OPINION - The Leader podcast: Loyd Grossman on London’s original starchitect

Sir Christopher Wren is called the “first modern architect” and designed St Paul’s Cathedral - but how does his legacy shape 21st Century London?

Now, a series of public events called Wren 300, many of them free, mark a year-long celebration of his architecture and legacy.

Three centuries after Wren's death, The Leader podcast spoke to former Through the Keyhole and MasterChef star Loyd Grossman, a heritage campaigner and chairman of the city of London’s Gresham College, plus archaeologist John Darlington, who’s executive director of World Monuments Fund Britain.

Around London, you can easily find Wren’s work.

There’s the church St Stephen Walbrook tucked behind Bank station, which has a ‘miniature’ dome sharing features with its cathedral cousin nearly four times the size.

The new church started construction in 1672, similarly to a Wren design after the Great Fire of London.

And this podcast was recorded at the Square Mile church, which you could describe as “little St Paul’s”.

In this episode: protecting the view of St Paul’s, Wren’s personal politics, why every Londoner needs to visit Greenwich - and the cathedral designs that didn’t make the final cut.

Listen above, and find us on your Spotify Daily Drive or wherever you stream your podcasts.