Visiting The Royal Philatelic Society London
And Abchurch Lane …
If you find yourself, or your guest, visiting a Thursday meeting at the Royal Philatelic Society London with a bit of time to spare before the display opens at 1.00pm, and you are wondering how you can I spend the time nearby, you may find this useful.
Before you leave make a note in the registration book to show you are no longer on site and sign in again when you return.
Abchurch Lane
There are a remarkable number of historical philatelic connections around Abchurch Lane.
If you turn left and walk along Abchurch Lane to Lombard Street, crossing over King William’s Street, on the corner of Abchurch Lane and Lombard Street is the site of the Post Office from 1678 to 1829. Opposite are Change Alley (previously Exchange Alley) and Birchin Lane. In the 1860s this area was a hotspot for the manic, early stamp-collecting craze. Collectors and “dealers” (often young clerks and boys) gathered nightly to buy, sell and exchange stamps. The Stamp-Collector’s Magazine September 1863 reported that the crowds became so large and unruly that they obstructed traffic, leading to regular police intervention. The area is now a more orderly home for serious philately, with the Royal Philatelic Society London opening the new headquarters at 15 Abchurch Lane in 2019.
The criteria for my selection are that I have visited the place, it is within walking distance of the Royal, interesting, free to enter, and can be fitted into your day whilst allowing you time to look at the display and waiting for the meeting to start at 4.00pm.
Abchurch Yard?
Turn right and next door to the Royal is St Mary’s in Abchurch Yard. https://www.stmaryabchurch.org.uk/
The church is open to wander round at no cost unless you wish to make a donation. This a venue for recitals and services. The original church dated from Saxon times was lost in the Fire of London. This Christopher Wren church is almost as he left it and is being conserved. There is an interesting painted dome and wood carvings by Grinling Gibbons.
In the Yard there are a number of restaurants and eating places. For those wanting to save their money for that special philatelic item, there are also small supermarkets selling sandwiches nearby.
A bit of shopping?
Leadenhall Market https://leadenhallmarket.co.uk/ is an historical Victorian shopping arcade that is worth a look.
It is about ten minutes’ walk away from Abchurch Lane. It is a great place to escape the rain whilst you look for something new to wear (Hobbs, Reiss, and Barbour), or a new book (Waterstones), or something for the kitchen or garden (Robert Dyas).
You will often have to negotiate guided tour groups as Leadenhall lies on the remains of the Forum and Basilica of Roman Londinium. The building and land were given to the City of London by Dick Whittington in 1411.
A note for those who enjoy searching for a bargain there is a TK Max. You may miss the tiny sign but look up and there it is. It is on your route to, or returning from, Leadenhall, on the corner of Lombard Street and Gracechurch Street near New Look. Are you interested in iconic modern buildings? Abutting Leadenhall is the grade1 listed “inside outside out” Lloyd’s Building. Designed in 1986 by Richard Rogers (You cannot wander inside unless on business but worth a look as you pass.)
Do you like museums?
The Bank of England Museum https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum is only five minutes’ walk away from Abchurch Lane. It is free to enter and has some interesting things to read and try. The exhibition changes so worth visiting more than once. It is an odd sensation that below your feet is so much gold. The special events tend to be at times that do not fit with the Royal meeting days but it is worth checking their website.
A bit of history or space to unwind and lift your spirits?
The Guildhall is just eight minutes’ walk from Abchurch Yard, the heart of City government since the Middle Ages. Pause a while in the square to take in the mix of medieval and modern architectural styles and the Gothic entrance to the Guildhall. (Sadly, access to the Great Hall is limited to pre-arranged visits.)
The Guildhall Art Gallery https://www.thecityofldn.com/guildhall-gallery-and-amphitheatre/ is on your right. They have world famous masterpieces (including a Constable). Particularly strong in Victorian and some choice Pre-Raphaelite pictures. You can wonder round for free as you wish, no need to book, but I would recommend, if you get there for 12.15 or 1.15, that you join the free guided tour which ends in the Roman Amphitheatre below. Again, no need to book. Just let them know you have come for the tour as you go through security. It takes about an hour.
As you leave the square outside, take a moment to find the black paving stones marking out the site of the yet to be revealed amphitheatre underneath.
More Historic Churches?
Yes, there are over fifty churches within the Square Mile of London. Providing a quiet place or a garden in which to sit and reflect.
St Michael Paternoster https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Michael_Paternoster_Royal was founded by Dick Whittington, the four times Lord Mayor of London. It is another Wren church but it was severely damaged during the London Blitz of WWII and was restored between 1966 and 1968. Dick Whittington had a house next door to the church. There is a window in the church depicting him. It is in College Street a small offshoot off Upper Thames Street a little way behind Cannon Street, with a small square for office lunch eaters.
All Hallows By-The-Tower https://www.ahbtt.org.uk/ is near the Tower of London and worth a visit. There is a small collection of historic artefacts in the museum in the crypt which includes some Cinderella stamps issued in 1943 and sent to donors who gave at least 5 shillings to the rebuilding fund.
An outdoor space to sit to eat your sandwiches?
The Postman’s Park – Watt’s Memorial Garden https://postmanspark.org.uk/ is a bit further away being sixteen minutes’ walk from the Royal.
It was created out of the burial grounds of three churches and got its name in the 19th century as it was a popular spot for Post Office employees to sit. It was created to commemorate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. There are sixty-two memorial tablets to individuals who lost their lives whilst attempting to save another. The most recent is 2007.
A garden in the sky or on the ground?
There are two sky high gardens near the Royal. Both are free but the Garden at 120 https://fen-court.com/garden-at-120 does not require pre-booked tickets. Visiting at 10.40 there was no queue. There is an airport-like security check before you travel in the lift. When you step out onto the 15th floor, there is a garden with seasonal flowers. (It was wisteria in bloom in May). It is pretty, and amazing when you think you are so far from the ground. But it is the view of London’s skyline that is even more amazing.
As well as looking round at the famous landmarks, you can look down on the construction workers below, like tiny ants, building 50 Fenchurch complex. The Medieval tower of All Hallows Staining which survived the Great Fire, and used to be a quiet retreat surrounded by a small garden is now suspended on 45ft stilts whilst a huge development continues around it.
Back to ground, literally, a short walk away is St Dunstan in the East. Heavily damaged in the 1666 Great Fire, the Wren church was destroyed in the Blitz. In 1971, this skeleton of a church was made into a peaceful oasis between the Tower of London and Monument. There is a magical feel to this place that has survived so much. A place for quiet lunches, and relaxing in a “hidden gem” setting.
This page is curated and updated by Wendy Hardy:
“I attended the Royal as a guest for a few meetings. I was surprised when Yvonne Wheatley offered to sponsor me to join. I was accepted as a member 5th March 2024. I am a postcard collector. I like 15 Abchurch Lane as it is a place to relax in the centre of London. I missed 41 Devonshire Place as there were some amazing Charity shops nearby and the Wallace Collection with its free guided tours. When we moved to 15 Abchurch Lane in 2019, I had to find new places to wander. Initially, I found very little but gradually the list has grown. This is what I want to share, places that were nearby, free to visit, interesting, and do not take up too much time.”