Holloway Road isn't usually known for its calmness and tranquility, but set foot in the North…read moreLondon Buddhist Centre at no. 72 and you'll soon discover a world of relaxation in the city. I've recently dropped in on some classes and am hoping to find the time to attend more in future. The centre is housed in a beautiful ornate building that's been rennovated to house two "shrine rooms", two study/course rooms and a large reception with a bookshop and a small cafe. The atmosphere is always friendly and accommodating, and the staff are happy for you to browse, grab a cup of tea or chat to other visitors outside of class times. Last time I visited there was a small bring and buy sale going on, and it's well worth dropping in to find out what's going on locally. During my first class, myself and around half a dozen others learnt how to put into practice "Mindfulness of Breathing", which aims to enhance our awareness and peace of mind. I've dropped back in on this class several times subsquently, and always leave the session with a feeling of clarity and restored calmness. At my second session, we were introduced to the concept of Metta Bhavana or the development of loving kindness, which aims to promote a spirit of generosity in our daily experience. I'd definitely recommend it!

I grew up crazy Irish Catholic and while I've left all that behind, I've not exactly picked up…read moreBuddhism in its place. Until now. Get your zen on, bitches. The first time I ended up here, at the rather dubious North London Buddhist Centre, I had mixed feelings. I wandered in for one of their cheap 10 quid yoga classes with a feeling not unlike total trepidation. A little old lady was behind the desk and when I enquired whether yoga was on here, in this weird shop, she snapped 'yes, but you have to pay me first!' Yeah, alright love. So apparently yoga was being held there. Somewhere. It's a shop with books for sale, yoga stuff and a kitchen in the back. And yoga, apparently. A bunch of 'street' looking youths were lolling around on the sofas in tracksuits staring at a TV on the wall. It turns out they were also waiting for yoga. Um... okay. It's a far cry from the pristine yoga studios I was in now. Lots of random people were milling about, I guess they have some kind of mediation on there too. Or a twelve step programme, I spotted lots of addiction books too. Weird. Eventually we all went down to the yoga room. It's a little studio with mats, yoga props and a statue of Buddha in the corner. The 'youths' all did yoga in their tracksuits and hoodies. Seriously, north London wha? I've been twice now, I wasn't thrilled with the first instructor, not sure what style of yoga she was teaching but it wasn't for me. The second 'Dynamic' teacher was a bit better but still quite different to what I am used to. Classes are quite small and not very busy, I'd recommend you go as it's only a tenner. More disciplined yogis probably won't get much out of these classes but when you are injured, it's fine. When I want a proper yoga workout, it probably won't be here that I will be.

The Abbey is beautiful. Fortunately we have the ticket reserved 6 weeks ahead. The line to get in…read moreis still long but manageable. The interior is beautiful. There are many famous person burying here. This 10th century church is UNESCO World Heritage. It has so many royal wedding here. It is also bury site for Charles Darwin, George Frideric Handel, Isaac Newton, and more. The visit needs 2.5 hours minimum. The architect is beautiful especially the ceiling. The building has many styles.

My husband and I visited Westminster Abbey when we were in London for a few days about two weeks…read moreago. I'm sure that I visited Westminster Abbey when I was a kid, but I was visit it again as an adult. The church was actually founded in 959, but the building dates back to 1245-1269. The church has been location of the coronation of 40 monarchs and a burial site for 18 monarchs. At least 16 royal weddings have taken place here as well. The abbey is also the burial site of more than 3,300 people: monarchs, prime ministers, poets, actors, scientists... The church's Gothic architecture is incredible. I don't even know how many pictures I took of the stained glass, the ceilings, the facade, the flying buttresses.... Hundreds?! I will say that Westminster Abbey was the most crowded attraction we visited during our time in London. It's no surprise. Westminster Abbey is an incredible historic site - who wouldn't want to see it on a visit to London?! But it was packed. We grabbed our audio guide and then just stayed patient as we got stuck in traffic jam after traffic jam in the abbey. I can't imagine that Westminster Abbey isn't on everyone's itinerary for a first trip to London. It should be!

Tucked away on Farm Street, surrounded by residential mews and mansion blocks, the Jesuit Church of…read morethe Immaculate Conception could almost define the phrase 'hidden gem'. It is worth making a special effort to visit. The church itself was built in 1844-49 as a base for the Jesuit order in London, following the Catholic emancipation of 1829. The architect behind this jewel was Joseph John Scoles (1798-1863). He designed a number of Roman Catholic churches and, on the basis of the Immaculate Conception alone, deserves to be better known. For its early date, it is a remarkably confident, and accomplished, example of Gothic Revival. The facade is a fair introduction to the church, the (liturgical) west door surmounted by a striking Decorated Gothic west window, filled with delicate tracery in a bold rose design. But the interior steps up a gear: eight bays of clustered marble-clad columns, tall clerestory windows flooding the interior with light, all drawing the eye to the chancel and the high altar. The nave and chancel ceilings are stencilled and painted, the aisles vaulted. Every surface is covered with marble or decoration, the aisle chapels filled with sculpture and intricate blind arcading. Most notable is the chancel reredos, designed by Pugin, the stone brilliantly gilded, but there are some interesting side chapels too, one of which has a sculpture of "The Homeless Christ", showing Him wrapped up on a life-sized park bench. It became a parish church in 1966 and also has a significant ministry of outreach to refugees, young adults, LGTB+ Catholics, Japanese and Filipino congregations, and those considering returning to the faith. It also has a notable reputation for music. The church is open every day, with daily masses and confession.

Looking for something beautiful and quiet, off-the-beaten track in London? This is one of them. The…read moreChurch is absolutely breath taking - both the exterior and interior. The surrounding park (Mount Street Gardens) are also well kept and very beautiful. Try and stop by to explore both the Church and the gardens if you're in the Mayfair area.

Southwark Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Saviour and St. Mary Overie, has a…read morefascinating history that dates back over a thousand years. Its origins can be traced to a monastery founded in AD 606 by Mellitus, the first Bishop of London. The original structure was a wooden building and was later rebuilt in stone around the 9th century. Over the centuries, the cathedral has undergone various renovations and additions, resulting in the magnificent structure we see today. The location of Southwark Cathedral is of great historical significance. It stands on the south bank of the River Thames, near the site of the ancient Roman bridge that connected the City of London with the southern part of the country Inside the cathedral, children can discover a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts that span different periods and styles. The Cathedral has a lovely garden which is a haven at all times of year but especially in the summer. A quiet space to sit for a while. Whilst the lovely cafe serving delicious coffee and cakes is a nice way to escape the crowds of London bridge

I chanced upon this spot as I was going through Borough Market and I am so glad I did. So much…read morehistory and splendor at this cathedral. I spent some time meditating in the pews and had a wonderful visit overall. It's free entrance as well which is nice.

Date: August 29, 2026…read more Experience: We were able to check this place out with our tour group. The cathedral is Anglican and I was impressed by the architecture and took as much time as I could to immerse myself with the artwork and installations as our local tour guide gave us tidbits about the cathedral. It's always interesting to visit and compare non-Catholic cathedrals from the Catholic ones I've visited over the years. There was a wedding party taking pictures outside and services still go on within the building itself. We had the opportunity to visit the crypt area as well and they had a gift shop down there as well. I was most impressed with the art on the dome ceiling as well as various dedications and representations dedicated to the USA. Definitely their cathedrals and churches seem to be dedications to resilience and the lives that were lost in wars and battles fought.

I visited St. Paul's Cathedral during Evensong, which allowed me to experience the cathedral…read morewithout paying the standard sightseeing admission. The architecture alone makes this place worth visiting. There are so many details throughout the building to look at, and the history of the space adds a lot to the experience. Pictures and videos were not allowed once Evensong started. I did notice several people taking out their phones to record at different points. From my perspective, enforcement seemed uneven, with staff focusing more heavily on a few specific visitors. Even with that part of the experience, the cathedral itself is definitely worth seeing if you are interested in history or architecture. I personally would not pay extra for the sightseeing tour, but I can understand why others might, especially if they want access to the views from higher up in the cathedral.

It's perhaps not surprising to find the world's largest Hindu temple (Mandir) outside India in…read moreLondon, given the historic links of trade and Empire between India and the UK. What is more of a shock, however, is that it is in Neasden, in a rather dreary setting of suburbs and light industry, defined in most people's minds by the North London Circular Road. But this did not faze the temple's founders, who come from the Swaminarayan branch of Hinduism. In India, it is common for temples to be located in all sorts of places, and particularly in the community which they serve - in this case, the Indian community of North West London. So, in 1989 they began the task of building the huge shrine and complex on what had been derelict land. 5,000 tonnes of pure white Bulgarian limestone and Italian marble were sent to India to be carved, and sent back to the UK for assembly into the temple itself. The main temple is essentially a large, domed hall at the top of the grand external staircase, all of which - interior and exterior - is adorned with mind-bogglingly intricate carvings, some abstract, some naturalistic, and others depicting various deities. Inside, the main hall opens into a series of small screened chambers, in which are located the Murtis - the marble images which Hindus hold to be infused with the divine presence of God, in various different incarnations. These are elaborately decorated and clothed, and can only be seen at various times of the day: at others, the Murtis are behind closed doors, for ritual purposes, such as food offering, or simply to be left in peace. This main part of the complex is astonishing, and is regarded by many as a wonder of modern Britain. It's certainly an incredible addition to the UK's stock of religious and architectural monuments. Whatever your faith (or none), it's bound to leave an impression. Downstairs is an exhibition (entrance: £2) explaining the background to Hinduism and Indian culture, including its many achievements in areas such as language, mathematics, geometry, surgery, astronomy and philosophy. It's very educational and well worthwhile to put the whole experience into context, although there is a slightly aggrandizing tone to some of the explanations. The exhibition then goes on to explain the origins and beliefs of the Swaminarayan branch of Hinduism, and the role it plays in modern society. Alongside, a Cultural Complex has been built, which includes prayer halls, wedding halls, a shop, cloakrooms, offices and the main entrance. This contains amazingly carved wooden decoration, which can be seen in the canopy above the entrance, but is repeated on a grand scale inside. The temple is surrounded on one side by small but intricate and beautiful gardens. Across the road is a car-park, left-luggage facility (for bags and cameras) and a small Shayona cafe serving vegetarian Indian food. The temple goes out of its way to be open to all, and the staff are very welcoming and helpful. On my visit, the halls in the cultural centre were crowded with school parties, receiving lessons on Hindu religion and culture. As you might expect, there are some rules you asked to follow, detailed on the website: essentially, you are expected to dress decently, cameras and mobile phones cannot be used inside the complex, nor bags taken in (there's a small area set aside for taking photographs of the exterior). After passing through security and a metal detector (a sad indictment of our times) you must take your shoes off - there are storage shelves for this, as well as coat racks. The temple is a ten minute walk from Stonebridge Park or Neasden stations, and is clearly signposted from the North Circular road. Entrance is free, but there are donation boxes at various points if you wish to contribute to its upkeep.

I understand why the Neasden Temple receives such wonderful reviews. The architecture is…read morebreathtaking, with exquisite, intricate craving throughout. It's also just such a unique experience - it was lovely to be able to observe worship, and I'm so appreciative that the temple is open to non-Hindu visitors. A few things to know and keep in mind when visiting: - The temple is accessible by public bus, with a stop directly next to the building. There's also a free parking lot. - Backpacks and cameras are not permitted in the temple, but there's a security building where you can check items (no fee). Do remember to bring your wallet, as there's an exhibit on Hinduism with a £2.00 entry. - You'll be required to remove your shoes in the temple, so you'll likely want to wear socks. Pants or dresses below knee-length and sleeveless tops aren't allowed, but the temple graciously loans coverings to anyone who needs them. - There's an excellent and reasonably priced Indian vegetarian restaurant called Shayona at the back of the parking lot if you're visiting around lunch or dinner.

This church is truly stunning and I am so proud of the renovation taken on to this beautiful…read morebuilding. Perfectly combining the old with the new this classic church building has been given a new lease of life with a complete make over. Having gone here as a brownie guide as a child and sat in the cold dark pews I can honestly say that getting the opportunity to go back and see it shine in all its glory was perfect. The church itself looks very traditional from the outside though the garden area has a modern path and there's also what looks like a small vegetable patch of some kind by the entrance to the cafe. Going inside there a beautiful modern stained glass window, not like the traditional style you would expect in a building like this, but almost a piece of modern art in its own right. The main space lights up beautifully on a sunny afternoon but the artificially lighting into the evening brings attention to the arches in the ceiling as well as keeping the space bright and light. The sound system means that you can hear perfectly wherever you are sat. There are a few extra separate rooms as well which are very useful as well as a cafe and a catering kitchen. On this occasion I was here for a wedding and it serves the purpose of being for both the ceremony and the reception. I have also been to great dinners and parties here before the renovation was fully completed and it really does make for a great venue space.

A small church (Roman Catholic) compared to some of the really huge ones in this area, but very…read morepeaceful for a quick visit. Not sure if this church has a long history, it just felt much newer. It has only 2 side chapels next to the main altar. There's a beautiful statue of Our Lady help of Christians near the entry. If you head right when entering the main door, you come to a small area decorated with ceiling and wall frescoes of people from the area who were canonised as saints after World War II