St. James's Church
Bombed by the German Luftwaffe in 1940 and not restored until 1954, this was one of the last of Sir Christopher Wren's London churches—and his favorite. Completed in 1684, it contains one of the finest works by the master carver Grinling Gibbons (1648–1721): an ornate limewood reredos (the screen behind the altar). The church is a lively place, with all manner of lectures and concerts (some are free). A small sedate garden is tucked away at the rear of the church, with a coffee shop, Redemption Roasters, that makes good use of the space adjacent to the church. There's also a range of street food stalls in the pretty courtyard out front from Monday to Thursday. A major renovation project will close the whole site for several months at some point in 2024 or 2025 (dates are yet to be confirmed as fundraising is ongoing), so check ahead of your visit.
