Description
St Clement Danes formerly had a good-sized churchyard, but this was severely reduced as a result of roadworks in 1855 and now remains as a small railed enclosure around the church. A church has existed here since the C9th; the Wren church of 1682 was severely damaged in WWII and restored by the RAF by 1958 when it was re-consecrated. In its small surrounding churchyard is the statue of Samuel Johnson who was a member of the congregation, and nearby are recent statues including that to Bomber Harris.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | The Central Church of The Royal Air Force |
|---|---|
| Site location | The Strand |
| Postcode | WC2R 1DH |
| What3Words | ///lofts.third.clash |
| Type of Site | Churchyard |
| Borough | Westminster |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | Church open daily 9am-4pm except bank holidays and for special services |
| Events | Musical events in church; exhibitions in Crypt |
| Public Transport | Tube: Temple (District, Circle). |
| Research Updated | 1 September 2011 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
St Clement Danes, whose bells are reputedly those referred to in the children's nursery rhyme that say 'Oranges and lemons', formerly had a good-sized churchyard. This was severely reduced as a result of roadworks when The Strand was altered in 1855 and by 1896 it consisted of a mere quarter of an acre. It remains as a small railed enclosure around the church, which is little more than a traffic island. The first church here was probably a timber structure built in the C9th in the 'old village' (Alde Whyche) on the north bank of the Thames by Danish settlers expelled from the City of London in the time of King Alfred. Their connections with the sea account for its dedication to St Clement who was patron saint of sailors. The church was rebuilt a number of times, including by William the Conqueror after 1022 and again in the Middle Ages, and over the ensuing centuries St Clement Danes came under the remit of a number of different bodies including Westminster Abbey, the Knights Templar (from 1170-1312), the Austin Friars and the Bishop of Exeter. Although it survived the Great Fire of London of 1666, its structure had deteriorated by 1680 and Christopher Wren designed the new building of 1682, with its steeple of 1719 designed by James Gibbs.
The church was severely damaged by bombing on 10 May 1941, leaving only the tower, steeple and external walls standing. In 1953 the remains of the building was passed to the Air Council who launched a worldwide appeal for its restoration as a memorial to all allied airmen who had fought in defence of Britain in both world wars. Within two years £250,000 was raised and restoration began. St Clement Danes was re-consecrated on 19 October 1958 as the Central Church of the Royal Air Force. In the churchyard at the east end of the church is a statue by Percy Hetherington Fitzgerald of Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-84) who was a member of the congregation, which was installed in 1910. In front of the church is a statue of William Ewart Gladstone by Hamo Thornycroft that was erected in 1905. Also by the main church entrance are two statues that commemorate heroes of the RAF, that of Air Chief Marshal Lord Hugh Dowding (1882-1970), erected in 1988, and of Sir Arthur 'Bomber' Harris (1892-1984), Marshal of the RAF, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1992, both statues the work of Faith Winter. The south wall also has plaques commemorating members of the RAF.
Apparently King Harold I was buried at St Clement Danes in 1040, although his body was later dug up and cast into marshes by the river by his brother Harthacnut, who briefly took the throne. St Clement Danes had a removed burial ground to the north on Portugal Street, which was known as the Green Ground. This was later within King's College Hospital although in 1896 Mrs Basil Holmes described it as a half acre in extent, for the use of the hospital, and was neatly kept with grass, trees and seats.
The church was severely damaged by bombing on 10 May 1941, leaving only the tower, steeple and external walls standing. In 1953 the remains of the building was passed to the Air Council who launched a worldwide appeal for its restoration as a memorial to all allied airmen who had fought in defence of Britain in both world wars. Within two years £250,000 was raised and restoration began. St Clement Danes was re-consecrated on 19 October 1958 as the Central Church of the Royal Air Force. In the churchyard at the east end of the church is a statue by Percy Hetherington Fitzgerald of Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-84) who was a member of the congregation, which was installed in 1910. In front of the church is a statue of William Ewart Gladstone by Hamo Thornycroft that was erected in 1905. Also by the main church entrance are two statues that commemorate heroes of the RAF, that of Air Chief Marshal Lord Hugh Dowding (1882-1970), erected in 1988, and of Sir Arthur 'Bomber' Harris (1892-1984), Marshal of the RAF, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1992, both statues the work of Faith Winter. The south wall also has plaques commemorating members of the RAF.
Apparently King Harold I was buried at St Clement Danes in 1040, although his body was later dug up and cast into marshes by the river by his brother Harthacnut, who briefly took the throne. St Clement Danes had a removed burial ground to the north on Portugal Street, which was known as the Green Ground. This was later within King's College Hospital although in 1896 Mrs Basil Holmes described it as a half acre in extent, for the use of the hospital, and was neatly kept with grass, trees and seats.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ309810 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | RAF |
| Site Management | RAF |
| Dates | C9th onwards |
| Listed Structures | LBI: St Clement Danes Church. LBII: Statue of W E Gladstone; Statue of Samuel Johnson; St Clements Watch House |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Westminster |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Strand |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Area of Special Archaeological Priority |
| Other LA Designation | Area 7 Direction; within CAZ Central Activities Zone; St Clement Danes: Landmark Building |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple is 1 of the 4 Inns of Court, along with Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn. It is possible that there have been gardens since the Knights Templar established themselves here in c.1160. Leased to students of the law since the C14th, in 1608 the land was granted by a Charter of James I to the Benchers of the Inner and Middle Temple. By the mid C15th the buildings and gardens had been separated into the Inner and the Middle Temple although formal division took place in 1732. Middle Temple's gardens and buildings were reworked in mid-late C17th when the gardens were enclosed by brick wall. They included a Benchers' Garden, terrace south of the Hall and the main Lower Garden below the terrace. In 1681-82 Fountain Court was formed; 2 mulberry trees were planted here in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Jubilee. The main garden today is little changed from 1870s when Victoria Embankment was constructed and doubled the area of the garden. Elm Court has a small formal garden with fountain; and Hare Court has Mediterranean-style planting.
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple is 1 of the 4 Inns of Court, along with Inner Temple, Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn. It is possible that there have been gardens since the Knights Templar established themselves here in c.1160. Leased to students of the law since the C14th, in 1608 the land was granted by a Charter of James I to the Benchers of the Inner and Middle Temple. By the mid C15th the buildings and gardens had been separated into the Inner and the Middle Temple although formal division took place in 1732. Middle Temple's gardens and buildings were reworked in mid-late C17th when the gardens were enclosed by brick wall. They included a Benchers' Garden, terrace south of the Hall and the main Lower Garden below the terrace. In 1681-82 Fountain Court was formed; 2 mulberry trees were planted here in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Jubilee. The main garden today is little changed from 1870s when Victoria Embankment was constructed and doubled the area of the garden. Elm Court has a small formal garden with fountain; and Hare Court has Mediterranean-style planting.
St Mary's Church was built in the late C12th by the Knights Templar who moved here from Holborn. The round church was first consecrated in 1185; a larger chancel was added and its consecration in 1240 was attended by Henry III. The Knights Templar were dissolved in 1312 and in 1324 their Temple property was given to the Knights of the Order of St John, who subsequently leased it to a society of students of the common laws of England. This later formed into two societies, those of the Inner and the Middle Temple, who in 1608 were granted the freehold in perpetuity for use as a place of study and residence. The Temple Church escaped the Great Fire of 1666 but was badly damaged in 1941 and restored in 1954. North of the church a paved churchyard has a number of tombs, beyond this is a raised area laid out as a small garden containing the C18th memorial to Iohannes Hiccocks, the tomb of Oliver Goldsmith, and gravestones set into the paving.
The Master's Garden is located between Temple Church and the Master's House, the residence of the Master of the Temple at the Temple Church. Reached by a flight of steps from Church Court, the L-shaped garden is on a raised plateau due to its position over the C17th catacombs, which were created adjacent to the church in order to provide more burial space. Damage by WWII bombing resulted in damage to the Master's House and the loss of a number of mature trees and other plants in the garden. The garden's layout today dates from post-war renovation, and the planting reflects the fact that the soil is free-draining due to its position over the catacombs, with plants chosen for their ability to well withstand dry conditions.
