Built by Sir Christopher Wren, St Mary-le-Bow is set well back among the clustering buildings and is very difficult to photograph - this was the best I could manage on a couple of busy days in the City.
The building was completed in 1680 and was restored after heavy war damage in 1964. The building replaced the 11th Century church which was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, although the Norman Crypt, in which is found the Court of Arches, still survives. The extension 'le Bow' comes from the11th century arches or 'bows' of the former church in the crypt.
This tower and steeple of this church are among Wren's finest achievements and house the famous "Bow Bells" within whose sound a true Cockney is born.
The bell tower is the tallest designed by Wren. It is 230 feet (70 metres) tall and the dragon weather vane at the top is 9 feet long (2.7 metres) long!
Digital photographs
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