Tea Time in the Crpyt

Yep, you read that right. In this blog, we’re not taking tea in a fancy dining room but rather down in a thousand-year-old crypt. Novel. 

Londoners love tea. And, apparently, Londoners love church, judging by the city’s staggering number of churches. There are 47 churches within London’s square mile. And a few of them offer more than spiritual nourishment. 

St. Martin-in-the Fields, built in the 1720s, looms tall over Trafalgar Square. I’ve never gone to services in this church, but I have stopped in several times for tea in its crypt.

Tables are arranged right on top of tombstones.

This one is my favorite.

Or you can choose to take your tea in a cozy alcove.

The service is cafeteria-style, offering hot entrees and wine, along with desserts, tea, and coffee. 

Previously, I’ve ordered the traditional three-tiered afternoon tea. But my flying partners and I tried a little of everything on my last visit.

For a heartier meal, Cafe Below offers dining in the crypt of the historic St Mary-le-Bow Church. 

St Mary-le-Bow was built in 1080 by William the Conqueror’s Archbishop of Canterbury. The church was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of 1666, only to be destroyed in 1941 by the Nazis during the Blitz. Once again, persevering Londoners faithfully restored the church. However, the crypt itself, where the restaurant is located, dates back thousands of years to its 11th-century origins due to its protected location below ground. Although I didn’t see any tombstones or graves, this cafe still had the ambiance of dining in a crypt (or perhaps a posh cave).   

London has a few cafes inside churches. It’s kind of a thing. 

Not far from St. Paul’s Cathedral, you’ll find Host Cafe inside St Mary Aldermary. 

This cafe is enclosed within a medieval church, also rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of 1666. However, this one was designed in the Gothic style. It, like the others, is also currently an active church.

Unfortunately, during my visit, my tea tasted like garbage. I dumped the milk and tried again, but it still tasted like garbage. I’m not sure why, but I’m willing to give it another try in the future. 

Or perhaps, next time, I’ll visit The Wren Coffee instead. The Wren Coffee is inside St Nicholas Cole Abbey. (also close to St. Paul’s) I have yet to visit this one. But I will!  

So, if you find yourself in London needing a reprieve from the bustling city, you may want to pop into church for service or a cup of tea, perhaps a concert, and/or yoga. Because churches in London offer all sorts of food for the soul.