Discover one of Streatham’s hidden historical landmarks with a guided tour of the crypt beneath St Leonard’s Church. Parts of the church date back to the 14th century, and its atmospheric crypt tells the story of Streatham’s past through the families, parishioners, and everyday Londoners laid to rest beneath its stone floor. Among them are the Thrales, once close friends of Dr Johnson, and the remains of local residents reinterred during 19th-century churchyard clearances. Though the church suffered a devastating fire in 1975, the crypt survived—its vaults and charnel spaces remarkably intact.

On this tour, you’ll descend into the vaulted chambers to explore the changing practices of burial, memory, and mourning. Guided by John Brown, the visit offers insight into centuries of life and death in South London. Please note that access is via steep and narrow stairs and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility.

Expect tales of plague and preservation, of lead-lined coffins and curious burials, and the ways in which science and storytelling come together underground.

Tickets £12.50. Please click here to buy.

John W Brown  is the longstanding Parish Archivist for St Leonard’s Church, Streatham and also serves as Archivist for the Streatham Society. With a deep-rooted passion for local history, he has authored several guides and given numerous talks on topics ranging from Streatham’s medieval roots to its transformation through the centuries. He is often referred to affectionately as “Mr Streatham”.