Explore St Paul’s Cathedral: A Comprehensive Guide

St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, stands alongside the Houses of Parliament and London Bridge as one of London’s most iconic landmarks. The distinguished dome serves as the focal point for spectacular views of the city, whether from the top floor of the Tate Modern on Bankside or the romantic vantage point of Waterloo Bridge.

St. Paul’s has long been cherished by locals, and the photograph captured in 1940 by Herbert Mason, depicting the cathedral amidst the destruction of the Blitz, solidified its status as a symbol of Britain’s defiance against the Nazis.

How London Got Its Great Cathedral

A cathedral dedicated to St. Paul has existed on Ludgate Hill in the City of London for over 1,400 years. This site was once considered to be the location of a Roman temple to Diana, though no archaeological proof has been found to confirm this (so, if a guided tour suggests this, it may be wise to take it with a grain of salt). The earliest church was established around the year 604, and prior to Wren’s structure, four others stood in its place.

Fiery destruction and Viking raids laid waste to earlier churches until a significant cathedral was constructed by the Normans in 1087, which persisted until the mid-16th century. Much of the church’s structure had already been plundered during the English Reformation under Henry VIII, when, in 1561, a lightning strike ignited the steeple and parts of the building.

For over a century, numerous efforts to reconstruct the cathedral were ineffective. The illustrious 17th-century architect and theater designer Inigo Jones drafted plans, and work commenced but was interrupted by the English Civil War.

In 1666, Sir Christopher Wren proposed an ambitious design featuring a grand dome, which gained approval just one week before the Great Fire of London—ignited in a baking shop on Pudding Lane—obliterated much of the city. The scaffolding surrounding St. Paul’s likely contributed to the fire’s spread.

This devastation ultimately allowed Wren to realize his vision. The planning took nine years, followed by 35 years of construction, culminating in 1711, when Wren witnessed the final stone being placed by his son and his master mason’s descendant. Upon completion during the reign of Queen Anne, St. Paul’s became the first English cathedral erected post-Reformation.

Available Tours

Visitors to St. Paul’s will discover a wealth of history, from the resplendent mosaics added to satisfy Queen Victoria’s request for a brighter space to an extensive collection of sculpture and religious art spanning 400 years. Notable individuals buried in the crypt include Admiral Horatio Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and Christopher Wren. The historic library has been revitalized to allow for more exhibitions, showcasing treasures such as the Tyndale Bible, one of only three remaining copies of the first printed Holy Book in English, for which Tyndale was executed.

Both guided and self-guided tours illuminate this rich history, ensuring that captivating anecdotes enhance your conversations later. Fortunately, not all tours entail additional fees beyond the standard admission, and those that do tend to be reasonably priced.

• Multimedia tours: Free with your admission ticket, featuring high-resolution touch screens and “fly-throughs” of the dome and galleries, as well as zoomable close-ups of ceiling artwork and archival footage. Available in nine languages, including British Sign Language.
• Audio description guides: These free guides offer an interactive experience, encouraging tactile engagement with sculptures and carvings and include choir music and expert interviews.
• Introductory talks: Short talks lasting 15-20 minutes are provided throughout the day, highlighting architecture and history. Inquire at the guiding desk about the next talk.
• Free 90-minute guided tours: Covering the cathedral floor, crypt, and Geometric Staircase, which showcases Wren’s engineering genius; conducted Monday to Saturday in the morning to early afternoon. A space must be secured at the guiding desk.
• Triforium Tours: Offering views from above the nave, this tour requires a ticket and must be booked in advance. Groups of five or more should schedule at least five days in advance.
• Touch Tours: Free, two-hour tours available on selected dates for the visually impaired must be scheduled ahead of time.

Visiting the Dome Galleries

Standing at 365 feet, the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral is among the largest in the world, weighing a formidable 65,000 tons, which includes 850 tons for the lantern alone. The cathedral, architecturally designed in the shape of a cross, features the dome at the intersection of its arms.

Within the dome are three galleries, each offering stunning views of the London skyline as well as the cathedral’s floor. Before beginning your ascent, ensure you are physically capable, as the stairways are designated one way up and another down, becoming narrow with no options for reversal.

• Whispering Gallery: Accessible after climbing 259 steps, this gallery allows for an intriguing auditory experiment; whisper into the wall with a friend on the opposite side, and hear your voice travel around the curve.
• Stone Gallery: This outdoor area surrounding the dome can be reached after 378 steps, featuring excellent photography opportunities.
• Golden Gallery: The smallest and highest gallery, only 28 steps from the cathedral floor, offers breathtaking views encompassing many significant London landmarks.

Visitor Essentials

• When: The Cathedral is open every day; however, on Sundays, it is dedicated exclusively to worship, with no sightseeing allowed.
• Services: Daily worship and prayer services are available, including Matins and Choral Evensong, with free entry for all.
• Where: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4, with nearby London Underground stations being St. Paul’s, Mansion House, and Blackfriars.

How to Visit for Free

Entry fees to the cathedral can become costly, especially for families. If you are constrained by time or budget, consider the following free options:

• Visit St. Dunstan’s Chapel: Enter through the left side of the cathedral steps; while tickets are for sale on the right, you can freely access this chapel at any time for prayers, consecrated in 1699.
• Visit the Crypt: The Churchill gates create a division between the refectory and the crypt, where visitors can view the largest crypt in Europe, the final resting place of prominent figures.
• Attend a Service: All are welcome to participate in daily worship services at St. Paul’s, reinforcing its primary purpose as a place of worship.
• Attend a Christmas Carol Service: The schedule for Advent and Christmas events typically includes free highlights like Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols,” alongside other notable celebrations.