There has been a Cathedral on this site for 1,400 years, and the present Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren’s great masterpiece, reaches the 300th anniversary of its consecration in 2010.
The famous Dome of St Paul’s Cathedral is an iconic feature of the London skyline, but step inside as there is so much to see. Sparkling mosaics and elaborate stone carvings give St. Paul’s a definite “wow” factor. And that’s without having to go up to the famous Whispering Gallery or higher than the Stone Gallery or Golden Gallery to enjoy the incredible views. Learn more about the galleries of St. Paul’s Cathedral .
Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral for free
St. Paul’s Cathedral sells tickets for visitors, but there are ways to visit St. Paul’s Cathedral for free. If you are short on time or money, find out how you can visit St. Paul’s Cathedral for free .
Tickets: Adults: over £ 10
- Check the official website for the latest prices.
- You can also reserve tickets at the VisitBritain store (Buy Direct).
- You can book tickets for St. Paul’s Cathedral with a traditional afternoon tea through Viator.
How to get to St. Paul’s
Address: St Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4
Nearest Tube Stations: St. Paul’s / Mansion House / Blackfriars
Main phone: 020 7236 4128 (Monday – Friday 09.00 – 17.00)
Registered information line: 020 7246 8348
Web: www.stpauls.co.uk
Use Journey Planner or the Citymapper app to plan your route on public transportation.
Visitor Hours
Visitors are welcome 7 days a week. The cathedral is open to tourists from Monday to Saturday from 08:30 to 16:00 (last ticket sold). The upper galleries are open to tourists from 09:30 AM and the last entry is at 04:15 PM.
On Sundays the cathedral is open only for worship, and there are no tourist visits. There are services every day at the Cathedral and everyone is welcome. Find out more about the daily services at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Note: In every hour, in the hour, there are a few minutes of prayer.
Guided tour or multimedia tour?
St Paul’s Cathedral has guided tours and multimedia tours available, both of which are included in the ticket price. Is it worth taking a tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral or can you enjoy your visit without a guide? Learn more about the pros and cons of each option: St. Paul’s Cathedral Tours .
Photography in St. Paul’s
Filming and photography are not allowed inside the Cathedral. However, if you take the guided tour, you can take photos in some areas. You should also bring your camera in any case, as you can get great views from the Stone Gallery and the Gold Gallery, as well as the outer observation deck that looks out onto the Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern.
More about St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s is an Anglican church, and it is actually the church of the people, as the royal ceremonies are mainly performed at Westminster Abbey.
The St. Paul’s Cathedral that we can see today is actually the fifth built on this site. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London.
The actual statue outside the western front is actually of Queen Anne and not Queen Victoria, as many assume, as Queen Anne was the ruling monarch when St. Paul’s Cathedral was completed.
Queen Victoria thought St Paul’s Cathedral was “dark and gloomy” and actually refused to enter to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee (60-year reign) in 1887, so the service was held on the steps of the cathedral and she stayed in her carriage. To try to brighten up the place, the Victorians added the sparkling mosaics around the apse, inside the dome.
Saint Paul was the first cathedral to be built after the Reformation in 1534, and Wren planned Saint Paul without colorful decoration. He was apparently not impressed with Sir James Thornhill’s paintings in the apse, below the dome, although they were added in his time.
You will be surprised to see that most of the windows have clear glass; The only stained glass window is in the American Memorial Chapel behind the High Altar.
The Quire and the High Altar may look old, but they were actually destroyed in WWII, but then rebuilt in 1960 to Wren’s original design.
- Learn more about the galleries of St. Paul’s Cathedral, including the Whispering Gallery, the Stone Gallery, and the Golden Gallery.
- Learn more about the Crypt and Monuments of St. Paul’s Cathedral .
The cafe at St Paul’s
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm / Sundays from 12 to 12 pm
Fresh, seasonal and well-priced British produce is served at local prices. The menu changes regularly, but you can always find the staples of sandwiches, salads, and freshly baked cakes and pastries. There is even a San Pablo fruit cake available.
There is also St Paul’s restaurant in the crypt, which serves lunch and snacks.
Access disabled
Wheelchair users and visitors with mobility impairments must enter through the South Churchyard. For more details call: 020 7236 4128.
The crypt level has permanent ramps, making it fully accessible (crypt, shop, cafe, and restrooms). On the cathedral floor, the only inaccessible area is the American Chapel.
There is no elevator access to the galleries, but the Oculus screen in the crypt offers a 270-degree virtual tour that makes you feel like you’re there, without climbing as many steps.
