A visual celebration of London’s most iconic and historically significant churches, ‘Great Churches of London’ offers readers a journey through stunning architecture, rich history, and spiritual heritage. With breathtaking photography, Derry Brabbs highlights these masterpieces in a way that will captivate history enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

Accuracy: ★★★★★
The historical and architectural details provided are precise and well-researched. Brabbs’ expertise shines through as he delves into the stories behind each church, giving readers an authentic appreciation of their significance.

Perspective: ★★★★☆
The author’s reverence for these sacred spaces is evident in every word and image. However, the perspective leans heavily on the architectural and historical aspects, with less emphasis on the personal or community significance of the churches today.

Relevance: ★★★☆☆
While not essential reading for all, this book holds great value for those interested in London’s history, architecture, or religious landmarks. It may have limited appeal to a broader audience, but it’s a treasure trove for its target readership.

Engagement: ★★★★☆
The stunning visuals and descriptive prose make this book engaging for anyone with a passion for architecture or history. However, for readers seeking narrative-driven content, it may feel more like a coffee-table book than an immersive experience.

Readability: ★★★★★
The language is clear and descriptive, making the detailed accounts accessible to a wide audience. Brabbs strikes a balance between academic depth and readability, ensuring the content is both informative and enjoyable.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
For readers who appreciate art, architecture, and history, this book is a delightful exploration. The photographs are captivating, and the accompanying text enriches the viewing experience. Those without a specific interest in the subject might find it less engrossing.


‘Great Churches of London’ is a visually stunning and informative tribute to London’s ecclesiastical landmarks. While it may not appeal to everyone, it’s an invaluable resource for architecture enthusiasts, history buffs, and admirers of sacred spaces. Derry Brabbs’ passion and expertise make this a compelling addition to any collection focused on London’s cultural heritage.

Derry Brabbs is an acclaimed photographer, and for good reason. So I was excited to see this book pop up on NetGalley! The photographs in this book are stunning. And while some are churches that you have most likely visited if you’ve ever been in London, there are some lesser-known churches that are stunning that we have a peek into. (If you live in London or are able to visit, please go visit them for the rest of us!)

There is a small write-up on the history of each church, and I found it fascinating but not overwhelming. I think that this is a fantastic book if you want to read a chapter or two at a time but don’t have hours to sit down and read a lot at once. It also didn’t feel repetitive or basic to me as someone fairly knowledgeable, so I would recommend this widely!

This was a joy to read! The photos are gorgeous! I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Derry Brabbs,Marcus Binney, Quarto Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is an interesting book about churches in London. It had interesting summaries of each church, as well as nice interior and exterior photos of each one. I really enjoyed reading this fun book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Great Churches of London is a lovely guide to the history and imagery of the churches of London. With stunning photographs starting from medieval churches, this covers the history of the most important or notable churches in London.

I would like to thank Netgalley and
Quarto Publishing Group for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful book with lots of churches I’ve never heard of and plan to visit.

A fascinating guide to the churches of London, each page is jam packed with information about each churches history, its architect and whether it played a part in or was damaged during the war. Filled with beautiful photographs of each church, you get a glimpse of stained glass windows, alters, shrines, statues and more. This would be the perfect book to enjoy while visiting each to the featured churches.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this arc.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was an interesting read about the various churches in London. The gorgeous pictures were great as well. If one is a fan of architecture, you’ll enjoy this book.

This would be ideal as a companion for a long walk around London, were it not actually a coffee table book. But hey, e-book versions do exist, too. That said, this is not a quickly-read travel guide – and the chronological structure of it all here does prove it's not about taking us from A-B when it comes to following in the creators' footsteps.

What we have is a tiny essay regarding the history of each building, followed by two or three glorious spreads of photos, that take us from the bluntest exterior shot (St Katherine Cree dwarfed by that there Gherkin building) in to the most wondrous stained-glass (Holborn's St Etheldreda's, perhaps) and down to the smaller details of mosaic, carpentry and other skills of craftsmen of yore. Every photo is pin-sharp, fabulously lit, and very well captioned as well.

What it doesn't cover is cathedrals, other faiths, masonic lodges, and separate chapels that are part of greater establishments with a different focus – such as the wonderful and free-to-visit one at King's College. But what it intended to do it does very well indeed – the facts are nicely presented, even the most mediocre modern brick effort looks like it's worth a pilgrimage, and it's done with gravitas and yet an eye to a popular audience. To the right reader it's highly giftable, but if they too don't feel it deserves to live on a coffee table, then don't be surprised.

An interesting read on the great and beautiful churches in London. Informative and full of stunning photography.

I will definitely recommend this book. This book introduces the beautiful historic churches in London. It is loaded with beautiful and impressive photos of these churches. Reading this book is a great immersive visual journey and offers great aesthetic pleasure. Readers can also learn a lot about these great heritages through the accompanied text. The history of each site is introduced in detail. This book will be of great interest to people who would like to appreciate the beauty of historic English architecture, as well as people interested in the history of the London churches.

Quarto books are always beautiful to look at, and ‘Great Churches of London’ is no exception. This book is knowledgeable, informative and full of architectural detail, yet understandable enough for the layman. It is presented in a sympathetically religious tone appropriate to the content but is in no way excluding for those simply interested in the beauty and history of the subject. The only shortcoming is that the book is a little heavily weighted towards the Anglo-Catholic. But then again, by the nature and style of these churches, it will be the Anglo-Catholic architectural and artistic features that makes many of these churches ‘Great’!
As with so many Quarto publications, it is the simply wonderful photography which makes this a truly stunning book. I just wish there had been a little more room for photographs of every detail highlighted by the text.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Wow! There is some extraordinary architecture, stone work and wood work in the churches covered here. They are all works of art and then there are the amazing stain glass windows. The book is visually stunning.

It covers a vast stretch of time and styles. Some of the older ones could tell some fascinating stories. Wars, fires, wear and tear and yet they still stand. Magnificent. There are also interesting tidbits about the history of the churches and the people whose lives and deaths were entwined in them. Short of taking a trip to London to see them in person, this book will provide more than a taste. Great book. Five purrs and two paws up.

There are so many locations here that I cannot wait to visit soon, great descriptions and beautiful photography.

As a church architecture aficionado, I enjoyed the authentic love for and deep knowledge of some of London's architectural jewels. I also appreciated that it highlighted churches equally fascinating to the more familiar greats such as Mary Woolnonth and my personal favourite London church St Bartholomew the Great

This is a great book to have in a historian's library but would also make a great travel companion

Beautiful photographs of some of London’s great churches. Rather than categorizing by location, the churches are categorized by date: Medieval and Tudor, Baroque, Later Georgian, Victorian Edwardian and 20th Century. Somewhat short on description and history, I would see this as more of a stunning picture book.

I have singled some out for a revisit (All Saints, Margaret Street, St a George’s Hanover Square) and other for a first visit (St Cyprian’s, St Mary Magdalene, Paddington)

This was one of the most beautifully photographed books I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing in a very long time! The photos make me really, really want to visit these churches during my next trip to England. Unfortunately, the format that I have received has made the printing so very small that it is impossible to read. So I am not able to offer a comprehensive review of the book at this time. Once the book is released, I will definitely be checking it out at my local library. At that time I will update my review.

A sumptuously illustrated book as would be expected of Derry Brabbs. This book provides an overview of the key churches to visit in London from each period. This gives the reader and hopefully inspired traveller, the key places to include on a visit to the capital. A good range of interior and exterior images are shown alongside a potted history of each building. There are some well known examples as well as lesser known ones, the book is also good at getting you to view a wide range of styles, some of which I may have overlooked but have enjoyed viewing them nonetheless.

To conclude a great introduction to some of the churches of London, beautiful photographs and inspirational. Would heartily recommend.

If like me, the only church in London you're familiar with is Westminster Abbey, then this book is for you! A wonderful short guide of 40 different London churches across different periods in English history.

See the remarkable craftsmanship in marble, brick, stone, wood, metal, paint, glass, cloth and even mosaic. Learn about why there is a Handel and Hendrix museum. What happened in London in 1066 that affected most churches. Which ones survived German bombing? In which chapel can you see an angel actually carved by one of Queen Victoria's daughters? So much to learn and see!

*Thanks to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Publishing for an eARC*

Wowwwww, this book is a stunner! I loved nearly everything about it--only "nearly" because I discovered with this read that twentieth-century church architecture styles are not typically my jam, LOL. (And the Christian Scientist church seemed a bit out of place with the rest, as well--but just my two cents.)

The entire book is brilliantly photographed (There were pictures! In the eARC! Yay! :D), with plenty of photos per location--another nice bonus. And the captions and text were super helpful; I spent almost as much time reading those and learning about the locations as I did looking at the pictures.

I also loved that I didn't know about most of these places--only recognized one or two--so I really could dive in without any preconceived notions and just be ready to learn and enjoy.

Churches and London are two of my favorite topics, and I can see myself revisiting this book again and again down the line. It's so very pretty, and informative--a wonderful combination.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.