St Clement Danes

Religious Site London church serving as RAF memorial on the Strand

On the Strand, St Clement Danes contains the Royal Air Force church and memorials; visitors note its Wren-designed architecture, stained glass and location close to the Royal Courts and Covent Garden.

Main image

St Clement Danes is an Anglican church on the Strand in central London noted for its association with the Royal Air Force; the present church dates to the late 17th century rebuild by Sir Christopher Wren.

The church interior contains memorials and plaques dedicated to RAF personnel and units, and the building functions as the RAF’s central church for services and commemorations. The exterior and tower are prominent on the Strand and are often photographed by visitors exploring central London.

A medieval parish church originally stood on the site; the current building was constructed by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London. The church was badly damaged in the Second World War and subsequently restored and rededicated in the mid-20th century with strong involvement by the Royal Air Force.

Set on the Strand between Aldwych and Temple, the church sits in the heart of the legal and theatre districts of central London.

  • Military association: Recognised as the central church of the Royal Air Force and used for regular RAF services and remembrance ceremonies.
  • Access: Located on the Strand close to Temple and Covent Garden transport links, making it easy to include as part of a central London walking route.

What to See #

  • RAF memorial area: A chapel and memorial space dedicated to the Royal Air Force containing plaques, memorials and commemorative items honoring RAF personnel.
  • Tower and bells: The church tower and bells which form a distinctive element of the Strand streetscape and are used in official commemorations.
St Clement Danes
St Clement Danes, Strand, London WC2R 1DH, United Kingdom
51.5131, -0.1139
Open for services; visitor access typically during weekday mornings and afternoons-check parish schedule
Free (service times open to public)

How to Get to St Clement Danes #

On the Strand between Temple and Covent Garden; nearest Underground stations are Temple (Circle/District lines) and Chancery Lane (Central line), both a short walk. Numerous bus routes serve the Strand.

Tips for Visiting St Clement Danes #

  • Arrive for the Sunday choral service if interested in the church's famous organ music and the RAF connections.
  • The church is on the Strand; combine with a walk along Fleet Street and the Royal Courts of Justice.
  • Security can be tight during events-carry ID and be prepared for bag checks.

Best Time to Visit St Clement Danes #

St Clement Danes is an Anglican church on the Strand in London, famed for its association with the Royal Air Force and its 17th-century Wren-designed rebuilding after the Great Fire.

Spring-Autumn
April-October · 8-22°C
Pleasant weather for walking around central London and combining the church with nearby sights.
Winter
November-February · 2-8°C
Quieter tourist periods; services still draw congregants and RAF memorial events.

Weather & Climate near St Clement Danes #

Climate

St Clement Danes's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (650 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 42 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 65 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

43 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
15.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 19°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.7h daylight

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