St. Mary-le-Bow, London

A prominent feature of Cheapside is Saint Mary-le-Bow, known for its striking tower adorned with a combination of pilasters, a circular colonnade, a granite obelisk, and a dragon weather vane. Originally founded around 1080 as the London seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, this church has a resilient history. It suffered three collapses and subsequent rebuilds before being completely razed in the Great Fire of 1666. Once again, Sir Christopher Wren was summoned to create a new structure, completed in 1673. Unfortunately, this incarnation, too, met its end during the Blitz. The current version you see today is a faithful recreation of Wren's design, reconsecrated in 1965. According to tradition, only individuals born within earshot of the church's famous "Bow Bells" (which used to carry further than they do today) can be considered authentic Cockneys. This tradition may trace back to the 14th century when the bells rang to signal a 9 PM curfew.

The Norman crypt beneath the church is London's oldest parochial building still in use, featuring arches with a distinctive bow-shaped design that lends the church its name. The garden surrounding the church houses a statue of Captain John Smith, a former parishioner and the founder of the Virginia Colony. Guided tours are available upon request, and the church hosts regular classical music concerts; visit the website for event listings.

Tip:
Don't forget to explore Café Below, a charming family-owned eatery located in the crypt, offering a cozy atmosphere and a rotating menu of homemade dishes such as squash and red lentil curry with freshly baked naan, pan-fried sea bream, and grilled polenta. They also serve hearty hot breakfasts to start your day right.