Following last week’s London Shoes blog about my visit to the Pizza Express Jazz Club here’s another short ‘n sweet ‘Christmassy’ Shoes piece – just to help keep everyone in the festive spirit.
In the lead up to Christmas 2025 – my London Shoes (accompanied by Mrs Shoes) attended a Carol Service at London’s magnificent ‘SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL’ London SE1 – right next to the southern end of London Bridge (aka, by me – as the ‘Dark Side’) – and just a few hundred yards from London Bridge Station.
The service is an annual event held by my (and Mrs Shoes for a decade) old employee Barclays Bank – which I could never get time to attend when physically at work – but, in my retirement, can quite easily rock up to now – and an annual event that I try my best to attend, as it always helps towards getting me (and I’m a right proper Grinch) into a seasonal mood!!!
Southwark Cathedral itself has an amazing 1,000 year old history – which I will briefly cover-off.
It started life as a monastery way back in AD 606 founded by the first Bishop of London – and was formerly known as the ‘Cathedral Church of St. Saviour and St. Mary Overie’ (‘Overie’ meaning ‘Over the River’)
Its original structure was made of wood – but by the 9th Century it had been rebuilt in stone.
The actual location of Southwark Cathedral is of great historical importance as it stands on the south bank of the River Thames, near the site of what was once a Roman bridge that connected the City of London with the south of the River – making it an important place of worship and a hub of London’s cultural and economic activity.
One of the most amazing aspects of Southwark Cathedral is its incredible architecture. The building is made up of many different architectural styles, that reflect the work done to it throughout the past centuries.
Inside the cathedral there are some magnificent stained-glass windows – some amazing woodwork, especially choir stalls, and the intricate carvings on the tombs and memorials.
William Shakespeare was once a resident of the Southwark Parish – and there is a stained-glass window in the Cathedral that commemorates him. His younger brother Edmund is buried there.
In fact, over the centuries, the Southwark Cathedral has been a bit of a magnet for London playwrights / poets / actors / dramatists etc – as there are quite a few buried there.
Charles Dickens was a frequent visitor to Southwark Cathedral – and it is said that he based many of his characters, especially ecclesiastical ones, on people he observed and socialised with at the Cathedral.
John Harvard – the man who went on the found the famous US Harvard University – was a Londoner by birth and was baptised at Southwark Cathedral in 1607 – and today, there is a small chapel within the Cathedral, that is named after him.
Inside, there is a memorial to those that lost their lives in the tragic Marchioness disaster.
In 2001 Nelson Mandela opened a new wing to the Cathedral.
Over the centuries Southwark Cathedral has shown strength and resilience – (a bit like the Londoner’s surrounding it!!)
Being on the southern banks of the River Thames, Southwark Cathedral survived the worst of the Great Fire of London in 1666.
During WW2 there were over 1,600 German bombs dropped on Southwark – but fortunately Southwark Cathedral got off lightly compared to all the buildings surrounding it – it survived the ravages of war – as it only experienced minimal bomb damage.
The Cathedral has a massive 1897 built organ – made by a company called ‘Lewis & Co’ who were based in Brixton.
Today – this historic and iconic London landmark is a very popular tourist attraction – with loads of events taking place inside its doors – activities for all ages.
As for the Carol Service my London Shoes attended, the Barclays Brass Band and Barclays Choir, along with a packed to the rafters congregation – banged out all the old Christmas Carol favourites – made the service a really happy and very seasonal event.
Hopefully (God willing) – my London Shoes will still be around to attend the Southwark Cathedral ‘Carol Service’ event again next year!!
It really is worth checking out Southwark Cathedral , if you ever find yourself down London Bridge way – you certainly won’t be disappointed.
And, as the song says……”it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”
Hope you enjoyed the read and accompanying photos
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Below is the entire gallery of photos taken to accompany this London Shoes blog
Southwark Cathedral itself has an amazing 1,000 year old history
It started life as a monastery way back in AD 606 founded by the first Bishop of London – and was formerly known as the ‘Cathedral Church of St. Saviour and St. Mary Overie’ (‘Overie’ meaning ‘Over the River’)
One of the most amazing aspects of Southwark Cathedral is its incredible architecture. The building is made up of many different architectural styles, that reflect the work done to it throughout the past centuries.
The ‘Lancelot’s Link’ passageway inside Southwark Cathedral leading to the main Nave of the church.
Me & my London Shoes – inside the amazing Southwark Cathedral
The service my London Shoes attended is an annual event hosted by Barclays Bank, my old employers Barclays Bank (who Mrs Shoes, also worked-for a decade) I could never get time-off to attend when physically at work – but in my retirement, I can now quite easily rock up to it. It’s an event that I always try my best to attend, as I find it helps towards getting me into the seasonal mood!!!(and I’m a right proper Grinch)
Southwark Cathedral has incredible architecture. The building is made up of many different architectural styles, that reflect the work done to it throughout the past centuries.
William Shakespeare was once a resident of the Southwark Parish – and there is a stained-glass window in the Cathedral that commemorates him. His younger brother Edmund is buried there.
Inside Southwark Cathedral there are some magnificent stained-glass windows – some amazing woodwork, especially choir stalls, and the intricate carvings on the tombs and memorials.
Me & my accomplice for the day Mrs Shoes (aka Angela) – inside the magnificent Southwark Cathedral
John Harvard – the man who went on the found the famous US Harvard University – was a Londoner by birth and was baptised at Southwark Cathedral in 1607 – and today, there is a small chapel within the Cathedral, that is named after him.
Southwark Cathedral has a massive 1897 built organ – made by a company called ‘Lewis & Co’ who were based in Brixton-London SW9
Me 7 my London Shoes alongside Southwark Cathedral’s historic 1897 built pipe organ.
During WW2 there were over1,600 German bombs dropped on Southwark – but fortunately Southwark Cathedral got off lightly compared to all the buildings surrounding it – it survived the ravages of war – as it only experienced minimal bomb damage
Mrs Shoes – inside Southwark Cathedral – lighting a few candles in memory of those close friends & family who are no longer around to enjoy Christmas
The iconic Southwark Cathedral is such a magnificent place to host this annual Carol Service – with fantastic accompaniment from the Barclays Brass Band and Barclays Choir.
One of the all time classic carols – that were knocked-out by the Barclays Brass Band and Barclays Choir
Another of the all time classic carols – that was knocked-out by the Barclays Brass Band and Barclays Choir
For the Barclays Bank annual Carol Service, the Barclays Brass Band and Barclays Choir knocked out all the old Christmas Carol favourites, accompanied by a packed congregation
Staff at the Cathedral said that it was the biggest turn-out they have ever had for this particular annual event – it was standing room only at the start of the service.
A packed Southwark Cathedral congregation – awaiting the commencement of the Barclays annual Carol Service
The Cathedral Choir – kick-started the service
The musicians the made up the Barclays Brass Band – were great – knocking out many of the all time favourite carols
The Barclays Choir were in good voice – filling the Cathedral with seasonal musical accompaniment.
A packed congregation inside Southwark Cathedral – enjoying the Barclays Bank Annual Carol Service
When the Carol Service had ended, my London Shoes (accompanied by Mrs Shoes – ie Angela) – had the opportunity the wander around and take a closer look at the magnificent building that is “Southwark Cathedral”.
Thank you Mr and Mrs Shoes, for all your videos much appreciated 🙏 wishing you a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
From a sasanac in Southampton
Thank you Jane – and here’s wishing you a Happy Christmas and a happy healthy 2026
Also – thank you for being such a loyal ‘Shoes’ follower (even though you are a sasanac :-)- it is very much appreciate – long may it last
Best wishes……GEOFF (www.londonshoes.blog)
That’s a really nice collection of photographs of the Cathedral’s stunning interior and of course interesting info as usual, and I do always enjoy the ‘short & sweet’ blogs as much as the lengthier ones.
Did you not bump into Hodge the Cat? He’s very famous with a huge social media following? – hope you get to meet him on your next visit 😻
I saw ‘Hodge’ the cat on visit to the Cathedral – but he was probably not inclined to show himself at this event with all the noise and people!
‘Hodge’ the church cat, generally loves to parade around the church when it’s packed …. Maybe he’d had a busy day though and was having a snooze x
When I last visited Southwark Cathedral, I saw ‘Hodge’ the cat snoozing in his bed at the back of the church. I was lucky to see this famous feline!
It looks like we were sat just a bit behind you, did you stop for the mince pies & mulled wine?
Once again Geoff you’ve shown us some wonderful photos brings back so many happy memories of time spent in London