A Visitor’s Guide to St. Paul’s Cathedral

Explore the amazing St Pauls

St. Paul’s Cathedral stands proudly and majestically on London’s skyline. This renowned cathedral is a true icon of London and a symbol of the city’s resilience, even surviving the Blitz in World War II. You’ll instantly recognise its world-famous dome and its role in national events, including royal weddings and state funerals. As an architectural marvel and a must-see for any visitor to London, make sure you head inside on your next trip to the capital.

Discover what you can expect to see, how to get there, and some options for dining and hotels, with our visitor’s guide to St. Paul’s.

The Masterpiece of Sir Christopher Wren

The cathedral as we know and see it today is the masterpiece of Sir Christopher Wren. It was built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. In fact, it’s the fifth cathedral to stand on the site.

St. Paul’s is one of the finest examples of English Baroque architecture and is still a working church today. The cathedral has hosted countless royal and national events down the years, including the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, and the state funerals of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

Book a ticket on the quickest way to get to Heathrow

Are you looking for the best way to transfer to and from Heathrow Airport and Central London? The Heathrow Express and the London Underground’s Elizabeth line both serve the airport, but the Heathrow Express is by far the most efficient and fastest way to Heathrow.

This handy guide compares Heathrow Express vs the tube, providing useful information about cost, comfort, convenience, and overall experience to help you get your trip off to a smooth start.

Grab your tickets now

Purchase Your Heathrow Express Tickets Here

What to See Inside St. Paul’s Cathedral

Once you’re inside St. Paul’s Cathedral, you can explore at your own pace. The absolute essentials to see include:

The Nave

Step inside the cathedral and feast your eyes on the main body of the church. The Nave is the huge central isle that leads towards the famed dome. It’s here that the true scale and beauty of St. Paul’s first hits you.

Stand beneath the huge dome and look up to see the glimmering Victorian mosaics that decorate the ceiling. Take a seat in a pew and let your mind wander to the many royal events that have happened in the building. And take your time to view the intricate choir stalls, home to the world-renowned choir.

The Dome

The Dome is the major highlight of St. Paul’s. It’s the truly iconic structure that stands proudly on London’s skyline and that holds plenty of delights inside too. The Dome is known for its three galleries:

The Whispering Gallery (257 steps): Make your way up 257 steps and you’ll first find yourself in the Whispering Gallery. Stretching across the interior of the dome, it’s famous for a fun architectural quirk and its unique acoustics due to the curved walls. If you whisper across the gallery to someone standing opposite you, they’ll hear it as if you’re standing next to them. The Whispering Gallery is often closed for maintenance, so check ahead before visiting.

The Stone Gallery (376 steps): The next gallery up the steps is your first chance to head outside. When you arrive at the Stone Gallery, you’ll step outside onto the viewing platform to get a unique view of the city and the cathedral’s surrounds.

The Golden Gallery (528 steps): If you’ve got a head for heights and are happy to scale over 500 steps, you’ll be rewarded with some incredible views of London. Step out onto the Golden Gallery for unbelievable panoramic views across the city. You can easily see the Shard, the Tate Modern and the Millenium Bridge from here. It’s well worth the climb.

The Crypt

The Crypt is the resting place of some of the most famous Britons from history. It’s the largest crypt in Western Europe, and houses the tombs of both Admiral Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. The Crypt is also home to the quiet and unassuming tomb of the architect himself, Sir Christopher Wren. On Wren’s tomb is the fitting inscription: “if you seek his monument, look around you”.

There’s also a modern addition to the crypt, Oculus. This film experience tells the history of St Paul’s Cathedral from 604 to present day.

The American Memorial Chapel

At the east end of the cathedral, behind the High Altar, you’ll find the American Memorial Chapel. The marble plinth supports the American Roll of Honour from World War II. It honours the 28,000 American soldiers stationed in the UK who died during the war.

Tickets, Opening Times & Services

If you want to stroll around St. Paul’s and see its treasures, tickets are required for sightseeing. They cost £27 for an adult ticket (£29.70 with a donation) and £10.50 for children aged between six and 17 years (£11.55 with a donation). Kids under six go free, while senior (65+) tickets cost £24 (£26.40 with a donation).

You can buy your tickets directly on the St. Paul’s Cathedral website. Sightseeing tickets give you access to the Cathedral Floor and Crypt, the Dome Galleries, multimedia guides and any temporary exhibitions and installations. You can also book free and ticketed tours on the St. Paul’s website.

The cathedral is typically open for sightseeing on Mondays to Saturdays, from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Remember that St. Paul’s is a working church, meaning it’s closed for sightseeing on Sundays. But visitors are welcome to attend daily church services for free, including morning prayer, holy communion, eucharist and evensong. This is an exciting way to experience the cathedral and to hear the world-famous choir.

How to Get to St. Paul’s from Heathrow

It’s simple to get from Heathrow to St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Hop on the Heathrow Express at the airport and enjoy a 15-minute train ride into London Paddington. Trains leave Heathrow every 15 minutes.

Change to the Elizabeth Line at Paddington and travel eastbound to Farringdon station. This should take around 12 minutes.

Leave Farringdon station and walk 10 minutes to St. Paul’s.