Bevis Marks Synagogue
Bevis Marks Synagogue
4
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday
10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
About
Opened in 1701, this historic place of worship is the oldest Synagogue still in use in Britain.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: City of London
From its ancient past as a Roman trading outpost to its 21st century status as the wealthiest square mile in the world, the financial district known simply as “The City” is one of London's most historic and fascinating neighbourhoods. Here high rise office towers such as Norman Foster’s Gherkin mingle with Roman ruins and architectural marvels from virtually every era in between, including Christopher Wren's glorious St.Paul's Cathedral, and John Soane's dauntingly classicist Bank of England. This neighbourhood is also home to some of the finest restaurants and plushest hotels in Europe, in addition to an assortment of of watering holes, upscale shops, and Tube stations. During the week, the City is abuzz with white collar workers going about their business; the weekend sees this area turn into a quiet haven for sightseers.
How to get there
- Aldgate • 3 min walk
- Aldgate East • 6 min walk
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4.0
54 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
25
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
2
ems_jls
Marlboro, NJ135 contributions
Mar 2020
Our guidebook gave the address as 2 Heneage Lane but it's actually around the corner from there - go to the gate you see in the top photo here. The security/guide person was very accommodating even though we arrived 15 minutes before their 1 pm closing time on a Tuesday. If you have seen other old synagogues around the world and have a feel for them, it's definitely worth seeing. If you aren't interested in such things, then don't go - there are zillion other things you can do in London.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TillerSlave
Birmingham, UK171 contributions
Jan 2012 • Solo
Bevis Marks is one of the oldest synagogues in Europe and the oldest in the UK, started building in 1699.
Similar to the Wren Churches in the City, very simple design.
It is rather difficult to find, tucked away down an alley with very little signage.
Visits cost £4. Open on the weekday mornings from 10-30 am
Similar to the Wren Churches in the City, very simple design.
It is rather difficult to find, tucked away down an alley with very little signage.
Visits cost £4. Open on the weekday mornings from 10-30 am
Written 18 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adgino
Herzliya, Israel43 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
Firstly they charge too much money. There is only a guard/cashier; he doesn't know a thing and can't explain. Nothing in writing unless you come with a guide or guidebook you are clueless!
Written 16 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ryan c
Leicester, UK8 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
Almost all places of worship around the world (unless something exceptional such as the Vatican) do not charge people for entry, charging only for optional extras such as belltowers, crypts etc. Donations can be made but are not required. Not so the Bevis Marks synagogue, where £5 is asked for. In return you are permitted entry to a plain and unimpressive small building. There are some beautiful chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling but otherwise it is utterly ordinary. It takes just a few minutes to look around, including going upstairs, and there is precious little information about the place available. I'm sure the candle-lit services are special but the chances are you will not be visiting when one of these is taking place. If entry was free then the place barely warrants a detour, and for £5 I would say give it a big miss.
Written 9 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen A
Jerrabomberra77 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
I visited. Bevis Marks Synagogue because of some family history research I was doing. It is located in London's East End - Aldgate, which is now the business district. Just around the corner from the Aldgate tube station. It is the oldest and most notable synagogue in the UK, which is over 300 years old opening in 1701. It is listed as a grade 1 monument of outstanding national importance. Regardless of which faith you belong to, a visit to Bevis Marks while in London will not disappoint. There are opening hours, so check the web site beforehand. There's also guided tours which provides you with the history of the synagogue and of Jewish people in. London.
Written 9 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RivaK
New York City, NY427 contributions
June 2013 • Solo
This is a Sephardic synagogue that is modeled on the Israelite Synagogue in Amsterdam, which is where the original congregants came from when they were the first Jews allowed into England after Edward II expelled the Jews. There is no photography allowed inside. I got there about 10 minutes before a talk about the synagogue, which was interesting. The synagogue is located in a courtyard that is about 1 block from the building known as the Gherkin and also close to a church.
Written 20 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sultanmhussain
Greater London, UK73 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
My first time visiting a Synagogue and I enjoyed the experience. This is the oldest Synagogue in the UK and is hidden in a discreet location in the City of London. From outside the building looks like a church, which has a large gate and security guard. I had to pay £5.00 to go inside as a visitor. I learned about Jewish history in the UK. The contribution they have put into British society and determination to practice their faith without victimisation. Overall I believe if your in London you should visit this place for a educational experience.
Written 30 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClareCHS
London117 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
I'd never been in a synagogue before, and I was actually on the 'London Walk' Jewish Walking tour and this was part of the route. They made sure we were there for theSunday morning tour. Really interesting bit of social history and the Jewish faith in the UK, and particularly London. Like a previous comment mentioned - he talks for too long about one member of the community. Could have been better spent telling more about the Jewish faith, or history. But 'Maurice' the guide was interesting. Men can pick up skull caps on entrance, women do not need to cover heads. Donation only apparently, but signs up for entrance fee. There's some Cromwellian benches in there.
Written 8 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Orchestrapal
Philadelphia, PA47 contributions
My wife and I have enjoyed three Shabbat morning services at the historic synagogue. Years ago I received several long playing recordings of the minister and male choir performing excerpts from the yearly liturgy. We were particularly taken with the efficient manner in which they dispatched all fourteen verses of the Rosh Hashanah morning hymn, Eit Sha'arei Ratson, describing the binding of Isaac on Mt.
Moriah. The recordings disappeared a while back, but the memory of that dramatic piyyut still lingers. Can anyone tell me where to obtain a CD of the Bevis Marks liturgy that includes this prayer? Much obliged, Joseph Levine
Moriah. The recordings disappeared a while back, but the memory of that dramatic piyyut still lingers. Can anyone tell me where to obtain a CD of the Bevis Marks liturgy that includes this prayer? Much obliged, Joseph Levine
Written 30 July 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kazz
United Kingdom189 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
My ancestors established the first synagogue in London during the Spanish Inquisition. You can even see the plaques lining the walls with names of elders that share my surname. Tower Hamlets was once a neighborhood populated with Jewish people, culture and tradition. That has dwindled over the years but services are still held for a few.
Written 20 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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