London’s controversial Chinese embassy will feature a surprising new tourist attraction

China’s planned ‘mega-embassy’ in London has faced heavy opposition for years, but it harbours one big secret. A medieval ruin, right under the footsteps of the diplomats. 

The remains of St Mary Grace Abbey, a fourteenth century abbey founded by King Edward III in 1350, were uncovered way back in the 1980s, and will soon be publicly available to view in a cultural centre at the embassy. 

The Heritage Interpretation Centre will tell the story of the abbey, which was once a Royal Navy victualling yard, and later a tobacco warehouse. It stands on the site of a Black Death cemetery, and was once the third richest Cistercian Abbey in Britain – so there’s more than enough history to fill a museum with. 

The centre will sit opposite one of the most controversial embassies in London, which politicians and public figures alike have called a security threat. It was approved earlier this year after being bought for £225m by Beijing. At 20,000 square metres, it’ll be the biggest embassy of its kind in Europe – now complete with its own history exhibit. 

Located right by the Tower of London, the museum will let visitors escape the chaos of the city centre and explore British medieval history up-close. In just a few years, the public will be able to discover the Chinese embassy’s underground mysteries.

ICYMI: The Courtauld Gallery just announced its 2027 exhibition programme, and it features some huge names. 

Plus: The Monument could get a visitor centre for the first time. 

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