Overview

The Fitzrovia Chapel, was once the chapel of the former Middlesex Hospital. It has been restored and has a stunning Byzantine interior, with a golden ceiling, beautiful mosaics and stained glass windows. The chapel is small but there is lots to enjoy. Access is very good and step free. There is free admission for its open days, which are on Wednesdays between 11am and 4pm. However, there maybe a charge for other events. Please check opening times before visiting.

Transport & Parking

The chapel is tucked away in Pearson Square, a pedestrianised area with no vehicle access. The chapel is surrounded by tall modern buildings, so you could easily miss it unless you knew it was there. There are a number of pedestrianised paths leading into the square from surrounding streets. It is very close to Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road. The nearest accessible tube is Tottenham Court Road. Also nearby is Goodge Street, Warren Street and Oxford Circus tube station, which are not step free. There are several buses that go along Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road, that stop nearby. I found the easiest way to find it was to get a bus to Goodge Street tube station, which is on Tottenham Court Road, and then walk along Goodge Street itself. It's a level 5 minute walk to the chapel from here. Walk on the north side of the street and after you cross Cleveland Street, you will find on your right hand side, a pedestrianised path which is the entrance to Pearson Square. Sorry I forgot to take a photo of this. The chapel is in the middle of the square.

Access

The way into the chapel involves two shallow steps with a handrail on both sides. There is also a platform lift, which is discreetly integrated into the pavement, see photo. There is level, step free access inside the chapel. On entering you arrive at the ante chapel, which has marble plaques dedicated to the staff who worked there. Some of the plaques can only be comfortably read at standing height. There is a plaque to Diana Beck, the first female neurosurgeon in Europe. Then there are large archways into the nave of the chapel and Baptistery. It is also here the information desk is. There are some seats in the Baptistery please be aware they swivel. Near the altar there are regular chairs. Although the chapel is small it is a hidden gem so when we visited there were only a couple of other people there. There were information sheets but I didn't notice any large print or audio guides.

Toilets

I didn't notice any toilets.

Staff

I didn't have any interaction with the staff. There was a lady on the information desk inside the chapel, but the chapel was self explanatory as there were information sheets, so I didn't require any assistance. During our visit the lady was busy talking to someone who was visiting as he had previously worked at the hospital.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

This is a lovely hidden gem, with very good access and well worth visiting. Look out for the inscription by the altar commemorating that Rudyard Kiping, author, lay in state in the chapel after he died in the Middlesex Hospital. The square itself has outdoor seating (chairs with back support and arms), and garden area, see photos, and is a nice, quiet spot to rest. The surrounding buildings in the square are restaurants, businesses and housing.

Photos