london vivien leigh

10 Leigh/Olivier Destinations in England — #7

St Martin in the Fields
Trafalgar Square
London WC2N 4JJ
Nearest tube stop: Charing Cross

Hop on the tube to Charing Cross and you’ll find yourself in Trafalgar Square, home of the National Gallery and Nelson’s Column.  It is also home to the 18th century church of St Martin in the Fields.  According to wikipedia, the original church that stood at this site dated back to the 13th century, with graves dating back to Roman times.

The inside of the church was designed in the style of Christopher Wren, and visitors can attend for regular worship as well as a variety of lunchtime and evening concerts.  St Martin in the Fields is home to the famous Academy of St Martin in the Fields orchestra which was founded by Sir Neville Marriner.  Visitors can also see the church crypt (entrance located outside the church), have lunch in the popular cafe, hear a jazz concert or visit the book and gift shop.

The church has been the location of many famous Briton’s funerals, including Vivien Leigh, whose public service was held here in August 1967.  Among those in attendance were Laurence Olivier, Roger Livesey, Leigh Holman and Vivien’s daughter Suzanne farrington, Dirk Bogarde, Richard Attenborough, Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, John Gielgud, and Noel Coward.

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Kendra has been the weblady at vivandlarry.com since 2007. She lives in Yorkshire and is the author of Vivien Leigh: An Intimate Portrait, and co-author of Ava Gardner: A Life in Movies (Running Press). Follow her on Twitter @kendrajbean, Instagram at @vivandlarrygram, or at her official website.

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