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All the United Kingdom England London Café in the Crypt
AO Edited Gastro Obscura

Café in the Crypt

This coffee shop lies hidden beneath a historic church.

London, England

Added By
Sam O'Brien
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  matt565n/used with permission
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  aldinah_acb88/used with permission
Nov 2022   esj74 / Atlas Obscura User
Street entrance, other entrance also available via the church.   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
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Nov 2022   esj74 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The easiest way to identify St. Martin's-in-the-Field Church is by its signature spire. But to truly experience what makes this 18th-century church special, visitors must venture down the stairs and elevator to the crypt. There, beneath the brick-vaulted ceiling and spread across the grave-lined floor, they'll find a café. 

Café in the Crypt certainly wasn't what the builders had in mind when they constructed St. Martin's in 1726. But since most of the crypt's bodies were removed in the 1800s, the space has been repurposed as a restaurant. Now the subterranean spot is the perfect place for travelers to grab coffee, tea, and pastries after exploring Trafalgar Square. As they sip their lattes, visitors can look at the historic statues and graves that still line the cool, cavernous room. 

In addition to the café, the space also now houses a gallery and a gift shop, and frequently hosts jazz concerts.

 

Related Tags

Tea Coffee Underground Subterranean Sites Churches Restaurants Catacombs And Crypts

Community Contributors

Added By

Sam OBrien

Edited By

Gavin, beefjorky, esj74, gretchensherman75

  • Gavin
  • beefjorky
  • esj74
  • gretchensherman75

Published

October 27, 2021

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Café in the Crypt
St Martin-in-the-Fields
Trafalgar Square
London, England, WC2N 4JJ
United Kingdom
51.508791, -0.126753
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