Comments on: Hot Cross Buns at St Bartholomew the Great

By: Alder Carr

Alder Carr — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 00:16:18 +0000

So sad these token rituals; half a bun, even if buttered, and no sixpence. Does the original bequest only run to buns these days? I’d like to know how many twenty shillings could be distributed.

By: Ian Silverton

Ian Silverton — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 20:09:49 +0000

Loved the pictures and the tale of the Buns, brought back my time their,as a pupil at school,back in the 1950s,under the headmistress Mrs Wallbank,and her husband the rector,Dr Wallbank.We used to sleep on the tombs outside in the summer, took my granddaughter to see it some years ago,she loved the stories,and think the charges are ok. My old class room their is now a coffee shop.

By: John

John — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 09:06:14 +0000

The problem with an entry charge is that it puts less affluent people off regardless of their intentions, prayer or other. The net result is that only more wealthy tourist types can afford. Why not introduce a ‘voluntary’ donation option instead? Such a shame that the first thing you see when you walk through the doorway of such a beautiful and historic church is a an entrance charge.

By: thud

thud — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 23:19:35 +0000

Free buns, what’s not to like!

By: Debs

Debs — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 23:07:52 +0000

St. Bart’s is very dear to me. On my first visit, while saying ‘thanks’ in the Lady Chapel, I felt a gentle presence. There was no one else around. Months later, when researching our family tree, I found a multi-great grandfather had been a parishioner of St. Bart’s in the 1600’s.

Thank you for another brilliant post.

By: Virginia Rounding

Virginia Rounding — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 16:36:54 +0000

There is no entry charge for prayer, only for tourist visits. A Grade I listed building costs an enormous amount to maintain, & the alternative would be to keep it closed for much of the time.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 12:07:55 +0000

Many years ago, I did a school project in this church, for which I’ve always since had a great affection. But I didn’t know about the hot cross buns, nor about the entry charge. I’m really sad they thought this necessary: like DH, I find it a real barrier.

By: DH

DH — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 09:31:12 +0000

This is my favourite church! So beautiful but so sad that you now have to pay to go inside. I used to pop in often to enjoy the peacefulness and beauty (outside of service times) but no longer go since they introduced the hefty entry price a few years ago.

By: Libby Hall

Libby Hall — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 07:21:45 +0000

What a fine Good Friday story. And, as always, most excellent accompanying photographs.

But my goodness how genteel: hot cross buns served cut in half? One is meant to be able to hold a whole hot cross bun in an eager hand – with its frosted cross on top. I think this old widow would have found it hard not to momentarily sigh with disappointment at such a restrained presentation.

By: David WIlson

David WIlson — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 06:55:29 +0000

The Gatehouse was in fact damaged during WWI rather than WWII – bombed during a Zappelin raid in 1916. The restoration was completed in 1932.