St Dunstan in the East: Everything You Need to Know

Vine-covered bombed-out walls, secret archways, tranquil gardens, a beautiful fusion of old meets new and the peaceful sounds of nature. This is St Dunstan in the East Church Gardens; a unique hidden gem in the City of London. Continue reading our guide to St Dunstan in the East for everything you need to know for your visit.

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Often referred to as the City of London’s most beautiful gardens, St Dunstan in the East Church Gardens is a unique hidden gem tucked away amongst the busy city streets.

The gardens are a tranquil urban oasis where old beautifully fuses with new as the bombed-out walls sit sandwiched between glitzy skyscrapers and modern buildings.

The gardens offer a welcoming respite for city workers who visit St Dunstan in the East during their lunch break to escape from the hustle and bustle of the nearby streets and sit amongst the peaceful ruined vine-covered walls.

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During the summer months, St Dunstan in the East Church Gardens is alive with trees and vines growing through windows and winding themselves around the walls that remain standing.

It truly is a beautiful spot to visit and one of the best free things to do in London. Find a bench shaded by a palm tree with your lunch or a good book and sit and enjoy the sounds of nature in the heart of the city.

If you’re in London for a couple of days, check out our 2-day London itinerary, which includes visiting St Dunstan in the East on day 2.

History of St Dunstan in the East

St Dunstan in the East was constructed in the 12th century and named after an Anglo-Saxon saint, Dunstan, who served as Abbot at Glastonbury Abbot, later becoming Archbishop of Canterbury.

The church largely remained unscathed, except for a repaired aisle in 1631, until it was severely damaged by the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Over the next 30 years, the church was repaired as it didn’t need a full rebuild. The final stage that was added was a tower and steeple designed by Sir Christopher Wren which retained the same gothic style as the original.

Unfortunately, that’s not where the difficulties stopped for the church. By the early 1800s, the church had fallen into decline and it was decided by the local parish that it would be rebuilt. This took place between 1817 and 1821. Christopher Wren’s gothic steeple and tower were retained.

The next difficulty for St Dunstan in the East came during the Blitz in 1941 when the church was severely damaged. This bombing left only the tower, steeple and north and south walls intact.

For the next 25 years, the church lay in ruins to be reclaimed by nature. In 1967, the City of London Corporation decided to incorporate the ruins into a garden which was opened to the public in 1971.

Today, St Dunstan in the East Church Gardens is a Grade 1 listed building meaning that they’re protected from any further development and cannot be destroyed.

As well as being a popular spot for lunchtime hangouts, the Anglican Church occasionally holds open-air services here. Wren’s tower and steeple also now house the All Hallows House Foundation, which is a charity devoted to providing health services to those who live and work in the City of London.

The St Dunstan in the East Church Gardens can also be hired for private events.

Where Is St Dunstan in the East?

St Dunstan in the East is located on St Dunstan’s Hill, halfway between London Bridge and Tower Bridge.

The closest stations are Fenchurch Street, Monument and Tower Hill which are all within a 5-minute walk. Buses passing near the church are numbers 133, 141, 21 and 8. You can plan your journey using the TFL Journey Planner.

There are also 3 Santander Cycle docking stations within a 5-minute walk; Great Tower Street, Monument Street and Lower Thames Street.

One of the best ways to visit St Dunstan in the East is with Get Your Guide who offer self-guided and private tours of London’s history and attractions. Click on the links below to discover the highlights of London either at your own pace with a well-researched guidebook or with a knowledgeable local guide.

Everything Else You Need to Know to Visit St Dunstan in the East

Where to stay to visit St Dunstan in the East

We wouldn’t recommend basing where you stay in London on visiting St Dunstan in the East as it’s right in the City of London, very easily accessible and you’ll probably only spend about an hour here.

Some of our favourite areas to stay in London are:

Covent Garden – to be based in the heart of London’s hustle and bustle with the main attractions all within walking distance
Soho – alive with atmosphere and some of London’s best nightlife within touching distance
Fitzrovia – within walking distance to Covent Garden but without the price tag
Walthamstow – accessible to Central London within 20 minutes on the Victoria Line, here you’ll be out of the hustle and bustle and on the doorstep of one of London’s best food and drink scenes and so many great things to do