Finding places in London that feel like true outliers can be tricky, but the very first Thai Buddhist temple to be built in the UK scratches that very itch. Buddhapadipa Temple can be found on a trip to the leafy suburbs of Wimbledon, with a building and gardens that oozes both calm and opulence.
Visitors walk through the gates to the land purchased by the Thai Government in the 1960s before finding themselves at the foot of a flight of stairs with Buddhapadipa Temple at the top of the hill. After all the steps, you’ll be craving something from the Thai Breakfast and Dessert café, but more on that later.
At this point, you’ve got two choices: a) starting quickening that flight up the stairs to get a good look at the temple up close, or b) stand there and admire the view, maybe snapping a photo or two of the shimmering gold, red, and white exterior of the architectural masterwork (depending on whether you’ve eaten yet, nothing moves you faster than the pangs of peckishness). Both are solid options, of course; you can really take this day out at your own pace with all that there is to unpack across the grounds.
Once you’ve made it to the doors of the temple, you’ll be asked to take off your shoes if you wish to take a look inside. It’s a small room, but its impact on visitors is drastic – featuring three stunning statues and majestic decor, including murals that were painted by 30 Thai artists across the space of eight years. When heading inside, you may also be greeted by a Thai monk, who can shed more light on the traditions of those residing at the temple.
Back in August 1965, the land was purchased for just–brace yourself if you’re currently looking to get on the property ladder in London–£17,000, and this is when Thai monks first began to take up residence here. Originally, Buddhapadipa Temple sat in East Sheen, but the need for an ordination hall to be added to the space meant a move over to Wimbledon, where you’ll witness it thriving today after the move was fully complete in 1982.
What can be found on a visit to Buddhapadipa Temple in Wimbledon?
I visited the temple for the first time on a July afternoon a few summers ago. With barely a soul walking the grounds at the same time, along with the sun and light breeze for company, it felt like a true Sunday escape from the city. Away from the temple, there were beautiful gardens with a picturesque bridge and a pond that added further pepperings of arresting tranquillity.
If I’d stuck around the temple for a tad longer, I could’ve taken part in the meditation classes that run on Saturday & Sunday afternoons, another way to cover yourself with the calm that defines the grounds. On this particular day, just standing by the running water among the shrubbery was enough, helping alleviate some of the tightness in my chest.
On your exploration of the gardens, look out for the tiny models of animals and human figures that live among the woodland of Buddhapadipa Temple. There are slivers of art to be found everywhere, with visitors certain to leave feeling serene and somewhat recovered from the city’s frenetic speed.
Tina’s Thai Breakfast at Little Monk Café
If you happen to swing by at the right time of day, you can also complete the true feel of being whisked away from London by tucking into Tina’s Thai Breakfast. Running a few Tina’s Thai Breakfasts per month, the next time you can taste the treat of Tina’s is this Saturday, August 23. They’re said to be London’s only Thai Breakfast and Dessert café, and you can enjoy their delights on select days from 10am – 5pm. Items include hot joke, which is a Thai rice porridge, as well as pa tong go, soft butter toast and Thai milk tea, and can all be eaten with a view over the garden’s pond.
With the bank holiday ahead of you, the taste of an authentic Thai breakfast spread, followed by an amble around the grounds in the late-August glow is as good a method as any for getting the true feeling of rest back into your bones at the start of a long weekend. Should you wish to enjoy a Thai breakfast, you can DM Tina’s Tea on Instagram to reserve your spot.
Tina’s Thai Breakfast was also handily recommended to us by Chin from the Secret Club, our online, London-loving community where you can unlock exclusive perks and benefits to use across the capital.
If you have a handful of hidden gems to share with like-minded locals, click here to join the Secret Club today. Buddhapapida Temple is free to enter between 9am and 6pm every day. Find it at 14 Calonne Road, Sw19 5HJ (the nearest station is Wimbledon Park).