Next to Barts Hospital*, allegedly one of Britain's top teaching hospitals, stands the Priory Church of St. Bartholomew the Great. A destination in itself for services and music, the 12th-century church also offers a café in its 15th-century cloisters. As a supporter of independent shops and a boycotter of Starbucks, I really enjoy this café for its historical atmosphere, simplicity, and quiet.
Located off West Smithfield, a circular square between Barts Hospital and Smithfield Market, the Church is hidden behind a narrow half-timbered three-storied building punctured by an archway at ground level. Passing through the arch into the churchyard, the sounds of the City suddenly disappear among the leafy trees and green grass. Benches are occupied by several people quietly reading or enjoying the good weather we are having. Stepping into the church, one immediately encounters the wafting fragrance of incense, transporting one further from the hub-bub. One has to pay for entry into the church; after all, it has been made famous by appearing in at least nine films,. If you want to know more about the films rather than just wandering around by yourself, you can join a movie tour (see the Church's website for details).
The café, however, is open to the public and can even be booked in the evening for private functions. Very nice indeed. Otherwise, it's 9-4 on weekdays (food 11.30-3.00), closed on Saturdays, but open before and after services on Sundays. The website says it has jazz on the second Friday of every month...I wonder what time? Must go.
* The full name of the hospital is St Bartholomew's Hospital. Note that the St does not have a period (full stop) after it. Abbreviations which include the last letter of the word are not punctuated (like Dr). But then doctors who work in the medical profession are usually referred to as Mr (without a period). Next, the St stands for saint – not pronounced sAint, but 'sint'. (This is one of the shibboleths, a secret word used by the British to test your nationality; if you say sAint, they'll know you're American straight off).
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| ...but 4 stories in back! And two buildings no less. |
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| Churchyard entryway, 3 stories in front... |
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| Priory Church of St Bartholomew's the Great |
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| Cloister Café |
3 comments:
Yes, "St" is "S(a)int". Maybe that's why the Brits don't abbreviate "Street" as "St." or "St". (Hey, you USAns, see how that sentence would have been ruined if you stuck with the stupid US convention of putting all full stops/periods INSIDE quotation marks?) If you send a letter to someone on Doughty Street, you need to spell out the word 'Street'.
Sadly, I have to report that the café has suspended its jazz gatherings. No word on if or when they might resume.
That has got to be one of the worst articles I've ever read. It makes me wonder if there's another England somewhere in the world, that you are living in. As well as insinuating that one of the best teaching hospitals in the country is only 'allegedly' so, you say that West Smithfield is a 'circular square'? West Smithfield is actually the area outside Smithfield Market, and the circle halfway along it, is Smithfield Rotunda Garden. The cafe was just off Little Britain, but not sure if it's still there. Not been for a few years.
As for the last paragraph, words fail me! what a load of............
Firstly, written correctly, both Dr. and St. DO have full stops after them. Secondly, only doctors who reach the lofty heights of becoming a consultant, are referred to as 'Mr.', thirdly, whether you say saint or 'sint' is purely down to your regional accent. Londoners will generally say 'sint', whereas elsewhere they will say saint, as indeed, I do. oooh and did you know the British are a secret society that uses shibboleths? Dunno what they are, but I've never used them! p.s. my daughter-in-law is American, and I've never even noticed if she uses 'Saint' or 'sint'
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