Photo by Black Taxi Tours of London
Among the modern office blocks of the City of London, there is an extraordinary little piece of history that is easy to miss. Standing on its own island in the middle of Wood Street is St Alban’s Tower, the last surviving fragment of a church designed by one of Britain’s greatest architects, Sir Christopher Wren.
It is certainly one of the City of London’s more unusual historical landmarks!
The church has a long history, with its origins believed to date back to Anglo-Saxon times. There is even a tradition linking the site to King Offa of Mercia, who founded St Albans Abbey in 793 AD. The medieval church was rebuilt in 1634, but its troubles were far from over.
Like so many London churches, it fell victim to the Great Fire of London in 1666. It was subsequently rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in the late 17th century, in a distinctive Gothic style. The church stood for more than 250 years before disaster struck again.
During the Blitz in December 1940, incendiary bombs devastated the building. The main body of the church was eventually demolished, but remarkably, its stone tower survived. Today, it stands alone, surrounded by traffic and modern buildings, a rather lonely reminder of London’s wartime past.
The tower is also a Grade II* listed building, recognised for its special architectural and historical importance.
And here is a rather amusing modern twist: although it looks like a forgotten church tower waiting for its congregation to return, it has actually been converted into a private residence! So, if you happen to be looking for a truly unusual London home, this one certainly has character. Unfortunately, you cannot simply knock on the door and ask for a viewing!
For visitors interested in hidden London history, unusual City of London landmarks and the stories behind its historic streets, St Alban’s Tower is well worth seeking out. It is precisely these unexpected discoveries that make exploring the capital so rewarding.
And if you would like to discover more of London’s lesser-known stories, why not experience them on a ‘Secret London’ black cab tour? With a friendly and knowledgeable London cabbie at the wheel, you can uncover fascinating buildings, forgotten alleyways and curious historical secrets that many visitors and even Londoners pass without noticing.
See St Alban’s Tower on a ‘Secret London’ black cab tour!
BLACK TAXI TOURS OF LONDON
www.blacktaxitours.co.uk info@blacktaxitours.co.uk