition at Southwark Cathedral (5 Feb 2010)
- BBC's Justin Webb delivers Southwark's John Harvard lecture (29 Jan 2010)
- Artist Francis Farmar donates Bankside painting to Guy's Hospital (12 Jan 2010)
- Pictures: Blessing the River Thames at London Bridge (10 Jan 2010)
- Photos: Mayor of London's Carol Service at Southwark Cathedral (16 Dec 2009)
- Tom Chambers and Amanda Mealing at Guy's & St Thomas' Carol Concert (15 Dec 2009)
- Boris Johnson to miss his own carol service at Southwark Cathedral (13 Dec 2009)
- Better Bankside appeal launched at cathedral tree lighting (5 Dec 2009)
- LSBU honours David Lan and Camila Batmanghelidjh (18 Nov 2009)
- Royalty and stars gather for John Mortimer memorial service at Southwark Cathedral (17 Nov 2009)
- John Harvard Library reopens after £1.4 million revamp (16 Nov 2009)
- Poppy wreath laid on the Thames during Armistice Day service (11 Nov 2009)
- Pictures & video: Remembrance Sunday in SE1 (8 Nov 2009)
- FT boss David Bell on "phenomenal" transformation of Bankside (8 Nov 2009)
- Apple Day celebrations in Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market (26 Oct 2009)
- Petition launched against 'gory scenes' in the street at London Bridge (22 Oct 2009)
- Holby City star praises "priceless" Guy's and St Thomas' for treating Paul O'Grady (19 Oct 2009)
- 'Act local' on climate change urges Archbishop of Canterbury at Southwark Cathedral (14 Oct 2009)
- Councillors back 'saturation zone' for bar and shop licences in Bankside (9 Oct 2009)
- Terry Gilliam's 'Doctor Parnassus' film: exclusive Borough Market pictures (6 Oct 2009)
- John Constable's Southwark Mysteries drama to be revived in 2010 (25 Sep 2009)
- All Hallows campaigners present alternative development plan to Southwark Cathedral (22 Sep 2009)
- John Prescott launches climate change lecture tour at Southwark's Globe Academy (21 Sep 2009)
- New book: 2,000 years of history at Southwark Cathedral (11 Sep 2009)
- Canon Giles Goddard is Waterloo's new parish priest (3 Sep 2009)
Forum discussions about Southwark Cathedral
- Large room needed for new W.I. meeting
- The Bells the Bells
- Controversial post
- Old Film Clips of London
- London Bridge 'gory scenes' petition
- Report on Archbishop Rowan's speech
- Painting of Bermondsey in 1569
- 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?
Restaurants, pubs & bars close to Southwark Cathedral
- The Mudlark (28 yards)
- Cafe Brood (38 yards)
- The Guildable Manor (38 yards)
- Southwark Cathedral Refectory (42 yards)
- La Cave (46 yards)
- Brew. (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)
- Bedales (96 yards)

