Temple and the knights

I had tried to visit Temple church last summer, but unfortunately it was closed when I was able to go. I knew that this year I had to make sure I finally got a proper visit! The area is a little bit of an island within the City (square mile area) of London. It is the oldest section of London and many of the surrounding buildings are/were historic as well. Sadly, many of them were destroyed by the Great Fire of 1666 or by subsequent development. Luckily, Temple still remains.

Church in the City area

Nice streets in the City

Entering Temple

Part of the square inside Temple. There are many offices housed within the buildings.

Gardens behind the church

Temple church

Interior of the church. Scenes from The DaVinci Code were shot here, I believe.

Effigies of some of the Templar knights buried here

Gilbert Marshal

Rose window

Stained-glass windows

Memorial plaque along the wall

Of course, after any big visit, there's always a little time
for the pub! This one is historic as you can see from the plaque.

Interior of the pub. I think we were watching Wimbledon.

Nearby is Somerset House. It contains several museums and a
lovely courtyard, seen here.

It was a nice warm, sunny day during the "heat wave" as Londoners
were calling it. (It was in the 80s all week which was unusual it seems.)
Some kids were playing in the fountains while sweating parents looked on.
I just had an ice lolly (popcicle).