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Fleet StreetSt. Clement Danes ChurchStrand/Fleet Street London WC2 This lovely church stands in the middle of Fleet Street/Strand, and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The elegant spire is by James Gibbs. A church on this site dated back to the time when the Danes over-ran London in the Dark Ages. The legend has it that some Danish men married Saxon wives in the church of St Clements, and they were thus allowed to stay in the City when King Alfred expelled all the rest of the Danes from his Kingdom.
Nearest Tube station: Temple (District Line). |
St. Clement Dane's Church name is well known to generations of children who sing the nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons Say the Bells of St. Clements." The Church was badly damaged during World War II, and when it was restored it was dedicated as the Central Church of the RAF. It contains the badges of World War II Squadrons in slate set in the marble floor. The restoration is faithful to Wren's original design for the interior of the church. It is frequently used for concerts, and is well worth a visit.