The current St Paul's Cathedral was designed by Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 to replace the medieval cathedral destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Wren's dome, at 111 metres, dominated the London skyline for over two centuries and survived the Blitz largely intact, becoming a symbol of wartime resilience after a famous photograph showed it standing amid the smoke of the 1940 firebombing. The cathedral's crypt holds the tombs of Wren himself, Admiral Nelson, and the Duke of Wellington, while the Whispering Gallery, Stone Gallery, and Golden Gallery offer successive viewing platforms within and atop the dome. St Paul's has hosted state occasions including the funeral of Winston Churchill in 1965, the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981, and jubilee services for successive monarchs, and its English Baroque design blends classical proportion with an English Protestant liturgical layout. Restoration completed in 2011 cleaned two centuries of pollution grime from the exterior stonework, and ongoing conservation manages the dome's structural monitoring and the crypt's environmental controls.
| Admission | Adults £23 (USD 29.20); children (6–17) £10.50 (USD 13.35); under 6s free; family £57.50 (USD 73.00); includes Whispering Gallery, Stone Gallery, and Golden Gallery |
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| Hours | Monday–Saturday 8:30am–4:30pm (last entry 4pm); closed Sunday to visitors (services only) |
| Address | St Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD |
Why it matters
St Paul's Cathedral, Christopher Wren's masterpiece completed in 1710 after the Great Fire of London, has served as the site of state funerals, royal weddings, and jubilee services central to British national life.
Location
St Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
51.5138, -0.0984 View on map
Highlights
- Whispering Gallery inside the dome, with its acoustic effect
- Golden Gallery atop the dome, London's highest viewing platform for visitors
- Crypt tombs of Christopher Wren, Nelson, and Wellington
- American Memorial Chapel behind the high altar
- Wren's original dome, a defining feature of the London skyline
Tips for visiting
- The 528-step climb to the Golden Gallery has no lift; allow stamina and time
- Included multimedia guides cover the cathedral's history in several languages
- Arrive at opening to see the nave before large tour groups
- The cathedral is closed to sightseeing on Sundays for services
- Evensong is free to attend and offers a way to hear the choir without an admission ticket
Frequently asked questions
Is St Paul's accessible to visitors who don't speak English?
Multimedia guides are included in several languages, covering the cathedral's history and architecture.
How long does a full visit take?
A visit including the dome climb typically takes two to three hours.
Can children visit?
Yes, though the dome climb involves narrow winding stairs unsuitable for very young children or pushchairs.