Guided Tours return to Union Chapel

25 September 2025

On the first Wednesday of the month, we open our doors for Guided Tours to fit into your lunchbreak.

Discover how Union Chapel began, the people behind its conception and growth, and what we do in the beautiful Victorian Gothic chapel; home to an inclusive church, an award-winning live venue, one of the UK's finest organs, and The Margins Project for those in crisis in London.

You spoke, we listened! We've brought Guided Tours, led by Islington Guided Walks, back to our Grade I Victorian Gothic Revival chapel.

Join us on your lunch break to discover our legacy, future, community, and the stage that has hosted Amy Winehouse, Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Adele, Mavis Staples, Damon Albarn, Olivia Coleman, Nick Cave, and more.

Doors 11.45am
Start 12pm

Book for all dates here Book

1 October 2025
5 November 2025
3 December 2025
7 January 2026
4 February 2026
4 March 2026
1 April 2026
6 May 2026
3 June 2026
5 August 2026
7 October 2026
4 November 2026
2 December 2026

Only 20 places available per tour!

Proceeds of the ticket prices go to helping us keep Union Chapel open, safe, maintained for all and to support our local communities.

Concessions available.

Union Chapel Members get money off when using the code found in Ticket Offers found in your digital portal.

Union Chapel has towered over Upper Street in Islington since the 1870s and today thrives as an award-winning venue, homelessness project and a working radical church.

On the tour, led by an expert Islington Guided Walks guide, you’ll see this architectural gem up close and discover the building’s fascinating history.

The Grade I listed Victorian Gothic Chapel is one of the largest Nonconformist churches in London. It houses an important Father Henry Willis organ that is one of few left in the UK with an original hydraulic blowing system, stunning stained glass windows and a distinctive octagonal interior built for acoustics and visibility.

Take a tour and learn more about Islington’s heritage, the Chapel’s triumphant survival after a wartime bomb, and the fascinating story of its near demolition in the 1980s, at a time when Victorian architecture was only just being appreciated.

Feedback:

"A fascinating place to visit. Nigel our guide very knowledgeable about Union Chapel and the local area. The history behind the formation and building of the Chapel was very interesting. It's amazing to see James Cubitt's vision and how on earth did they manage to build such structures without modern building tools. My parents were married in Union Chapel in July 1958, so it was a very personal visit for me to see where their life together started."  ★★★★★ - Paula

"This was a brilliant tour. I've been at the Chapel many many times before for work and sometimes as a customer but I learnt a LOT about it that I didn't know. The tour was nicely and sympathetically delivered and a great pleasure." ★★★★★ - Neville

"Good that it was a small group tour, timing was good and therefore fitted in well with other things we were doing. Tour guide was good, funny and understood his audience, was helpful and adapted well to different needs. Content was excellent and venue is brilliant. Especially enjoyed the social content throughout the tour." ★★★★★ - Anonymous

"I thoroughly enjoyed this visit. The guide was friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining. He brought it all to life. I have already recommended this tour to friends." ★★★★★ - Val

"A brilliant one hour guided tour by Susan, our informative guide who imparted interesting facts about the Chapel’s history and its present importance and various contributions to culture and community. Susan’s presentation was engaging and enlightening, and encouraged us to consider the Chapel’s role(s) within a wider social and religious historical context. Great content and an entertaining style." ★★★★★ - Michael

"Wonderful guided tour of this beautiful church and its history and the people who made it happen. I have been waiting years to know more." ★★★★★ - Marjorie

Further Information & Access:

The tour lasts approximately one hour from 12pm.

The ground floor of the chapel is wheelchair accessible. Those following the tour to the Gallery level must be aware of multiple staircases to access as well as be comfortable with heights.