Where: Brompton Road, SW7
What: The oratory church in london was built in the Italian renaissance style during the mid 19th century, and opened in 1882. The buildings comprise a large Italian church, designed by Herbert Gribble, the house of the Oratorians and St Wilfred's Hall.
Cardinal Newman served here as priest after his conversion from the Anglican to the Roman Catholic faith and his monument stands a little west of the oratory.
The church is spacious and richly appointed. The design follows that of the Gesu Church in Rome, with a nave and side chapels instead of aisles. It houses Mazzuoli's gigantic 17th century marble statues of the Apostles, originally in Sienna Cathedral. One of the altars came from the Dominican Church in Brescia, another from St Servatius at Maastricht, and yet another from the original London Oratory. The High Altar has paintings of the life of St Philip Neri.
The church has a magnificent organ containing nearly 4,000 pipes and the third widest nave in Britain. after Westminster Abbey and York Minster. Today the oratory church is well known for its fine musical services.

Admission: (2005) free, although donations are welcome.
Nearest underground station: South Kensington (follow signs to the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Oratory is after the Victoria and Albert Museum heading towards Knightsbridge)
Opening times: daily 07:00 - 20:00
Website: brompton-oratory.org.uk