St Paul’s Cathedral is a landmark we often use to orient a walk through the City. If you want to visit inside, leave time for the cathedral floor, the crypt and the dome galleries, and check which parts are open on your chosen date.
The present cathedral was designed by Sir Christopher Wren after Old St Paul’s was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The site has a much longer history as a place of worship.
The church was built to be a place of worship for the town, however it destroyed by The Great Fire of London in 1666. After the devastating fire, the Cathedral of St Paul was rebuilt by architect Christopher Wren in 1676. He created the impressive 111-meter dome – an impressive feature that wows visitors even to this day.
Many important historical events have happened at St Paul’s Cathedral, including the wedding of Lady Diana and Prince Charles as well as the funeral of Winston Churchill.
Fun fact: Until 1962 no buildings in the city could be higher than the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. And this was one of the few buildings that survived the bombings of world war II.
What to see in St Paul’s Cathedral in London
St Paul’s Cathedral impresses even from the outside; the imposing façade and the famous dome are the first things that strike you. But if you make time to go inside, you’ll be able to explore its magnificent decoration. As well as the following:
- The main space on the ground floor is cross-shaped, with stunning fresco paintings adorning the ceilings.
- The dome is formed by three circular galleries, which can be reached via stairs – however, they can be quite narrow and irregular in some sections.
- Whispering Gallery: This is probably the most well-known gallery of the dome. It was named as such due to its acoustics – where you can hear any sounds in the opposite part of the gallery. It can be reached via 257 steps.
- Stone Gallery: The Stone Gallery provides magnificent views of the city. To reach it, you’ll have to venture up 257 steps.
- Golden Gallery: The Gold Gallery is 85 metres high up, and the views are incredible. To get here, you’ll have to walk up 528 steps.
- Crypt: Here, you’ll be able to see the remains of the previous temples, as well as numerous memorials and monuments of historical British characters. The remains of Nelson, Churchill, Wellington and Christopher Wren are also in the Crypt.
Opening times for St Paul’s Cathedral
Sightseeing hours can change for services and events. Check the official visitor calendar for your date; last entry and access to the dome galleries may differ from the general opening time. Allow roughly two hours if you plan to explore several parts of the cathedral.
Location: How to arrive
St Paul’s Cathedral is in central London, with the nearest tube station being St Paul’s (Central Line – zone 1.) You can also easily walk to it from tube stations London Bridge, Blackfriars, Cannon Street Station and Monument.
St Paul’s Cathedral tickets and worship
Check current sightseeing ticket prices and any concessions on the cathedral’s website. Attending a service is free; exploring the building as a sightseeing visitor requires a ticket. If you are considering a London attraction pass, check its current inclusions and booking rules.
Our recommendations for things to do near St. Paul’s Cathedral
Restaurants and Cafes
Around the Cathedral, you will find plenty of restaurants, burger joints and coffee shops. You’ll find the One New Change shopping centre next to the cathedral, which is packed with clothing stores and eateries.
If you’re looking for a typical English pub where you can get traditional British meals, the Ye Olde London is a good option. You can also take children in here.
On the ground floor of the One New Change shopping centre, we like to go to a quaint little place called Bea’s of Bloomsbury, which is great for a nice cup of tea and cupcake.
Secret Gems around St Paul’s Cathedral
There are so many secret spots around St Paul’s, that we would love to let you in on. Here are our favourite two:
The Crypt Restaurant: One of our favourite places in London is the restaurant/café that is in the crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral – which surprisingly rarely has many tourists. You can choose to visit here at the end of your Cathedral tour. However, you can visit this restaurant without visiting the Cathedral; the entrance is a little hard to spot, which is a shame as it really is great for drinks (or using the restrooms.) The entrance is on Paternoster Row (to the left of the entrance.)
Skyline views: We absolutely love heading to the terrace on the top floor of One New Change shopping centre (located right next to St.Paul’s Cathedral.) All you need to do is take the lift to the top floor and you’ll find an amazing terrace with stunning views of the city. There are also two bars/restaurants so you can enjoy a nice glass of wine or a refreshing beer with an incredible view. Going to this floor is free and available at any time.
Our recommendation
We recommend dining in one of the many restaurants in the area, then going up to the One New Change terrace for a drink or just to enjoy the views of the city at night. And we always recommend crossing the Millennium Bridge at night.
Hi, we are Alberto and Amy, the London locals behind PlanTrip London. We’ve lived in London since 2010 and have spent every year since exploring the city, from its famous landmarks to the markets, pubs, parks and hidden corners most visitors never find. Over the years we became the go-to trip planners for friends and family visiting London, so we created this site to share the same first-hand, tried-and-tested advice with you. Every itinerary, tip and recommendation here comes from our own experience with our two children, so you can plan a London trip that’s easier, better value and far more memorable.