St Martin-in-the-Fields Reviews Summary

Church and Architecture

Pros:

• "This is a truly marvelous church."
• "A lovely and peaceful old church in the heart of busy London."
• "It is a beautiful church. I couldn’t see any religious paintings or even a cross but probably didn’t look in detail however the beauty of this church is the architecture of the building; even the ceilings and windows are just beautiful."
• "Incredibly beautiful church near Trafalgar square, the chorals are amazing."
• "St Martin-in-the-Fields is a landmark church in the heart of London."
• "One of the most beautiful churches I've ever been in."
• "Beautiful architecture, well maintained building located neighbouring Trafalgar Square."

Cons:

• "Squidged into the northern corner of Trafalgar Square, with a compromised view of the magnificent frontage, and dominated by the bulk of the National Gallery."
• "Please be aware the huge columns of the interior and block the view of the stage."
• "The church itself is over grandeur with a basic structure of puritanism."
• "Although they have hired security, it looks like they need to procure some sanitation or have bins available for all the trash about."
• "Beware - if you’re at an evening concert in the winter, expect the temperature in the church to be colder than it is outside."
• "The pews are so uncomfortable and cushions are only available if you pre-order!"
• "Venue not impressive at all plus EXTREMELY rude staff."

Concerts and Music

Pros:

• "Loved, loved, loved the Bach and Vivaldi concert last Friday night!"
• "Just attended a concert rehearsal by coincidence. It was so beautiful to listen to the small group of musicians there."
• "Seen a few classical concerts here and they are simply amazing. The acoustics are a sound engineers dream."
• "The Vivaldi/Handel and Bach music was tremendously well played and the atmosphere was just excellent."
• "The intensity of the cellist and the top violinist will stay with me forever."
• "There are concerts almost all days. In weekends you can hear the best of Vivaldi, Bach, Pachelbel,... in a beautiful church performed by the best quartets, orchestras and groups."
• "I went to one of the Bach Christmas Oratorio by candlelight and it was absolutely beautiful to see the church lit up on this way."

Cons:

• "Not very professional & marred the evening hence 3*."
• "Terrible as classical concert venue - attended Tenebrae choral concert in July. The pews were uncomfortable and very tight squeeze."
• "Good quality concert, but badly signposted and we were sent to different places to use the toilet of which all were closed."
• "Please be aware of purchasing tickets for the Candlelight concerts. Promoter publishes misleading programs and issues restricted view tickets even if you paid for premium."
• "Also, sitting at the back I couldn't see anything that happens at the front, I couldn't see even the heads of the musicians, nothing at all, which was disappointing."
• "I was looking forward to a free lunch time concert. I thought I had checked the web site but I feel it is not user friendly- when I arrived there was no sign of a concert!"
• "They used to regularly have lovely concerts here, but everything changed during covid. It is now a disappointing repertoire and they have increased the seat prices."

Community and Charity Work

Pros:

• "Whatever food is not sold for the day is put out for the homeless at night. They give them a place to shower and sleep over night."
• "The church runs a soup kitchen and always provides a Christmas lunch for homeless people so is a good place to support."
• "It is a very interesting institution doing good work for the poor of the city."
• "A centre for Christian worship and community work."
• "St Martin's long history of pragmatic human rights, support and care."
• "Homelessness is such a difficult issue... ST MARTINS is a beacon in the darkness for so many."
• "This church does much to help homeless people and its profits go largely to that cause."

Cons:

• "In their crypt is a cafe and the tables are in top of gravestone, I take a dim view of that. I think that's disrespectful."
• "We had to walk pass the orderly homeless people queuing in the pouring rain for their food to get to the Crypt to buy our refreshments."
• "Local area a bit busy with tourists and a shame that you get a few stinking down at heel scrotes hanging about attracted by the near by hostel."
• "Although I beg, PLEASE stop bringing new borns that cry the whole time, and put your phone on silent when you enter!"
• "This must be the only church in London without a Christmas tree the garlands on the balcony look as though they have been there since the war."
• "All donations go to the upkeep of this beautiful church and London's homeless."
• "Obviously under bad management. Shame this beautiful space has been neglected."

Cafe and Food

Pros:

• "A reasonable variety of hot and cold dishes at reasonable prices."
• "Friendly service, delicious hit or cold food and loads of drinks to enjoy."
• "We enjoyed the most pleasing and well priced food and drinks in the crypt below."
• "The food in the vaulted café is good!"
• "Great food and tea in a beautiful ambience right on Trafalgar Square."
• "The beautifully vaulted crypt café is huge and the self-service is efficient, even when extremely busy, with a reasonable choice of food and drink available."
• "The food is always good and fresh, staff polite, prices are well placed in the foodie market of London."

Cons:

• "Unfortunately, the food wasn’t to the same standard as my previous visit a few years ago."
• "Visited the cafe downstairs for dinner and it was hugely disappointing, food was cold by the time I'd paid for it and tasted dreadful."
• "The savoury food was a little dry."
• "The cafe is a big disappointment, very expensive."
• "Cakes were not as good as they looked, nor were there a lot to choose from."
• "We went to the cafe in the crypt. Don't! It could be really quaint but... it's actually like a dreary office canteen."
• "High prices for average food."