8 Hart Street, London, EC3R 7NB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7488 4318
This small mediaeval church, close to Fenchurch Street railway station, was saved from the Great Fire of London in 1666 by Samuel Pepys, the diarist, who lies buried under the Sanctuary along with his wife, Elizabeth Pepys.
Badly bombed in World War II, the church has now been superbly restored. According to the burial register, as well as Samuel Pepys and a great many victims of the plague of 1665, Mother Goose was buried in the church on 14th September 1586.
Charles Dickens was also very fond of the church. He nicknamed it the 'Churchyard of Saint Ghastly Grim' and wrote about it in The Uncommercial Traveller.
In the small park across the road from St Olave's there is a plaque, which marks the spot where Samuel Pepys worked in the navy office. The office building was destroyed by fire in 1673. The park is officially called Seething Lane Garden but many call it Pepys' Garden.
Opening Times
Monday - Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Nearest Underground (Tube) Station: Tower Hill