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
- Andrew Motion's tribute to Southwark's John Gower (15 Jul 2008)
- Zimbabwean exiles march on the South Bank (11 Jul 2008)
- Celebs at Southwark Cathedral for Rolling Stone daughter's wedding (22 Jun 2008)
- Tony Hart opens Art House at Cathedral School (22 Jun 2008)
- Gambling centre approved for Borough High Street (13 Jun 2008)
- One week on: candlelit vigil for Arsema Dawit (9 Jun 2008)
- First interfaith youth arts event at Southwark Cathedral (11 May 2008)
- Locals honoured for their contribution to Southwark civic life (11 May 2008)
- Blue plaques for Bert Hardy and John Harvard (13 Apr 2008)
- Boring Budget with risks says FT's John Willman (13 Mar 2008)
- £118,000 for Southwark Cathedral roof repairs (8 Feb 2008)
- Portrait of Bankside playwright John Fletcher saved for nation (7 Feb 2008)
- Pancake race on Bankside (6 Feb 2008)
- Bring a better Christmas to Bankside (3 Dec 2007)
- Memorial service for 'Paddy' Hughes (3 Dec 2007)
- Southwark marks John Harvard's 400th anniversary (26 Nov 2007)
- Honorary doctorate for Sir Terence Conran (26 Nov 2007)
- Race to save unique John Fletcher portrait (22 Nov 2007)
- Death of Borough Market's Robert Burton (19 Nov 2007)
- John Harvard, Henry Cooper and Bert Hardy compete for blue plaques (3 Oct 2007)
- Steve Hollingshead's Event exhibition (12 Sep 2007)
- Southwark students bound for Massachusetts (12 Jul 2007)
- New design for "Baby Shard" gets green light (5 Jul 2007)
- Driscoll House Hotel founder dies (4 Jul 2007)
- The Merchant of Venice at Shakespeare's Globe (2 Jul 2007)
Forum discussions about Southwark Cathedral
- 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?
- Dr Who
- Borough Market in the Washington Post
- Borough Market petition nearly 20 thousand
- New to the Area
- Prospective demolition of Borough Market
- Refurbished area of Borough Market
- Bicycle Enforcement
- Warehouse / car park wanted for wedding marquee
- Celeb sightings in SE1
- Urban Foxes in SE1
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)
- The Hot Potato Kitchen (74 yards)
- fish!kitchen (76 yards)
- Hobbs (80 yards)
- The Globe Tavern (82 yards)
- Fish Bar (82 yards)
- The Hidden Julep (86 yards)

