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St. Paul’s Cathedral – tickets, prices, hours, dress code, free entry

St Paul’s Cathedral is undoubtedly one of the most famous sights you’ll come across in London. 

With a dome dominating the London skyline since 1710, and a crypt spanning the entire cathedral’s footprint, this Anglican church is synonymous with Britain’s identity and culture

St. Paul’s Cathedral started as a small 7th century church in AD 604, and the edifice you see today was built by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666.

With more than 1.5 million tourists visiting this attraction every year, here’s everything you need to know before booking your St Paul’s Cathedral tickets.

Top St. Paul’s Cathedral Tickets

# St Paul’s fast-track entrance ticket # Welcome to London Tour # Walking tour + St Pauls Cathedral entry

Table of contents

What to expect at st paul’s cathedral, where to buy tickets, how do online tickets work, st paul’s cathedral ticket prices, st paul’s fast-track entrance tickets, welcome to london tour, walking tour + st paul’s cathedral entry, st paul’s cathedral, tower of london & river cruise, how to reach st paul’s cathedral, st paul’s cathedral hours, best time to visit st paul cathedral, how long does st paul cathedral take, st paul cathedral free entry, st paul’s cathedral mass timings, dress code for st paul’s cathedral, st paul’s cathedral faqs.

When you visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, the first thing you notice is how the church captivates visitors with a respectable blend of history, art, and spirituality.

The dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral is a marvel of engineering and a defining feature of London’s skyline.

The Stone Gallery and the Golden Gallery, both situated in the Dome, offer breathtaking 360-degree views of London.

The Whispering Gallery creates a fascinating auditory experience by allowing whispers to travel along the Dome’s curved walls.

St. Paul’s Crypt , which happens to be the final resting place for many of England’s heroes, houses the tombs of Sir Christopher Wren , Admiral Nelson , and the Duke of Wellington .

Works by William Holman Hunt and William Blake adorn the walls of the Cathedral and stained glass windows by William Morris add a touch of vibrancy to this 17th century church.

As you explore the Cathedral, experience the unbelievable craftsmanship and massiveness of its Grand Nave and Quire.

St. Paul’s Cathedral holds services throughout the day and visitors are welcome to attend these services while maintaining decorum and reverence.

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St Paul’s Cathedral entry tickets are available online or at the attraction.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.

Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

Go to the St Paul’s Cathedral ticket booking page .

Select the number of tickets, preferred date, and guide language, and buy the tickets.

Once you purchase the tickets, they get delivered to your email address.

There is no need to get printouts of the ticket.

You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone when you visit the attraction.

St Paul’s Cathedral tickets cost £20 for visitors between 18 and 64 years old. Tickets for children between six and 17 years cost £9. Senior citizens aged 65 years and older and students with valid IDs qualify for a £2 discount and pay only £18 for entry. Children five years and younger can enter for free.

The fast track admission is the cheapest and most popular St Paul’s cathedral ticket.

You skip the long lines at the ticketing counter and walk right in to explore the cathedral floor and the crypt and go up the galleries.

It includes the multimedia guide, which you can pick up at the entrance.

Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (18 to 64 years):  £20 Student Ticket (with valid ID card):  £18 Senior Ticket (65+ years):  £18 Child Ticket (6 to 17 years):  £9 Infant Ticket (up to 5 years): Free

The Welcome to London Tour starts at 7.45 am and lasts nine hours. 

You drive around the city of London to see the significant landmarks and stop by at various places.

During the day, you also experience a scenic private cruise on the River Thames, a private tour of the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels, and a tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

This ticket can be canceled 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Adult Ticket (17 to 59 years):  £123 Senior Ticket (60+ years):  £120 Student Ticket (with a valid ID): £120 Child Ticket (3 to 16 years):  £113 Infant Ticket (up to 2 years): Free

This six-hour tour starts at 10 am and is the fastest way to explore 30 London attractions in a day.

At the end of the tour, you get to step into St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of the oldest cathedrals in the world. Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (14+ years):  £66 Child Ticket (3 to 13 years):  £10 Infant Ticket (up to 2 years): Free

If you want to keep it simple, we recommend this  Old London walking tour  in which you get to explore St Paul Cathedral from the outside.

In this popular combination ticket, you get whisked around London’s landmarks and cruise along the Thames.

A local guide gives you a guided tour of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London, after which you can go on a River Thames cruise to Westminster Pier.

The four-and-a-half-hour tour happens in an air-conditioned coach with a personal audio headset so that you can always hear the guide.

Kids two years and below join the tour for free. Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (17+ years):  £92 Child Ticket (3 to 16 years):  £82 Student Ticket (with valid ID):  £82 Senior Ticket (60+ years):  £87 Infant Ticket (up to 2 years): Free Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children): £338

Are you up for some adventure? Buy the London Outdoor Escape Game: The Great Fire ticket and follow the path of the 1666 Great Fire of London that razed some of the city’s most iconic attractions to ashes. Unlock clues and solve puzzles on your phone while reenacting the story of amateur fireman Gregory Grail on this self-guided tour.

St Paul’s Cathedral sits on Ludgate Hill, the highest point of London city.

Address: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, UK. Get directions .

You can reach the Cathedral via public or private transportation.

St Paul’s Cathedral bus stop (Bus No: 15, 17, 26, 76, N15, N21, N26, N199, N550) is just a few steps away from the attraction.

The most convenient way to reach St Paul’s Cathedral is by metro.

St Paul’s metro station is a 2-minute walk from the cathedral.

The other metro stations nearest to the Cathedral are Mansion House , Blackfriars , and Bank .

If you plan to take the train, the nearest stop is the City Thameslink station , a brisk 3-minute walk to St Paul’s Cathedral.

If you’re traveling by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started.

There are enough parking garages around the attraction.

St Paul’s Cathedral opens at 7.30 am from Monday to Saturday with a prayer.

Visitors who want to explore the Cathedral can enter from 8.30 am onward. The last entry is scheduled at 4 pm.

All tourists sightseeing the Cathedral must exit the premises by 4.30 pm.

On Sundays, prayers start at 8 am and go on till 7 pm. 

Note: Tourists aren’t allowed inside the Cathedral on Sundays.

When do St Paul’s Cathedral galleries open

The St Paul’s Cathedral has three galleries—Whispering Gallery, Stone Gallery, and Golden Gallery. 

These open at 9.30 am.

The galleries, just like other sections of the Cathedral, have a detailed weekly schedule .

Image:  Stpauls.co.uk

The best time to visit St Paul’s Cathedral is before noon on a weekday – preferably Monday to Thursday. 

For a peaceful visit, it is best to be at the cathedral as soon as the morning prayer ends at 8.30 am.

St Paul’s Cathedral is most crowded between 12 noon and 5 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Since the Cathedral opens for sightseeing much before the other London attractions, some tourists plan this visit as their first activity.

Visitors who want to explore St Paul Cathedral’s main floor, crypt, and climb the dome, will need around two and a half hours. 

You can enter the Cathedral for free if you want to attend the service. 

Since it is a  highly rated  attraction, it draws a lot of tourists and can get crowded. 

To save time and avoid the queue, we recommend booking your tickets in advance .

Save money & time! For a flat fee gain free ‘skip the line’ access to 60 London attractions. Buy The London Pass

It is possible to enter St Paul’s Cathedral for free.

On Sundays, the service begins at 8 am and on other days at 7.30 am.

If you want to attend the service, you can enter the Cathedral for free.

You won’t be allowed inside after the prayer begins – so it is best to land up 15 minutes earlier.

However, it will only be a limited experience because you will be sitting down for the service.

When you enter the Cathedral for prayers, you can’t walk around and explore.

Besides, all the other areas are blocked off during the service.

Free with London Passes

Yet another way to enter St Paul’s Cathedral for free (well, almost) is by buying one of the London discount Passes.

These passes help you save money and time because you can skip the line at most places.

Our two favorites are  London iVenture Pass  and  London Explorer Pass .

At St Paul’s Cathedral, from Monday to Saturday, the morning prayer starts at 7.30 am, followed by Eucharist at 8 am and 12.30 pm.

Music is integral to the prayer, and everybody can join in for free. 

At 5 pm, there is a Choral Evensong, and around this time, there is an occasional evening prayer as well.

On Sundays, the day begins with holy communion at 8 am, followed by Mattins at 10.15 am, and a sung Eucharist at 11.30 am.

A Choral Evensong is conducted at 3.15 pm and finally Eucharist at 6 pm.

You can find the full schedule of the St Paul’s mass  here .

There is no obligatory dress code for St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

However, since it is a religious place, visitors are expected to dress moderately.

Even though nobody will stop you from entering the Cathedral, low-neck t-shirts and mini-skirts are not advised for women.

It is a common practice for visitors in doubt to throw a scarf over their shoulders.

Visitors to this London Cathedral have lots of questions.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the St Paul’s Cathedral

The ticket includes access to the cathedral floor, crypt, and galleries, as well as the option to use a multimedia guide available in multiple languages. You can also join guided tours and talks based on availability.

There is no cloakroom, so bags or items larger than 45cm x 30cm x 25cm are prohibited.

Flashlights, Video recording, selfie sticks, tripods, and monopods are prohibited during your visit.

Yes, St. Paul’s Cathedral is an active Anglican cathedral that holds regular services. Visitors are welcome to attend these services. You do not require a ticket to participate in a service.

St. Paul’s Cathedral aims to provide accessibility for visitors with disabilities. Accessible entrances and facilities are often available.

Parking can be limited and expensive near the attraction. It’s often more convenient to use public transportation, such as the London Underground, buses, or taxis, to reach the cathedral.

Source # Stpauls.co.uk # Wikipedia.org # Britannica.com # Tripadvisor.com The travel specialists  at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

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This article was researched & written by

Vrinda Bhatia

She loves to explore new destinations and places at every opportunity available, but she loves to do so with proper planning and according to set schedules. She doesn’t prefer well-known destinations and clichéd touristy activities. Once back, she regales her friends with exciting stories from far off destinations. During her travels, she loves to dress up like the locals. Favorite Cities: Quebec City, Nice, Dodoma, Marrakech

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

1 thought on “St. Paul’s Cathedral – tickets, prices, hours, dress code, free entry”

Wonderful. I live in Slovenia. Access to all churches is free. Access to the main museum in Ljubljana is 50p Rip off Britain again !

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Visiting St Paul’s Cathedral – Tickets, Tours + FAQs

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: April 28, 2024

• Everything you need to know to plan and book your visit to St Pauls Cathedral

Visiting St Pauls Cathedral – Tickets & Tours

St paul’s cathedral facts and figures, st paul’s opening times, when is the best time to visit st paul’s, art at st paul’s, services at st paul’s, what other uk attractions are located near st paul’s, tips for planning your visit to st paul’s, more to see in london.

Nearest Tube station – St Paul’s (Central line)

How long to set aside for your visit?

It will take about two to three hours to fully explore the cathedral, the crypt, the dome and the artwork. 

Entry Tickets 

• St Paul’s Cathedral ticket

Good to know – St Paul’s Cathedral entry is included with The London Pass and the Go City  London Explorer Pass  

Combi tours 

• Westminster walking tour with St Paul’s Cathedral entry
• Top 30 London landmarks walking tour plus St Paul’s entry  
• Royalty and St Paul’s Cathedral combined tour with entry
• Total London Experience with Tower of London, London Eye and St Paul’s

Private Combi Tours

• Private City of London and St Paul’s Cathedral walking tour
• Private tour of Kensington Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral
• Private tour of the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral

Visiting St Pauls Cathedral FAQs

• St Paul’s isn’t only a cathedral, it’s also an art gallery. There are artworks on display here from various periods – and there are more than mere paintings. These include a Henry Moore sculpture, modern art, Victorian mosaics and many more. 
• Nowadays, St Paul’s displays various art installations at the cathedral. Recent ones have included works by Angel of the North sculptor Antony Gormley and a Swarovski scientific collaboration. 
• The cathedral is also something of a movie star, and has also inspired various works. It’s been seen on screen in the Harry Potter films, Lawrence of Arabia , Sherlock Holmes and more. The church has also been reproduced by various artists throughout history within their works. 
• St Paul’s isn’t the original church to stand on this site. In fact it isn’t even the second or third, but rather the fourth. The one before was ruined by the Great Fire of London, and the current building is architect Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece.
• The location was chosen because Ludgate Hill is the City of London’s highest point. Before London became as built-up as it is today, this meant the large church literally loomed over the city.  
• In fact Sir Christopher Wren was the first person to be buried at St Paul’s. He died in 1723, and his tomb is inscribed in Latin. ‘Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice’ translates as ‘If you seek my monument, look around you’. 

• The crypts at St Paul’s were also constructed for a reason other than housing the dead. The position close to the Thames meant the ground was marshy, so the crypts were built to hold up the structure. As well as to provide a final resting place. 
• The Whispering Gallery really does exactly what it claims to. At 30 feet (or 10 metres) above ground level, the walkway really does have the power to transmit even a whisper across the area under the dome. Why not see – or rather, hear – the magic for yourself when you visit?
• St Paul’s has one of the world’s biggest domes, and is up there with the likes of the Pantheon in Rome. The dome is around 1,200 feet high – or 366 metres. You’ll have to ascend hundreds of stairs to reach the top, but can stop for a rest en route at the Whispering Gallery. 
• Martin Luther King once gave a sermon at St Paul’s Cathedral. This took place in 1964, four years before his assassination. There were over 3,000 people in the congregation. The famous Baptist minister and civil rights movement activist addressed the crowd with a sermon called Three Dimensions to a Complete Life
• Being interred, celebrated or remembered at St Pauls is a great honour. A number of prominent British figures have been honoured here via a monument or funeral service. The list of luminaries includes wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, whose funeral was held here. Poets William Blake and John Donne, trailblazing nurse Florence Nightingale and the man who discovered penicillin – Sir Alexander Fleming – are all interred at the cathedral. 
• Suffragettes fighting for women having the right to vote once plotted to blast the cathedral to smithereens. Fortunately the battery-powered bomb they planted in 1913 was faulty, so it was all to no avail. Equal rights to vote were introduced around 15 years later, in 1928.
• St Paul’s was also bombed by the German Luftwaffe during the Blitz of the Second World War. Luckily the cathedral escaped relatively unscathed. 

• Typically the doors open at 8.30 am on these days, except for Wednesdays when they open a little later, at 10 am.
• The last entry is usually at 4 pm. 
• Opening times can vary, especially when special services are planned. You can check the cathedral’s What’s On page to make sure it will be open when you visit. 

• St Paul’s is open to visitors daily, except for Sunday. It normally opens at 8.30 am, or 10 am on Wednesdays, with the last entry at 4 pm. 
• If you can, visit on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. You can also visit on Wednesdays but do bear in mind the later opening time. The cathedral is less busy before midday, so visit in the morning if you can.
• Unless you have no choice, Fridays and Saturdays are best avoided. This is because these are the busiest days. 
• The summer season also tends to be busier. In the UK, summer school holidays take place between mid-July and early September. You can expect St Paul’s to be busy during this period. Tourists from other countries often visit the UK in summer for better weather, and European school holidays also take place at a similar time. 

What to see at St Paul’s

Though it’s a notable landmark and an iconic part of the London skyline, there’s more to St Paul’s than its famous dome.

During a visit, people will typically explore the main cathedral area, discover the secrets of the crypt and scale the dome – via the Whispering Gallery. 

As mentioned above, there’s a large collection of classic and contemporary art at St Paul’s. This spans various eras and genres. As you might expect, the artworks displayed here tend to have a spiritual theme. 

Notable works include William Holman Hunt’s The Light of the World painting and the modern Henry Moore Mother and Child sculpture.  

You can also attend services and special events at St Paul’s. By doing so you can see this London icon as a working cathedral. You can also hear the choir sing and listen to other musicians. Services are free to attend and are open to people of all beliefs. 

Members of the public are also welcome to pray in St Dunstan’s chapel whenever it is open. You can find the current St Paul’s programme of services here , which includes those for morning prayer, Eucharist, Choral Evensong and more. Do note that some special events and services are ticketed.

If you are visiting St Pauls Cathedral why not include some other attractions located in the vicinity?

• The Tower of London
• Tower Bridge
• Great Fire of London monument
• HMS Belfast
• Millenium Bridge
• Tate Modern
• Shakespeare’s Globe
• Borough Market
• The Clink Prison Museum
• Buy tickets for St Paul’s in advance if you can. This means you can avoid queueing up – or waiting in line – to get in. It’s often very busy, especially on weekends and in summer. 
• Ideally, try to visit on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday before noon. On these days you can usually enter the cathedral from 8.30 am.  
• Do allow extra time for the artworks if these interest you. They’re one of the hidden treasures of St Paul’s, which acts as a prominent gallery as well as a church. 
• If you can and want to, attend a church service at the cathedral free of charge. This will give you an insight into how the famous building works as a house of worship. Services are open to people of all faiths and beliefs, and you may get to hear the choir sing. 
• Wear decent footwear if you plan to scale the mighty dome. There are hundreds of steps to climb before reaching the top – though it is well worth the effort. Don’t forget to stop on the way up (or down) at the Whispering Gallery. 
• Oculus – or the ‘eye to St Paul’s’ – is capable of delivering a quick history lesson. Stop by if you want a whistle-stop tour of the cathedral’s past. 
• If you’re in the vicinity on a Sunday, you cannot enter the cathedral for sightseeing. But what you can do is hear the church bells ringing out across London’s rooftops. It’s music to the ears of locals and tourists alike. 
• There’s a City Thameslink station almost as close to St Paul’s as the tube station named after it. Walking from here only takes a minute or so longer than from the underground, and it may be more convenient depending on where you’re coming from. 
• An audio guide is included with your entry ticket and is available in a number of languages. By using this, you can take a self-guided tour of the cathedral. 
• The cathedral has a cafe and a gift shop. Ideal for taking a break, refuelling or picking up souvenirs of your time in London. 

Finally, do check the What’s On calendar before you go. As a working church, opening times for sightseeing here can vary.

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• Westminster Abbey
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Here’s Everything You Need To Know About St Paul’s Cathedral

Explore the UK's national and architectural masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral, where London's history and skyline comes to life

When you cast your eyes over the London skyline, there’s plenty of iconic sights that catch your eye. Think Big Ben , The Shard , the Wembley Arch , and you’ll have landmarks that have graced the skies of London for years now. Those, however, are mere striplings when compared to St Paul’s Cathedral , whose outline has been framed against sunsets and sunrises for over three hundred years. The cathedral holds a treasured place in British history, and regularly enchants visitors with a heady mix of history, architectural flair, and winning views over the city . Our nifty guide will help you make the most of your visit to St Paul’s Cathedral .

History of St Paul’s Cathedral

Famously, the current St Paul’s Cathedral isn’t the original one – the fearsome inferno we know as the Great Fire of London put paid to that – but did you know it’s actually the fifth version ? A cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood upon the highest point of the old Roman city of Londinium, which roughly corresponds to the modern day City of London, for over 1400 years .

The first one is thought to have been a wooden church built in 604 by Mellitus, Bishop of the East Saxons . In a pretty awkward harbinger of what was to come, it promptly burned down in 675 – and the second (torn down by the Vikings in 962) and t hird (burned(!) down in 1087) didn’t fare much better either. For over four hundred years, it looked like the Normans had solved it with St Paul’s Cathedral IV , which was the longest and tallest Christian church in the world from its completion in 1240 until meeting its fiery end in 1666 , along with most of the City of London.

The current St Paul’s Cathedral is, famously, the work of architect Sir Christopher Wren , who’d cut his teeth redesigning churches in the City of London after the Great Fire . Though it was consecrated in 1697, the building wasn’t declared complete until 1711 , and even then work continued, with Sir James Thornhill (who’s also responsible for the breathtaking Painted Hall ) dangling fifty metres above the floor to paint the interior of the dome.

Despite the somewhat iffy survival rates of its predecessors, the cathedral weathered the Blitz with only moderate damage – further cementing its place as a symbol of both London and Britain . It’s played host to Jubilee celebrations, the funerals of Horatio Nelson, Winston Churchill, and Margaret Thatcher, the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana , and even a sermon from Martin Luther King . Now can your Shard do that?

Though it’s primarily a place of prayer and worship, St Paul’s Cathedral unsurprisingly draws the tourists in their droves. There’s plenty to see within these historic walls, but if you plan on paying a visit, do remember to be respectful of worshippers, and the cathedral as a whole. For instance, photography for personal use must be “respectful [and] non-flash” , and strictly limited to sightseeing hours.

Things to see at St Paul’s Cathedral

Upon entering St Paul’s Cathedral , the first sight to greet you will be the nave, the huge central aisle which leads towards the famed dome. Over to the west of the cathedral, you’ll catch a glimpse of the Great West Doors , which the Queen used when she dropped by on special occasions.

Elsewhere at ground level, you’ll find monuments to both the Duke of Wellington and Admiral Nelson, The Grand Organ, which was installed in 1695 , and a marble effigy of John Donne . A former dean of St Paul’s Cathedral – in addition to a stellar literary career – the monument to Donne is once of the few artefacts to have survived the Great Fir e, and you can still see the scorch marks around the base.

For a better view of the cathedral, you simply must make your way up into the dome, which hides myriad delights. Up a mildly taxing 257 steps, you’ll find the Whispering Galleries (which, sadly, are currently closed). Stretching around the interior of the dome, they are famed for a fun architectural quirk – if you whisper across the gallery to someone standing opposite you, they’ll hear it as clearly as you were standing right next to them!

Further up in the dome, you’ll get your first chance to head outside when you arrive at The Stone Gallery . At 376 steps and 52 metres above the ground, you may be a little out of puff by the time you arrive here, but the views are certainly worth it! Those with a head for heights can continue up to The Golden Gallery (528 steps, 85 metres up) , where sweeping panoramas of the city unfold before you; The Shard , Tate Modern , and Millennium Bridge are all easily visible from up here.

At the other end of the spectrum, you can also have a poke around the crypts of St Paul’s Cathedral, in which you’ll find the tombs of Wellington, Nelson, and Sir Christopher Wren . Fittingly, Wren is buried in a simple tomb inscribed with the words “ if you seek his monument, look around you.”  Meanwhile, a modern addition to the crypts is Oculus, a mesmerising film experience that tells the history of St Paul’s Cathedral from 604 to present day.

Of course, there’s plenty to see around the exterior of the building, which is winningly ornate. For instance, the West Front of the building depicts scenes from the life of St Paul, including his conversion to Christianity. Curiously, the two western towers – one of which holds Great Paul , the largest bell ever cast in the UK – are topped with a pineapple, which is reportedly a symbol of peace, prosperity, and hospitality. Isn’t that nice?

When to visit St Paul’s Cathedral

If you’re hoping to wander round, the only day to avoid St Paul’s Cathedral is Sunday , when t he cathedral is open to worshippers only . Aside from that, there’s really no bad time to visit – Christmas, with carol services and warm welcomes , is an obvious winner, but can get exceedingly busy.

As wonderful as it is inside, one of the greatest joys of a visit to St Paul’s Cathedral is finding that perfect shot of the exterior. A longstanding law establishing viewing corridors of St Paul’s Cathedral – laws that prevent any construction that might impede views of the cathedral – has led to some wonderful, ‘gram-friendly spots.’ Instagram giants and wannabes alike all make a pilgrimage to the One New Change shopping centre , for a dramatic shot of St Paul’s Cathedral mirrored between glass-fronted buildings.

Elsewhere, crouching among the flowerbeds in springtime can yield some gorgeous shots of the exterior, whether that be flowers in bloom or blossom emerging from the boughs.

However, all views of St Paul’s Cathedral bow down to one – the infamous roof terrace of One New Change shopping centre .

It’s home to a rather nice restaurant – more on that in a second – but you don’t have to dine here to catch the views, for a public lift can whizz you up here for a wander on the spacious terrace . With the cathedral a mere stone’s throw away (please don’t do this though!) a plethora of dramatic skyline shots have been birthed here.

Restaurants, pubs, and bars near St Paul’s Cathedral

Plenty of eating options surround St Paul’s Cathedral, but as promised, one stands head and shoulders above the rest – namely, because it sits on the One New Change roof . Madison Restaurant & Bar wins plaudits for their Josper-grilled main dishes and their riffs on contemporary cocktails , but it certainly doesn’t hurt to have the beautifully lit cathedral dome as the backdrop to your dinner.

Fans of quality steak and reality TV shows should make a beeline for the Paternoster Chop House , better known as the First Dates restaurant . Because honestly, what better way to bond with a new beau than over roast dinners and bottomless red wine ?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by British Restaurant in London (@paternosterchophouse)

Elsewhere around the neighbourhood, the Gordon Ramsay-owned Bread Street Kitchen offers up modern European fare and a futuristic space capsule and  Burger & Lobster serves up… well, you can probably guess.

St Paul’s Cathedral does many things, but cocktails ain’t one of them, so if you’re thirsting for a drink, you’ll need to head elsewhere. The local branch of Dirty Martini can mix you up no-frills cocktails, or there’s Beas of Bloomsbury for endless cups of tea. Aptly-named spot The Saint overlooks St Paul’s, serving wines by the glass, and if you fancy pints in characterful places, historic pub   Ye Olde Watling lies just around the corner.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ye Olde Watling (@yeoldewatlinglondon)

St Paul’s Cathedral visitor information

Are visitors allowed in st pauls cathedral.

The Cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday for sightseeing . On most days, doors open at 8.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 10am on Wednesdays. Last entry for sightseeing is usually at 4pm with sightseeing ending 30 minutes after the last entry time. However, opening and closing times can change, so we recommend you to visit their calendar  to check the day you will be attending.

Do you have to book to visit St Paul’s Cathedral?

It’s free to attend the Cathedral for services, but if you want to explore the building, you will need a sightseeing ticket . Tickets are priced at £25 per adult and £10 per child with discounts for families, groups and concessions and free tickets for those with a disability.

How can I get to St Paul’s Cathedral?

📍St Paul’s Cathedral, St Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD.

🚇 Nearest tube station is St Paul’s Underground Station .

What can I bring to St Paul’s Cathedral?

Bags above the maximum permitted dimensions of 45cm x 30cm x 25cm including handles, wheels and pockets cannot be brough t into the Cathedral. There is no cloakroom facility.

Is there wheelchair access?

The Cathedral has many different kinds of support in place for visitors with specific access needs – from ramps and lifts, to guides for those with hearing and visual impairments. Read more about here.

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Exploring London's St. Paul's Cathedral: A Visitor's Guide

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 24, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Seat of the Bishop of London and "parish church of the British Commonwealth," St. Paul's Cathedral is the largest and most famous of London's many churches. Situated on the site of a Roman temple, the present structure was built after the original church was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren , the resulting masterpiece is today one of Britain's most recognizable landmarks.

Wren's version of St. Paul's was begun in 1675 and completed in 1711. Interestingly, it was approved only after long wrangling with the church commissioners, who turned down his first two designs. The result was a compromise between Wren's original idea of a dome and the commissioners' preference for a plan in the form of a cross.

As built, however, St. Paul's is undoubtedly Wren's masterpiece. It's also a Renaissance church of spectacular dimensions: 515 feet long and 227 feet wide across the transepts, with two 212-foot-high towers and a magnificent 365-foot dome.

Since the repair of damage suffered by the cathedral during WWII and the cleaning of the façade to remove 250 years of accumulated grime, St. Paul's has been fully restored to its original majestic beauty and remains one of the top places to visit in London.

This is still very much a "working" church, and worshippers are welcome to join its daily services and prayer sessions. To learn more about the best things to do in St. Paul's Cathedral when you visit, read through our visitor's guide to this spectacular historic landmark.

See also: Where to Stay near St. Paul's Cathedral

Room for Great Views: The Magnificent Cathedral Dome

Quiet, please: the whispering gallery, the chapels, the quire (choir), oculus: an eye into st. paul's, the exterior, the cathedral collections, touring st. paul's cathedral, where to stay near st. paul's cathedral.

Although it can feel like a hard slog, no visit to St. Paul's would be complete without scaling the interior of the dome. All told, you'll face 528 steps to the top - a height of nearly 365 feet.

One of the largest such structures in the world, St. Paul's dome weighs almost 65,000 tons and consists of a unique three-dome structure, including a decorated interior dome, a middle dome built of brick (and largely unseen) for strength and support, and the exterior dome.

Stunning 360-degree views over London and the Thames are available from the exterior platforms accessible from both the Stone Gallery and Golden Gallery . Please note: While admission to the cathedral for sightseeing begins at 8:30am, the dome doesn't open to tourists until 9:30am.

There are 259 steps leading up to the spectacular Whispering Gallery, which runs around the dome at a height of 100 feet. It's so called because of its remarkable acoustic properties: it's possible to hear a whisper from across the dome's total width of 112 feet.

From here, visitors can see Thornhill's paintings up close and gain a breathtaking impression of the size and proportions of the nave far below.

From the Whispering Gallery, a further 117 steps lead up to the Stone Gallery around the outside of the dome, and a further 166 steps above this is the Golden Gallery .

It's from the nave - the long main section you walk along after entering the cathedral - that visitors get their first breathtaking glimpse of the interior of the Dome . Both a ceremonial and public space, it's where you'll see the huge 30-foot-tall Great West Door , as well as the eight scenes from the life of St. Paul painted by Thornhill .

In the north aisle stands an imposing monument to the Duke of Wellington, as well as two groups of statues representing valor and cowardice, truth and falsehood.

St. Paul's is also home to a number of interesting chapels, most of them accessible from the nave . All Souls' Chapel is a memorial chapel dedicated to Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, while adjoining St. Dunstan's Chapel (reserved for private prayer) has a 17th-century oak screen and a mosaic by Salviati.

Other chapels of note include one dedicated to St. Michael and St. George, the Middlesex Chapel, and the American Memorial Chapel commemorating the 28,000 Americans killed while traveling to (or stationed in) Britain during WWII. Two others are in the crypt : the Knights Bachelor Chapel and the OBE Chapel.

In addition to its choir stalls by Grinling Gibbons - of particular interest due to their fine oblong panels with carved foliage ornaments in pear wood - the choir boasts a magnificent high altar built from sketches left behind by Wren.

In the south choir aisle are the Lady Chapel and a statue of poet John Donne. This statue is famous for being the only monument from Old St. Paul's to survive the Great Fire of 1666.

The vast crypt contains the tombs of many notable figures , including the painters Constable, Turner, and Reynolds. Under the south aisle lies the simple tombstone of Sir Christopher Wren , as well as the tombs of two of England's greatest heroes, the Duke of Wellington , and Lord Nelson . The latter's coffin is particularly noteworthy, as it was made from the mast of the French flagship L'Orient .

A must-see while visiting St. Paul's is Oculus . This fascinating 270-degree film experience outlines the cathedral's 1,400 years of history. Also on show in the theater in the crypt are Resurgam: I Will Rise Again , a short film showing the devastation caused by the Great Fire and the Blitz ; Virtual Access: The Dome , a short film featuring the cathedral's magnificent domes; and Virtual Access: The Great Model , a bird's-eye view of Wren's famous model of St. Paul's.

Exterior features of interest include the 180-foot-long West Front, with its main entrance and columned portico surmounted by an upper colonnade. Also at the West Front is the statue of St. Paul above the pediment, and the two flanking statues of Saints James and Peter.

On either side of the portico are two Baroque towers - the West Towers - one of which houses a peal of 12 bells. The other houses Great Paul, the largest bell in England, which weighs almost 17 tons and was cast in 1882. (The bells are rung together on Sundays from 9:45 to 10:15am, 11 to 11:30am, and 2:40 to 3:15pm.)

The Cathedral Library houses St. Paul's superb collection of more than 21,000 books and manuscripts dating from 1690 (earlier works dating as far back as the 1300s were destroyed in the Great Fire).

As its name suggests, the Object Collection contains numerous artifacts associated with the history of St. Paul's and includes models, paintings, and archaeological findings. The Architectural Archive contains papers and drawings charting the building's design and construction.

Admission to St. Paul's includes use of excellent high-resolution touch-screen guides that feature film footage, images, interviews, and commentary relating to the cathedral. A version is also available for families and includes quizzes and fun interactive games.

Guided tours are also available and are included in the price of admission. They provide access to areas usually closed to the public.

Tip: To save yourself money, and to ensure you can get in to this popular London attraction, book your tickets in advance on the St. Paul's Cathedral website (see below).

• St. Paul's Churchyard, London
• www.stpauls.co.uk

We recommend these convenient hotels within walking distance of St. Paul's Cathedral in London:

• The Montague on the Gardens : A charming 4-star luxury hotel set in historic Georgian buildings, The Montague features elegant decor, individually decorated rooms, and an upscale restaurant and lounge (be sure to try their afternoon tea!).
• Apex London Wall Hotel : A good choice for its mid-range pricing, the Apex London Wall offers stylish decor, complimentary snacks, and Bose iPod docks. There's also a chic restaurant on-site.
• The Hoxton, Holborn : This affordable boutique hotel features cozy rooms, rainfall showers, complimentary water, and a hip restaurant.
• hub by Premier Inn Spitalfields, Brick Lane : This popular budget hotel has bright rooms and comfy beds, and should be considered if you want to be close to St. Paul's.

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Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral

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St. Paul’s Cathedral looks down on London from the highest point in the city. Not only does its familiar dome dominate the skyline, but also the cathedral itself carries so much history of London. This august cathedral has witnessed royal weddings, funerals of the famous, fires and destruction, wartime bombs, and the birth of new worldly ideas.

A visit to this stately cathedral is one of the top pleasures of London. Whether you are a fan of architecture, a student of history, a follower of the British royal family, or simply someone who seeks out the best views of a city, St. Paul’s should be on your itinerary.

Here is what you will want to know before you visit, including the cathedral background, events that have taken place here, and the areas of the cathedral you won’t want to miss.

How Old Is St. Paul’s Cathedral?

A cathedral dedicated to St. Paul of the New Testament has occupied this site for 1,400 years. The Catholic church built in 1087 survived for about 600 years. This was the third of the churches on this hill and was known for its medieval splendor. It fell into disrepair when King Henry VIII broke with the Catholic church during the English Reformation. The Great Fire of London in 1666 caused further damage, making a complete overhaul necessary.

The present cathedral, built between 1675 and 1710, was designed by Britain’s most famous architect, Sir Christopher Wren. Services in today’s cathedral first took place in 1697 and are still held regularly.

Relish This Superb Example Of Architecture

The cathedral is designed in the English Baroque style favored and made popular by Christopher Wren. Elements of classicism are combined with continental baroque style to result in cleaner lines. Construction fell under the program to rebuild the city after the Great Fire of London. Wren worked on 53 churches, and St. Paul’s Cathedral is his masterpiece. This cathedral can compare favorably with well-known domed churches in France and Italy.

What Famous Events Have Taken Place Here?

Millions watched the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul’s Cathedral on July 29, 1981. The cathedral’s magnificence proved a suitable venue for this world-famous ceremony.

Another major event held at St. Paul’s was the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill. During World War II, Prime Minister Churchill was well aware of the place the cathedral holds in the hearts of the British. He declared during the Blitz: “St. Paul’s must be saved at all costs.” Rescued from fires and repaired after bombings, St. Paul’s is forever associated with British resilience. It was fitting to have the service honoring Churchill in this place.

You can see the bronze memorial plaque commemorating Churchill inside the cathedral. It marks the spot where his coffin rested during the state funeral on January 30, 1965. His service was attended by Queen Elizabeth and dignitaries from around the world.

Pit Stock / Shutterstock

What To See When You Enter The Cathedral

At the entrance to the cathedral at the west end of the nave are the Great West Doors, which stand 30 feet tall and are used for special services and the arrival of visitors such as HM The Queen and the Lord Mayor of London.

St. Paul’s offers many areas you can explore once you are inside. The ground floor is wide and open, with a central aisle called the nave running down the middle. Take a seat and remain quiet and respectful as you soak up the elegant atmosphere.

As the nave reaches toward the High Altar, a Grand Organ stands. Installed in 1695, the organ has 7,189 pipes, five keyboards, and 138 organ stops.

The High Altar is made of marble and oak. Note the canopy, which is based on a sketch made by Wren but not built until 1958. The older altar suffered damage during a WWII bomb strike, so Wren’s design was finally used.

Visit The American Memorial Chapel And Book Of Names

Somewhat hidden behind the High Altar is the American Memorial Chapel , a lovely part of the cathedral built after this section’s destruction during the Blitz. The people of Britain opted to use this space to commemorate the Americans stationed in the UK during World War II. Notice the images decorating the wood, metal, and stained glass. These include flora and fauna of North America.

Most striking in this memorial based on the friendship of the British and Americans is the oversize leather-bound book open on a stand. The 500 pages of the book list the roll of honor: The 28,000 Americans who gave their lives during the war. The book opens with this statement: “Defending freedom from the fierce assault of tyranny they shared the honor and the sacrifice. Though they died before the dawn of victory, their names and deed will long be remembered wherever free men live.”

Dwight Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force and later president of the U.S., visited this memorial. He spoke these words: “Fittingly, this roll of honor has been enshrined by the Mother Country of all English-speaking democracies in this special chapel of St. Paul’s, once a target of barbaric attack.”

Pro Tip: This area is not visible from the main floor or nave. A priest heard us speaking with our American accent and invited us behind the altar to this small chapel. He was already ushering another American there. The priest helped him find his family member’s name in the heavy leather book. It was quite an emotional experience. If you are from the U.S., be sure to go on your own to seek out this moving tribute that I almost missed.

Nicol Nicolson / Shutterstock

Climb The Dome And Take In The View

St. Paul’s Cathedral dome is one of the most recognizable sights of London. And you can wind your way up the stairs, stopping at a couple of viewpoints (also known as resting stops) to end up high above the streets below.

At 365 feet high, the dome made the cathedral the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1963. It’s just 528 steps to the Golden Gallery, the highest point inside, where you can enjoy panoramic views of London. Those iconic red buses look like tiny toys from up here.

The first stop on the way up, after 257 steps, is the well-known Whispering Gallery. It gets its name from the amazing feature that allows a whisper on one side of the round gallery to be heard on the opposite side.

You can then continue climbing and stop at the Stone Gallery, which is 376 steps from the ground floor. After catching your breath, continue to the Golden Gallery and your reward of wonderful views.

Pro Tip: Wear sturdy walking shoes when you visit St. Paul’s. I wore flats that kept falling off as I climbed the steep stone stairs. Now I know better.

Discover The Crypt

In the underground of the cathedral, the crypt is the final resting place for some well-known English people, including Sir Christopher Wren, who designed St. Paul’s. His tomb at the east end of the crypt is marked with a simple stone, and his epitaph says, “Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you.”

Also buried here is Lord Nelson, killed at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. His black marble sarcophagus was first made for Cardinal Wolsey, Lord Chancellor, during Henry VIII’s reign. He fell out of favor, and the sarcophagus sat unused until hero Nelson’s death.

The crypt also contains many tombs and memorials of artists, scientists, and musicians. These include painter Sir Joshua Reynolds and scientist Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin.

Marvel At The Monuments

St. Paul’s is home to about 300 monuments. These can be found in the aisles, the nave, and the crypt.

Many are memorials to military figures in English history. You can also find memorials to honor civilians. The memorial of Randolph Caldecott in the crypt honors the British artist who inspired the literary Caldecott Medal. The memorial carries this inscription: “An artist whose sweet and dainty grace has not been in its kind surpassed: whose humor was as quaint as it was inexhaustible.”

Wander Around The Gardens And Courtyard

In the garden, you will immediately notice a tall column mounted with a gilded statue of St. Paul. This serves to honor the public preaching of the Christian faith here.

At the west entrance to the cathedral, a triangle-shaped relief shows St. Paul’s conversion to the Christian faith. Above that stand St. Paul and other apostles and evangelists.

Also in front of the cathedral is a statue of Queen Anne, who ruled at the time of the cathedral’s completion.

Fazlyeva Kamilla / Shutterstock

How To Plan Your Visit

St. Paul’s Cathedral is open daily. Four or five services are held every day. You can visit during these times. Just remember to be quiet and respectful. You can check for organ recitals and other programs you may want to attend during your time in London.

Your entrance ticket includes a 20-minute talk that will introduce you to the cathedral’s history and architecture. Guided tours in English show you some areas not usually open to tourists. These 90-minute tours are also free of charge.

To reach St. Paul’s, you can take the underground to the St. Paul station and walk 130 yards to the cathedral.

One of the best-known photos of London in World War II shows St. Paul’s Cathedral dome wreathed in smoke. A direct bomb hit set the church on fire. Churchill himself telephoned the firefighters to say that the church must not fall or the country’s morale would be sapped. And through heroic efforts, St. Paul’s survived. The dome and the cathedral symbolize strength. When you tour, you will be walking in the footsteps of so many, the famous and the everyday people, and you’ll long remember your time in this imposing cathedral.

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• 7 Incredibly Beautiful Churches In France Besides Notre Dame
• 9 Gorgeous Must-See Churches, Cathedrals, And Basilicas In The U.S.

As the owner of the travel blog, Exploring Our World , Sharon enjoys taking her readers on a journey with her. Articles often delve into the history of a place, and by adding in a generous number of photos, she inspires others to explore for themselves. In her early travels, she was most frustrated by coming back home and learning that she had missed a fascinating sight or a hidden gem. Now she helps travelers prepare for a trip by passing along travel tips, pointing out lesser known things to see, and alerting them to enjoyable day trips from major cities.

Her travel articles have been published by Stripes Europe Newsletter and the World War 2 Writing and Research Center. Whether she's discovering more about her hometown of San Diego, California or flying to faraway places, she enjoys sharing with travel lovers around the world.

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting St. Paul's Cathedral

St. paul's cathedral ultimate guide.

Its glowing blue dome can be seen for miles, and it’s also been a focal point for many important historical events in London; but once you tour the inside of St. Paul’s Cathedral, you’ll see why it has such an important place in London’s history.

Away from the ritz and glitz of London’s West End, St. Paul’s Cathedral and its surrounding streets feel as if they’ve been trapped in time. Not only is St. Paul’s perched on the highest point of the City of London, it’s also the second largest church building in the UK, and one of the oldest landmarks in London.

St. Paul’s Cathedral was built on the former location of a church, which had dated back to 604 AD. Legend has it that King Ethelbert of Kent built this wooden church in dedication to the apostle Paul, but the church suffered massive damage in two separate fires, as well as in The Great Fire of London in 1666. The Cathedral as it is seen today was built between 1675 and 1710, and was designed by architect Sir Christopher Wren (who was influenced by Michelangelo’s dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome).

Throughout its history, St. Paul’s has served as a key location for several important events in British history, such as the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1981, and the funerals of Lord Nelson, Winston Churchill, the Duke of Wellington and Margaret Thatcher. It's no surprise that many guides consider this stunning church the highlight of any free tour in the City of London!

St. Paul's Cathedral Highlights

From chapels and monuments, to religious art, statues and galleries, it seems like every nook and cranny of St. Paul’s offers some kind of surprise or historical delight any visitor will appreciate. Make sure to visit the church after a free tour in the area so you can make the most of this wonderful landmark!

Upon entering, visitors will be greeted with the eight scenes of life of St. Paul (which were painted by Thornhill), as well as the Nave (the large, ceremonial and public space which also contains the Great West Door). At the northern section of the aisle stands the famous Duke of Wellington monument, as well as a group of statues representing valor, cowardice, truth and falsehood.

No visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral would be complete without walking up the 560 steps to the top of the Dome and the Whispering Gallery. This massive circular enclosure provides visitors with magnificent views of the interior of the Cathedral from up above, and it is said that even the slightest whisper can be heard throughout the cathedral thanks to the Gallery’s impressive acoustics.

If you have the stamina, you can also walk a further 117 steps to view the Stone Gallery, and another 166 steps for the Golden Gallery.

Another famous area inside St. Paul’s Cathedral would be the crypt, which is located on the bottom floor. Here you will see the final resting places of several notable people in London’s history, such as the tombs of The Duke of Wellington, Christopher Wren, and Admiral Nelson, just to name a few.

Visitors can also visit Oculus inside a theatre in the crypt, which provides visitors with a 270-degree film experience highlighting the extensive history of St. Paul’s Cathedral. During the film viewers will learn about everything from The Great Fire of London to the Blitz, as well as more information on the architectural design of the cathedral.

There are also several chapels located within St. Paul’s Cathedral such as the All Soul’s Chapel (dedicated to Field Marshal Lord Kitchener), and St Dunstan’s Chapel (which is reserved only for private prayer). There is also a chapel dedicated to St. Michael and St. George, the Middlesex Chapel, and the American Memorial Chapel (commemorating the 28,000 Americans who were killed in Britain during World War II).

Special Tips

Getting There

Visiting st. paul's cathedral.

Included in the admission ticket is an audio tour guide which is available in several different languages. The audio tour features a touch-screen multimedia guide with headphones, so you can listen to the tour and walk at your own pace throughout the cathedral.

Be forewarned that photography inside the cathedral is forbidden, and if you plan on walking up the 257 steps to the Whispering Gallery, make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes.

Visitors can attend church services for free, and there is also a cafeteria and gift shop inside the cathedral as well.

Ticket prices and Opening Hours

St. Paul’s Cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (with last admission at 4:15 p.m.), and the recommended visiting time is approximately two hours.

Tickets at the door cost £18 for adults, £16 for students and seniors, and £8 for children (ages six to 17). If you purchase your ticket online beforehand, you can save up to £2 per ticket, and also get fast-track entry.

The admission ticket includes entry into the cathedral floor and crypt, as well as the three galleries in the dome. Be aware that the cathedral may be closed on selected dates for events, so it may be a good idea to check the official website before you visit.

Visitors will not be allowed to bring any large bags or luggage with them upon entry, and all bags will be searched by security personnel.

There is a cafe and restaurant on the lower floor of the cathedral.

If you are checking out St Paul’s Cathedral you might also want to join any of the  free tours in London  that are available on offer.

Free Tours in Your Language

Visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral In London, The Ultimate Guide

St. Paul’s Cathedral is an iconic landmark in London that’s likely on your London bucket list. It’s the largest and most famous of London’s many churches. It’s the seat of the Bishop of London and parish church of the British Commonwealth.

In this St. Paul’s guide, I give you an overview of the cathedral and tell you what to see inside. I also give you tips for visiting and climbing the magnificent dome, which is a must do.

Here’s a snapshot of what you can see on a visit:

• cupola frescos
• crypt & tombs
• Harry Potter staircase

Tickets & Tours For St. Paul’s Cathedral

Click  here  to purchase a ticket to visit St. Paul’s Cathedral. You also have free skip the line entry to the cathedral if you purchased the London Pass .

You may want to book a guided tour of the cathedral because there is so much to see inside — mosaics, funerary tombs, sculptures, and artworks.

You can book a  2.5 hour guided tour  of St. Paul’s and other London viewpoints. You can also book a 3 hour private tour of St. Paul’s .

You can customize this private tour and may see some of St. Paul’s secret spots (like the triforium and spiral staircase) that aren’t on a standard tour.

A Short History of St. Paul’s Cathedral

A cathedral dedicated to St. Paul has stood on Ludgate Hill for 1,400 years. The first church was built around 604 A.D.

A guide may tell you that it was built on a Roman temple. But that tale has been debunked.

The cathedral has a colorful history. It’s been looted, burned, and destroyed.

The St. Paul’s Cathedral you see today is actually the fifth to be built on this site. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, England’s foremost architect.

Wren planned a mosaicked and colorful cathedral interior. But this idea found an unreceptive audience and was deemed too “Rome-ish.”

The Anglican clergy wanted to distance St. Paul’s from the over-the-top Baroque decoration of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The result was an austere cathedral without colorful decoration.

To try to brighten up the place, the Victorians later added glittering mosaics around the apse, choir, and inside the dome.

St. Paul’s miraculously survived the Blitz during WWII, with only minor damage.

The dome stood courageously in the fire and smoke from the incendiary bombs. It became a symbol of Nazi resistance and renewal.

The dark Victorian glass was blown out and beautiful stained glass replaced it. The pink marble Victorian high altar was also smashed to bits.

It was replaced with the current baldachin, which was originally designed by Wren.

If you head to the west end of the nave, you can see a large white diamond shaped floor tile. It’s a memorial to the volunteers of the St. Paul’s Watch, the team responsible for defending the cathedral from attack.

St. Paul’s has been the site of royal funerals and weddings and events of international importance.

The cathedral hosted the funerals for Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Sir Winston Churchill, and Margaret Thatcher.

Martin Luther King stopped here to preach on his way to pick up his Nobel Prize. This was where Princess Diana and Prince Charles were married.

The cathedral hosted the Thanksgiving services for the Silver, Golden, and Diamond Jubilees and the 80th and 90th birthdays of Queen Elizabeth II.

Guide To St. Paul’s Cathedral: What To See

Here are the highlights and best things to see at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

1. Exterior Facade

The cathedral has the scale and classicism of St. Peters Basilica in Rome. It’s a church of spectacular dimensions: 515 feet long and 227 feet wide across the transepts.

There are two 212 foot high towers on the west facade and a magnificent 365 foot dome.

The west front is dominated by a triangular pediment. It depicts Saint Paul’s conversion to Christianity.

Various statues surround the cathedral. You’ll see a statue of Queen Anne, a statute of Saint Paul, and The Fearless Girl sculpture.

Heading inside, the first thing you see is the grand nave. Wren keep the medieval concept of a nave with side aisles. But rather than use cross vaults, he substituted saucer dome vaults.

The west end of the nave is dominated by the great West Doors. This is the ceremonial entrance used for VIPs. The white marble font used for baptisms is placed in front of that door.

The nave is a space of a dual nature. Part of it has the classic architectural ornamentation designed by Wren. But the character changes from the dome up to the apse.

Two centuries after Wren’s building was completed, it was decided that the cathedral needed some brightening up. So, colorful mosaics were added in the Victoria era giving the cathedral a more ornate feel.

3. Nave Monuments

The nave is scattered with many monuments and sculptures.

The most spectacular monument is the Duke of Wellington memorial in the central bay. Wellington was best known for defeating Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815.

The monument was created in 1818 by Neo-Classical sculptor John Flaxman. It’s considered one of the most important sculptures from the 19th century.

The arched sculpture recalls a classical Roman triumphal arch. Beneath it is a recumbent bronze effigy of the duke.

Above it is an equestrian statue. The statue sits on a plinth decorated with a group of allegorical figures known as Valour and Cowardice and Truth and Falsehood . They are strongly influenced by Michelangelo .

I also liked the Henry Moore statue, Mother and Child . Moore was one of Britain’s foremost sculptors, practically inventing the genre of modern sculpture.

He received the commission for the statue in 1983 and even chose the location for his work.

Close to Moore’s sculpture are two pairs of beautiful wrought iron gates. They were made by Jean Bijou around 1700.

The quire was the first part of the cathedral to be built and is its most sacred space. Originally, it was walled off with an elaborate rood screen. But that was removed in the 1860s.

Both sides of the quire have exquisitely carved wooden stalls with canopies. They were created by the Dutch sculptor Grinling Gibbons.

The quire bays and aisles have hundreds of mosaics. They depicts narrative scenes from the Old Testament.

The quire is still used for its original purpose. It’s where the choir, clergy, and people sit for Evensong, a service that thanks god for the day.

St. Paul’s is also home to a number of interesting chapels, most of them accessible from the nave.

St. Dunstan’s Chapel was consecrated in 1699. It was dedicated to St. Dunstan, an Archbishop of Canterbury.

The chapel is important because the sacrament hangs above the altar. You can light a candle here. There are also beautiful mosaics on the west and east walls.

The Chapel of St. Michael and St. George is filled with banners. The banners are for the current knight and officers of the Order.

The Chapel of Saints Erkenwald and Ethelburga has a beautiful altarpiece painted by the Pre-Raphaelite artist William Holden Hunt called the Light of the World . 

It depicts Christ in a dark wood, holding a lantern and knocking at an overgrown door with no handle. The painting traveled the world in 1905 and achieved cult status.

READ : Pre-Raphaelite Paintings In London

Consecrated in 1958, the American Memorial Chapel is behind the high altar at the east end of the cathedral. The chapel commemorates Americans who were stationed in Britain during WWII.

At the heart of the chapel is a leather bound book, an honor role to the 28,000 Americans who served and gave their lives. The stained glass windows contain the symbols of all states.

6. Cupola Frescos

The cupola of the dome was painted by James Thornhill. The guards will encourage you to lay down on the sundial beneath it to get the best photo. 

In June 1715, Thornhill was officially awarded the much-coveted commission to decorate the dome, for which he had been competing since 1709.

Thornhill worked on the dome from 1715-19. The frescos depict eight scenes from the life of St. Paul.

The terms of the commission required Thornhill to use a muted palette of stone like browns. Wren reputedly hated the gloomy murals. He had wanted mosaics in the dome. But that proved to be too expensive and showy.

Unfortunately, the Thornhill originals deteriorated over time. So the monochromatic designs were repainted in 1853-56 and again restored in 2003-05.

Queen Victoria famously though St. Paul’s was “dull and dingy.” In response to that remark, over 6 million mosaics were installed in 1896-1904.

The ceiling mosaics illustrate the story of creation from the Old Testament, with Adam and Eve being tempted and expelled from paradise.

The wall mosaics tell the story of the annunciation, when the angel Gabriel tells Mary she will give birth to Jesus.

The mosaics have a twin inspiration — ancient Byzantine mosaics from Ravenna Italy and designs from the British Arts and Crafts era.

READ : Guide To the Mosaics of Ravenna

The mosaic designs were created by the painter William Black Richmond, a pupil of John Ruskin.

The artist Edward Burne-Jones had turned down the job, not wanting to mess with Wren’s creation. Richmond, on the other hand, saw it as the opportunity of a lifetime.

His plan was ambitious. The ceilings of the quire, its walls and aisles were to be encrusted with millions of tesserae made of colored glass and gold leaf.

Richmond also designed stained glass windows to accompany his mosaic work, but these designs were lost in WWII.

The mosaics are dazzling and vividly colored. A risen Christ in judgment presides over all, high in the apse above the high altar.

Taking his inspiration from the Book of Revelation, Richmond depicts Christ triumphant, his arms raised in blessing. He is flanked by recording angels who have lists of the actions and prayers of each individual.

Richmond was most proud of The Creation of the Fishes in the central saucer dome. He used the mosaics to masterful effect creating a turbulent, frothing sea populated with lithe and fearsome fishes.

Eight mosaics were also added under the main dome. The V-shaped spandrel mosaics depict prophets and evangelists against a gold background.

8. Baldachin

The cathedral’s baldachin, or high altar, was added in 1958. It was designed to reflect Wren’s original intent. There’s a gilded statue of Jesus on the top.

To me, it resembles the baldachin designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The crypt is the cathedral’s burial chamber. It’s largest of its kind in Europe. Three death heads mark the entrance.

The crypt is the final resting place of a number of famous Brits, including Admiral Horatio Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, and Sir Christopher Wren himself.

Nelson’s black marble sarcophagus is one of the oldest things inside the cathedral.

It was made in the 1520s for Cardinal Wolsey, Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor. When Henry and Wolsey fell out over Henry’s divorce plans, the sarcophagus was never used.

The wooden coffin inside the sarcophagus was made from the timber of the French flagship,  L’Orient , which Nelson defeated in battle.

Wren is buried in the south aisle of the crypt’s Chapel of St. Faith. Fittingly, the tomb inscribed with the words “if you seek his monument, look around you.”

Lord Wellington is buried in a simple but imposing granite casket. It’s surrounded by banners that were used in his funeral procession.

Surrounding the chapel are memorials to figures from the arts and sciences, including the famous British painters Joshua Reynolds, John Everett Millais, William Blake, and J.M.W. Tuner.

READ : Guide To the Tate Britain Museum

St. Paul’s renowned dome crowns the intersection of its arms. It’s one of the largest cathedral domes in the world, weighing in at 65,000 tons. It may have been inspired by Bramante’s Tempietto in Rome.

St. Paul’s dome is actually several domes. It has a three dome structure: the exterior dome, a middle dome, and the inner dome.

The middle dome has an unseen brick core that supports the stone lantern. An iron belt prevents the dome from bulging outward.

The best place to see and get a shot of the dome is from the One New Change shopping center. Head to the 6th floor for a free view.

11. Dome Climb

The cathedral admission includes access to climb to the top of the dome. The entrance is to your right after you enter the cathedral.

I highly recommend this, if you’re able to ascend the 528 steps.

But be forewarned, it’s a steep spiral climb and a hard slog. The stairway is dimly lit and not for the faint of heart. You may have to mind your head. In some parts, there are no hand rails.

12. Dome Galleries

Within the dome’s structure, there are three galleries — the famous Whispering Gallery, the Stone Gallery, and the Golden Gallery. 

You reach the Whispering Gallery by climbing 259 steps. From here, visitors can see Thornhill’s paintings up close and gain a breathtaking impression of the size and proportions of the nave below.

The Whispering Gallery has unique acoustics. Sounds travels around the circular hall. So a whisper on one side can be heard on the other side.

To test it out, enter the gallery with a travel partner, stand on opposite sides, and face the wall. If you whisper facing the wall, the sound of your voice will travel around the curved edge and reach your friend.

Unfortunately, the Whispering Gallery was closed when I visited, so I didn’t get to try this experiment.

Two higher galleries encircle the outside of the dome. It’s another 119 steps up is the Stone Gallery. From there, there are   great views, as it’s an outside area around the dome.

The Golden Gallery is the third gallery. It encircles the highest point of the outer dome and is the smallest gallery.

You can inspect the iconic dome at closer range.The views from the gallery are spectacular and take in many London landmarks including the River Thames, Tate Modern, and the Globe Theater.

13. Secret Spiral Staircase

There’s also a secret spiral staircase in the southwest bell tower. The staircase was used in the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban . It was the Divination Staircase used to gain access to Professor Trelawney’s Divination classroom. 

In real life, the staircase is known as the Dean’s Stairs. It was designed by Christopher Wren in 1705 and built by William Kempster.

You can’t access the staircase on a standard visit to St. Paul’s. It’s under lock and key.

You will only see it on a guided Harry Potter tour, a private tour, or a Triforium tour. If you’re on a private tour, your guide can ask for the key at the guide desk. The key to unlock the staircase is massive and clunky, something you’d expect to see in the Harry Potter movies.

At the top of the staircase, you’ll have a beautiful view of the nave, sometimes dubbed the “BBC View.”

READ : Guide To Harry Potter Places in London

14. Triforium

Like every major cathedral, St. Paul’s has a “Triforium.” It’s a gallery above the arches of the nave within the thickness of an inner wall. Triforiums are usually closed off to the public.

St. Paul’s Triforium is only open on a very limited basis, so check the website to book tickets .

Public tours are £10 and leave at 12:30 pm. To get to the Triforium, you climb the Dean’s Staircase I mentioned above.

Usually, triforiums are used to store extra artifacts. But St. Paul’s has a secret treasure inside the Triforium’s Trophy Room — the original model for St. Paul’s created by Wren.

Wren struggled with the St. Paul’s design. He went through many iterations trying to please his patrons. Finally, Wren built a massive wooden model for King Charles II so he could see the architect’s vision.

The king was convinced and construction began. But many design changes from the original were made during construction. Some historians say the original model was, architecturally speaking, Wren’s finest work.

15. Library

The Cathedral Library is a secret space in St. Paul’s. It has a gorgeous 18th century interior that was recently renovated.

The library is undergoing an extensive conservation to enhance environmental condition for the books and conserve the room. The library will re-open to the public in July 2022.

The library houses St. Paul’s superb collection of more than 21,000 books and manuscripts dating from 1690. When it’s reopened, you can see it if you book the Triforium tour.

Practical Guide & Tips For St. Paul’s Cathedral

Address : St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4

Hours : The Cathedral is open to visitors every day from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. However, on Sunday, the cathedral is open for worship only and there is no sightseeing. The dome galleries don’t open until 9:30 am.

Services : There are services Monday to Saturday at 7:30 am, 12:30 pm, and evensong at 5:00 pm.

Note : The Whispering Gallery is temporarily closed, with no estimate of when it will reopen.

Ticket Price : £20.50 or free with the London Pass . The admission price includes use of excellent high resolution touch screen guides that feature film footage, images, interviews, and commentary relating to the cathedral.

Free Tours : Introductory talks about the architecture and history are given throughout the day. These free talks last from 15 to 20 minutes. Ask about the next one at the guide desk when you arrive.

Tube Stops : The nearest stops are St. Paul’s, Mansion House, and Blackfriars.

Museum Shop : If you need a souvenir or a guide book, there’s a large museum shop in the crypt. There are also restrooms and a cafe.

Where To Stay Near St. Paul’s Cathedral

Want to stay near the cathedral? It’s close to plenty of London’s other must visit attractions.

You can check out the Vintry & Mercer , a new luxury hotel with bespoke rooms. Cheval Calico House offers up luxury apartment suites.

And the Bankside Hotel Autograph Collection is an intimate six story hotel with a beautiful art collection.

Is St. Paul’s Cathedral Worth Visiting?

Yes the cathedral is definitely worth visiting and going inside. It’s one of London’s most iconic landmarks, a national treasure, and Wren’s defining masterpiece. The architecture, mosaics, and monuments are all stunning.

If the ticket price is too steep, try to attend a service to at least get a sense of the interior.

In the crypt, you can watch  Oculus . It’s fascinating film experience that narrates the cathedral’s 1,400 years of history. The film allows you to virtually climb the many steps to the dome galleries, if you didn’t make it up there yourself.

Another way to see St. Paul’s is to visit the mall next to the cathedral, the One New Change shopping center. From the 6th floor, which you can access for free, you’ll have great close up views of the dome. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to St. Paul’s Cathedral. You may enjoy these other England travel guides and resources:

• 5 Days in London Itinerary
• One Day In Bath Itinerary
• Guide To Free Museums in London
• Guide To the National Gallery of Art
• Harry Potter Places in London
• Guide To the Churchill War Rooms
• Guide To The Wallace Collection
• Tourist Traps To Avoid in London
• Guide To the Tower of London
• Guide To Hampton Court Palace
• Guide To Hatfield House
• Guide To The Henry VII Chapel

If you’d like to visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, pin it for later.

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Last Updated on November 14, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

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St paul’s cathedral hours + 7 other tips for your visit.

I’m ashamed to say it, but it’s true, despite all the time I’ve spent, lived and studied in London, I’ve never before visited St Paul’s Cathedral!

In fact, I‘d never even thought about visiting it!

That was until, of course, pandemo madness has had been trapped here in London and well, why I was passing my days in this city and not out adventuring on the road, I thought it was about time I checked out some of this capital’s greatest icons.

So, after putting out the word via my Instagram , Facebook and Twitter channels, I discovered that for many of you, your absolute view of London is from the top of St Paul’s Cathedral!

While I was sold!

So just before lockdown 2.0, I scuttled off there and can now bring you my top 8 tips for visiting this amazing place including, crucially St Paul’s Cathedral hours and how to get your hands on tickets the cheapest way.

After all, being one of the top 25 famous buildings to visit in London , intricately desecrated inside and out, home to a famous choir and built by the famous architect Christopher Wren, it turns out this place has quite a lot going for it… even if you’re not religious.

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#1 Cathedral Opening Hours

So first up on this visiting guide, is the number piece of info you all what to know.

That is, what are the St Paul’s Cathedral hours, in other words, what time are they open?

And the answer is that, outside of coronavirus restriction, normally St Paul’s is open Monday through Saturday year-round.

It is open from 8:30 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon.

Within that, it’s worth noting that the galleries do not open until 9:30am and that the last entrance time for visitors is half an hour before closing at 4pm.

Last entrance to the Galleries is a 4:15pm.

Probably worth pointing out too here, that the Galleries are the parts of the Cathedral which are elevated outside – essentially, the Dome areas.

You can still enter the church after visiting hours however, for the 5pm Choral Evensong, which last 45 minutes.

This is when you can experience St Paul’s for free, but of course, you can’t wander around, take photos or visit the Dome at this time.

Visitors after 4:30pm come for the religious service and singing.

This is also true of the daily Eucharist service, which takes place at St Paul’s Monday to Saturday at 12:30pm.

On Sundays the Church is only open for religious services, which take place as follows:

Holy Communion: 8am

Choral Mattins: 8:45am

Sung Eucharist: 11:00am

Choral Evensong: 3pm

Organ Recital: 4:30pm

Eucharist 5:30pm

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#2 How to Get Tickets

There’s 2 places you can buy St Paul’s Cathedral tickets and this keeps things nice and simple.

The first is via the Cathedral’s website.

Booking online offers you a slightly cheaper ticket price (so it’s worth it for us budget travellers) and also allows you to reserve your space – key in these corona times!

You can book tickets online up to 1 month in advance and entry slots are given in 30 minute intervals.

Group tickets of between 10-30 people can also be made online, as can reservations for those with annual passes, which allow them unlimited entries to the Cathedral within a year.

You can also buy annual passes, which essentially count as a donation towards the Cathedral on their website too.

Online adult tickets for a single entry cost £17, with concessions priced at £15 and child tickets at £7.20 Under 5 years old can enter for free, as can disabled visitors.

There are also a range of family tickets (with varying number of adults and children) which may work out more cost-effective for you.

You can also buy tickets at the Cathedral entrance in person if you need.

Here the tickets cost £1 more than the corresponding online tickets.

If you have a London Pass, then it’s very useful to know the entrance to St Paul’s Cathedral is included free in this great tourist companion.

Learn more about the London Pass here .

#3 Tour or Independent Visit?

The good news is that your entrance ticket does come with a free audio guide.

You can collect this just within the entrance, after you have either bought or shown your ticket.

The Audio Guide is both extensive and well put together.

It is very comprehensive and gives you a huge overview of the Cathedral’s history, its modern-day role, its community, its architecture and its journey through the ages.

It’s a fascinating way to learn about St Paul’s and if you listen to every single section you could spend hours in here wandering around and soaking in all the info.

For this reason, it’s not necessary to take a guided tour of St Paul’s as the audio guide allows you to wander the Cathedral and learn about its history at your own pace.

That said, if you do want to learn more either about Christopher Wren – the famous architect who designed the Cathedral – or quite why St Pauls is so famous, the role the Cathedral plays in the Church of England or who has been married or remembered here, then you may want to consider a tour.

There are several great London tours that include St Paul’s in their itinerary.

Check out the following top-rated options:

• London Highlight Guided Bike Tour
• Private London Tour by Car
• Changing of the Guard Walking Tour of London
• Hop-On Hop-Off London Sightseeing Bus Tour
• Full Day London Tours including Thames river cruise, London Eye ride, private tour of the Tower of London and professional guide Inside St Paul’s

The Cathedral also run some of their own independent guided tours.

Many of these are free once you have paid the admission, but only run at set times, which aren’t always known in advance.

You can learn more here .

#4 When to Visit

We’ve already discussed opening times, so as long as you visit within them you can go inside St Paul’s and out around the Dome anytime.

That said, there are probably some better times to pick within that wider timeframe.

There’s no question St Paul’s Cathedral is an iconic spot for London tourists to visit and during the peak tourist months of July, August and December, the Cathedral can get incredibly rammed.

In fact, one of the reasons I decided to visit St Paul’s in 2020 was thanks to the pandemic-induced lack of tourists in the city, which basically meant I had St Paul’s all to myself!

This was a great time to visit.

As was the fact I visited in November, later in the afternoon to be precise, when the sunset was happening around 5pm.

This meant that at the end of my visit, when I was up in the Galleries, I was able to witness the views from St Paul’s Dome across London during golden hour!

And what a golden hour!

Honestly, the views where incredible here and certainly the soft orange hues made it even more special.

If you want to capture sunset from the top of St Paul’s over London, then this is definitely one of the best times to visit.

#5 How Long to Allow for Visit

What with the audio guide to listen to from back to front and the epic views to enjoy from the Galleries, there’s no question you should allow at least a few hours for your trip to St Paul’s Cathedral.

And that’s not to mention the choir stalls, the crypt and the other parts of the church too….

#6 Parts of St Paul’s Cathedral to Visit

Which leads me nicely into my next section about the different parts of this Cathedral you can visit.

Yes I didn’t realise before I visited just how huge St Paul’s was and how much there was to see here.

Thankfully the Audio Guide is divided up neatly into nice sections, so you can wander through in an order that makes sense to you.

In general terms, the different parts of the Cathedral comprise of The Nave (the main section of the Church) the 2 wings or side sections known as The North and South Transepts, The Quire, The Crypt and The Galleries.

The Audio Guide covers all these sections in great details and from different points of view – be that historical, architectural, cultural or religious.

The only part the Audio Guide doesn’t cover are the Galleries.

These are essentially the parts of the Cathedral around the outside of the Dome that are elevated and have you looking over London.

#7 Accessing The Dome & Why You Should

So now we’re going to move on to talk about The Gallery or Dome parts of the Cathedral.

And I kinda thought these guys deserved their own section because, if you’re not religious, they are likely to be the most spectacular parts of the Cathedral.

At least they were in my eyes!

When you sit in The Nave, you can gaze up into the centre of the Dome as it arcs out of the ceiling and allows you to admire the incredibly artistic murals that have been crafted onto it.

Honestly, you can sit under this and stare up at it for ages.

Even if you don’t care about the Christian scenes it depicts, there’s no getting away from how impressive this is!

To access the external areas of the Dome you have to climb a lot of steep and winding steps, so do be prepared you need a pretty good level of fitness to get up here!

You have been warned!

That said, this was not as tough as climbing up Strasbourg Cathedral in 30 degree+ heat which I did in the summer!

Anyway, I digress, the point is, once you start climbing stairs you’ll first off reach the Whispering Gallery.

Continue on up to the Stone Gallery where you really come out into the open sky of London and start glimpsing the amazing 360 degrees views St Paul’s gives, albeit through some kinda cement railings.

You can get good snaps here, but you have to go up close to cut off the railings, so you don’t get the full effect, although it is still very nice.

For the full effect, you need to climb up a little more to the Golden Gallery – the real jewel in the crown for the most amazing views over Central London.

Cameras at the ready, this is a winner!

#8 What to Prep for Your Visit

So now we come to my final tip for visiting St Paul’s Cathedral and that is about how to prep for your time here.

Largely this involves, what to bring, as we’ve already touched on the need to be fit to conquer those steep stairs up to the gallery!

So, as I’ve just mentioned in the section above, a camera is a must for your trip to St Paul’s, especially if you want to snap those amazing aerial views over London.

I love my Sony A600 , which was perfect for the job.

I’d also ensure that you bring a good day pack with you, so you can house everything you’re carrying easily, leaving your hands free for either the audio guide or your camera!

A water bottle to help you stayed hydrated is also a good idea.

And don’t forget a lightweight waterproof you can fold up into the daypack if you don’t need it – this is London after all, so there’s always a good chance it could rain when you are around the Dome!

PIN IT TO PINTEREST!

And that’s it my guide to St Paul’s Cathedral hours of visiting, along with 7 other top tips for your visit here.

I hope this post has been useful.

Have you visited this amazing London icon?

Have any advice to share?

Please drop it into the comments below and help any fellow travellers out…

Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

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Time to tour Saint Pauls Cathedral

How much time do you need to tour Saint Paul's Cathedral? With a trip to the top.

Rick's London book says 2 hours if you climb the dome, 1 hour if you don't.

there is a lot of detail to see in St Pauls (and Westminster Abbey etc), if English history interests you you could spend many more hours looking at all the inscriptions etc.

I would honestly give yourself a few hours minimum whane seeing St Pauls or Westminster Abbey. We thought htat this would be a good fast visit through St Pauls. The lower level tombs didn't take much time to see, however, the dome? Your breath is taken away and you can just sit in the chairs under it and enjoy the serenity and think. The audio tour is well worth the time and price for the details . Climbing to the top is in stages and it is not easy to just sprint up the spirals. Try to take in the construction details, the iron works , the sound traveling along the walls and of course the views. After acsending to the top and returning to the basement, we chose to rest for a bit and enjoy some snacks and drinks to catch our breath and plan out the next adventure. Westmintser Abbey is the same thing. The history and details to be seen can't be appreciated in a fast stroll. The nice thing about the location is that after you leave, one can walk across the Millenium Bridge to enjoy the Thames, see the Tate Modern, Globe Theater or catch a cruise boat. We planned our day to start off leaving the Hotel by taking a doubel decker bus to the center and walking to St Pauls. Later, we would walk across the Millenium Bridge. The afternoon was based on us seeing Macbeth at the Globe Theater at @ PM. Tremendous performance! We had a leasurely lunch at a nice place down the walk overlooking the Thames. Walking back to the Globe we found that the Tate Modern had free admission and enjoyed that for about a half hour seeing [INVALID] works that interested us. There were plenty of people on the lawn and on the walk enjoying the day as we walked a few minutes to the Globe Theater. After the performance we had the 99p cone from the Ice Cream Truck. There is a dock right there to catch any of the Thames river cruises and that led us to enjoy the late afternoon travelling to the Tower Bridge, turning around and ending up at the Millenium Wheel. Enjoy the history.

My rule of thumb is to plan one major site in the morning and one in the afternoon................................... I keep notes on other sites/activities in the area, if I find myself with extra time available......................................It seems more likely that getting to, through and out of a site takes longer than you expected and you find yourself rushing to keep up with your plan.

Thanks for all of the advice.

My cousin is a guide on Thursdays - ask for Viv. She does a 2 hour tour but the trip to the top is not included. Amazing building. So plan 3 hours.

We make it a habit to see every big cathedral that is nearby. Having seen so many, I couldn't imagine spending more than an hour touring one on the main floor. If you are new to the experience, by all means spend more time. However, the climb to the top between the two layers of the dome is my favorite part. Add an hour for that experience & if you are physically able don't even consider passing it up....

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Mini-Movies included

The American Memorial Chapel The Construction of the Dome The Dome - Decorative scheme Samuel Johnson, 'Dr Johnson' George Washington The Great Fire of London Grinling Gibbons Historical Events in St Paul's Cathedral Inigo Jones Jean Tijou Horatio Herbert Kitchener, Lord Kitchener The Light of the World Mosaics in the Quire Monument to Lord Nelson The Tomb of Lord Nelson Old St Paul's Cathedral The Organ Roll of Honour The Font Triforum Level - The Great Model Joseph Mallord William Turner Monument to the Duke of Wellington Tomb of the Duke of Wellington Whispering Gallery New St Paul's: Wren's commission Sir Christopher Wren

360° Panoramas included

The Nave - The Vestibule, Great West Door The Nave The Great Circle under the Dome The Quire - West End The Quire - High Altar The Apse - American Memorial Chapel The Quire - High Altar The North Transept - West Side The Great Circle - Northern Edge The South Transept - East Side The Great Circle - Southern Edge South Aisle - Central Bay St Dunstan's Chapel St Paul's Cathedral - The West Front The Crypt - Northwest of Nelson's Tomb The Cathedral Treasury The Crypt - East of Nelson's Tomb The Crypt - South Side of Wellington Tomb The Chapel of St Faith The Crypt - OBE Chapel Southeast Side The Crypt - Nelson's Tomb Triforum Level - The Great Model The Golden Gallery Roof

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Climbing the Dome at St Paul's Cathedral in London

St Paul's Cathedral

There's much to explore in St Paul's Cathedral , the stunning Baroque church designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1673. Alongside the awe-inspiring interiors and the crypt that houses tombs of some of the nation's greatest heroes (including Admiral Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington), the dome is one of its most striking features. 

At 111.3 meters high, it's one of the world's largest cathedral domes and weighs a hefty 65,000 tons. The cathedral is built in the shape of a cross and the dome crowns the intersection of its arms. Inside the dome, you'll find three galleries and you'll be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the London skyline. 

St. Paul's Galleries

The first is the Whispering Gallery which can be reached by 259 steps (30 meters high). Go to the Whispering Gallery with a friend and stand on opposite sides and face the wall. If you whisper facing the wall the sound of your voice will travel around the curved edge and reach your friend. It really does work!

Note: Do not start the climb if you do not think you can make it as it's one way up and another way down. (The stairway gets too narrow for passing.)

If you choose to continue up, the Stone Gallery offers some great views as it's an outside area around the dome and you can take photos from here. It is 378 steps to the Stone Gallery (53 meters from the cathedral floor).

At the top is the Golden Gallery, reached by 528 steps from the cathedral floor. This is the smallest gallery and encircles the highest point of the outer dome. The views from here are spectacular and take in many London landmarks including the River Thames, Tate Modern, and the Globe Theatre. If you enjoy skyline views, you might like to also consider Up at The O2 , The Monument , and The London Eye .

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St. Paul's Cathedral Free Entry | How to Attend a Mass Service

This post covers how to visit St. Paul's Cathedral for free, tours you can take, when they hold mass, and what you will see on your visit.

As a London tour guide and resident, I can tell you that the majestic St. Paul Cathedral is a popular attraction for good reason.

I've taken many of my own guests there and directed many Free Tours By Foot tour guests there.

To help write this particular post, I've used some of my and my fellow guides' experiences visiting the cathedral.

People like you, travelers, who have joined our London Travel Tips Facebook group, have helped to create some of this content as well.

The group has almost 165,000 members so it's a great place to look for answers to questions and learn more about London.

Here's to an enjoyable visit to what is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world!

• Plan Your Visit
• Ways to Save
• Attend a Service  (Free)
• Things to See at St. Paul's
• Tips from Locals and Travelers
• Things to Do in London

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Here are details you will need to know ahead of your visit, including how to visit St. Paul's Cathedral for free.

Since this is a functioning church, it is free to  attend a service . But to experience all of St. Paul's glory, including its  historic galleries, tombs, and domes , you must buy tickets. We go over the ticket options below .

Visitor Hours

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday | 8:30 – 16:00 (last entry).
• Wednesday |10 am – 16:00 (last entry).
• Sunday | closed to visitors, except for worshippers.

Note that these are subject to change for special events or services.

For those who plan to enjoy free entry to St. Paul's Cathedral, skip ahead to our section covering Mass times .

How to Get There

St. Paul's Cathedral is located within the City of London.

Its central location means that you can reach it by various London Underground stations as well as bus lines.

Regardless of how you get here, we recommend using this Google Maps link for directions to the cathedral . 

The nearest Underground station is St. Paul's (Central line). 

The cathedral is also within walking distance from Mansion House (Circle + District lines) and Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith, and City and Metropolitan lines).  

Be sure to read our tips on navigating the London Underground .

Public bus #'s: 4, 11, 15, 23, 25, 26, 100, 242 all stop at or near the cathedral.

Also, all major hop-on-hop-off bus tours make stops at the cathedral.

We also come here on several of our walking tours, including the following:

• City of London Tour (also available as an audio tour )
• Harry Potter Tour (also available as an audio tour )
• World War 2 Blitz Tour

See our full schedule of tours .

St. Paul's does not require visitors to follow a strict dress code, so you can wear pretty much whatever you want (within reason).

Just keep in mind that this is a church and moderate dress is expected, even if it isn't required.

Amount of Time Needed

To experience St. Paul's in its entirety, from the Saturday masses to daily rituals, consider weekdays for a visit.

While it is recommended to set aside at least 2 hours, the amount of time required always depends on how much you want to see and experience.

Nearby Attractions

• Tate Modern
• Tower Bridge
• Tower of London
• London Mithreaum

Hotels near St. Paul's Cathedral

Should you want to stay nearby here are some options.

Vintry & Mercer Cheval Calico House Bankside Hotel Autograph Collection

Admission to this historic church includes an introductory talk, a multimedia tour, an audio tour, and a guided tour of the structure (limited availability).

You'll also receive access to all of the  galleries, tombs, domes,  and other attractions that are typically off-limits for  visitors attending mass  and other services.

Tickets (online price)

• Adult - £20.50
• Concession - £18.40
• Children (age 6 – 17) - £9
• Families (1 adult + 3 child) - £29.50
• Families (2 adult + 3 child) - £50
• Under 5’s – Free
• Click  here to purchase  skip-the-line  tickets  ( affiliate disclosure ).

TIP:  Entry into St. Paul's Cathedral is free with the purchase of either the GoCity's  Explorer Pass  or the  GoCity London Pass .

Be sure to see our  Ways to Save section  below to find out how you can find deals on tickets.

Also, check out our post on  how to save on popular London tourist attractions .

WAYS TO SAVE

There are a couple of deals available on tickets for St. Paul's Cathedral.

Tourist Attraction Passes

If you plan on seeing more than one attraction in London (and you most likely do), you should consider purchasing a tourist pass, as just about all include St. Paul's.

These passes bundle tickets to popular London attractions and tours all for one price.

They can save you between 20-55% off the retail prices. 

Entry into St. Paul's Cathedral is free with the purchase of either the GoCity's Explorer Pass or the GoCity London Pass .

They can also save you time with skip-the-ticket privileges, including at St. Paul's.

Here are a few more popular attractions that are included at no extra cost with at least one major tourist pass:

• Windsor Castle
• Kensington Palace
• Westminster Abbey
• Hampton Court Palace
• View From The Shard
• Churchill War Rooms

See our post on London Tourist Passes to see which pass, if any, is right for you. 

Money-Saving Websites

Websites such as Groupon frequently offer deals of 10% - 25% off local activities, including admission to St. Paul's Cathedral!

This could be a good way to save money on the activity if you're not interested in any other opportunities.

St. Paul's Cathedral Tickets 2 for 1 Deal

Entrance to St. Paul's Cathedral is included in this great deal which saves you money on hundreds of attractions. You get 2 tickets for the price of 1.

It's a bit tricky to get the deal, but it may be worth it. Find out how here . 

St. Paul's Cathedral Free Annual Pass  

When buying admission tickets at the gate or in advance at the online rates, you can opt-in to have your ticket valid for a year as opposed to that one day, and it’s at no additional cost.

In essence, at present, an adult could pay £18.00 online and have a whole year’s worth of sightseeing entry. 

At the moment, this is the best way to get St. Paul's Cathedral free entry after the first visit.

TIP: Looking for more ways to save in London? See our 50+ free things to do in London for visitors.

ATTEND A SERVICE AT ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

As a house of worship, St. Paul’s Cathedral holds daily services. 

For those who wish to worship there, there is no fee to enter, providing guests arrive in time for the service.

Note that attending a service does not give you permission to explore the building, tombs, memorials, and domes. These areas are blocked off during hours of worship.

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However, you will get to sit inside the church and enjoy its majesty, size, and beauty, all whilst taking in services steeped in centuries of historic tradition.

St. Paul's Cathedral Mass Times

• Daily Services | 8:00, 8:30, 12:30 and 17:00
• Sunday Services | 8:00, 10:00, 11:15, 15:00, and 17:30
• View the up-to-date schedule here

TIP: The weekday and Saturday 17:00 services, and the Sunday 15:00 service, contain the Choral Evensong. It is performed by the exquisite boys' and gentlemen's choirs.

CONSTRUCTION OF ST. PAUL'S

Built by England's most famous architect, Christopher Wren, in the Baroque style, St. Paul’s origins lie centuries ago.

There have been multiple St. Paul’s churches on the site where the current cathedral stands today.

Wren’s version began shortly after the Great Fire of London burned the Medieval St. Paul’s to the ground in 1666.

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Backed by King Charles II, it took Wren over 9 years just to design the church and then only around 33 years to build it (which is amazing when you consider all the modern tools and equipment Wren didn’t have!).

St. Paul’s was consecrated in 1708 and at that point, it was the tallest building in London – holding that title until 1962!  

GALLERIES AND ATTRACTIONS

In this section, we will provide details about each of the galleries you can visit at St. Paul’s Cathedral, as well as some of the more notable attractions in the church.

To learn about the history of the building itself, see below .

Whispering Gallery

You’ll find this gallery by climbing 259 narrow steps to the second floor of the building.

The Whispering Gallery is named as such because the architectural design allows you to hear a whisper from across the room.

This is also a great place to see the floor of the cathedral from above.

Divination Staircase (Geometric Squares)

St. Paul’s Cathedral, renowned for tales ranging from Winston Churchill's powerful speeches to the graceful visits of Lady Diana Spencer, houses several architectural masterpieces.

A notable highlight is the Dean's Staircase, which Harry Potter fans would instantly recognize.

But within the hallowed walls of the Cathedral, it's known as the Geometric Squares.

The exquisite staircase, intricately adorned with evangelists' carvings, showcases the architectural genius of Sir Christopher Wren.

The Cathedral’s cinematic allure extends beyond the wizarding world.

It has lent its majestic backdrop to classics like Sherlock Holmes and Lawrence of Arabia.

Beyond its film credits, scheduled tours offer insights into the life of the Archbishop of Canterbury and other historic figures.

For enthusiasts keen to walk in the shadows of wizards, our GPS-led Harry Potter London audio tour is worth considering. Read up on more Harry Potter locations in London .

Stone Gallery

This is essentially the third floor of the building, and it’s 378 steps from the ground floor – and entirely worth the effort.

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The Stone Gallery is an outside area around the dome, which allows you to enjoy fantastic views of the city from 52 metres (160 ft) above.

If you’re looking for a great observation deck that is free to visit, this is an excellent alternative to some of the other locations in London – and it gets even better at the Golden Gallery!

Golden Gallery

Located at the top of the cathedral, the third gallery is 528 steps up and a total of 85 metres (280 ft) from the ground floor.

This is the smallest gallery, encircling the highest point outside the dome.

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Views from this floor are often considered to be even more impressive than from any other gallery at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Visitors can expect to see landmarks such as the Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and the River Thames.

The Ball and Lantern

This is the ball and cross located at the very top of the cathedral. It is approximately 7 meters (23 ft) high and weighs in at approximately 7 tonnes.

Although the original ball and cross were erected in 1708, it was replaced in 1821 with the current design.

This ball and lantern were designed by the Surveyor to the Fabric, C.R. Cockerell.

St. Paul’s Cathedral has a crypt where you will find the tombs of several notable historical figures.

One of the most notable tombs is that of Sir Christopher Wren, architect of the cathedral.

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This is also the site of the tomb of Lord Nelson, who fought in the Battle of Trafalgar.

You can also visit Wellington’s tomb, otherwise known as the Iron Duke.

He also left behind an interesting number of namesakes, such as Wellington Boots, Beef Wellington, and more.

Oculus: An Eye Into St. Paul’s

within the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral, the Oculus presents a captivating 270° film experience.

Encompassing over 1,400 years, this cinematic journey offers a deep dive into the storied past of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Rather than a singular presentation, the Oculus provides viewers with three meticulously crafted films.

"Life of the Cathedral" allows visitors to discover the daily life, rituals, and essence of this iconic Cathedral throughout various epochs.

"Resurgam, I Will Rise Again" gives an evocative look into the resilience and indomitable spirit of the Cathedral as it withstood adversities over the centuries.

Lastly, "Virtual Access, the Dome" offers a breathtaking virtual journey, allowing audiences to witness the splendor of the Cathedral’s Dome in an unprecedented manner.

For those keen on an immersive understanding of St. Paul’s historical and cultural significance, the Oculus is an indispensable experience.

The American Memorial Chapel

Standing solemnly within St. Paul's, the American Memorial Chapel is a testament to the intertwined histories of the UK and the US.

It stands as a memorial to the valor and sacrifices of the American soldiers who fought during World War II.

As one gazes upon its intricately designed stained glass, it becomes clear that every inch of it is steeped in tales of bravery, sacrifice, and the unyielding bond between two nations.

Wellington's Monument

An imposing structure within the Cathedral, Wellington's Monument salutes the strategic genius and leadership of the Duke of Wellington.

Crafted from rich marble and detailed craftsmanship, it symbolizes more than just the man—it captures the spirit of an era where strategy and valor shaped empires.

The South Aisle

Walking along the South Aisle is akin to stepping back in time.

Each step is a reminder of those who once trod these same paths, including royals like Queen Victoria.

Its walls, adorned with artworks and carvings, narrate tales spanning centuries, from the maritime prowess of Admiral Lord Nelson to events that shaped modern Britain.

North Transept

The North Transept of St. Paul's is where sound and silence find a harmonious blend.

Here, the Cathedral's renowned acoustics resonate, turning whispers into echoes that dance around the grand pillars.

This space, marked by its unique sound and beauty, also serves as a silent witness to the centuries-long spiritual leadership of the seat of the bishop of London.

At the heart of St. Paul's lies the High Altar, a sacred spot that has seen a myriad of moments, both somber and joyous.

From the solemn funerals of towering figures like Margaret Thatcher to celebratory events that echoed with laughter and joy, it's a place that beckons visitors to pause, reflect, and connect with the Cathedral's rich tapestry of history.

TOURS OF ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

Below the video, we describe both free tours and paid tours  of St. Paul's Cathedral.

Free Tours of St. Paul's

This section will cover all of the free tours available at St. Paul’s Cathedral and what is included with each experience.

All of these services are included in the price of admission. Read below or visit the cathedral's tours page .

Multimedia Guides

Use high-resolution touch screens to fly through the galleries and get a close-up view of the more intricate details in the domes.

Also included are interviews and commentary from experts who have studied the Cathedral and members of the congregation.

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These guides are available in 9 languages including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean.

There are also family multimedia guides which include quizzes, interactive games and other activities for children and their parents.

Audio Description Guides

These audio tours are only available in English currently, but they are an excellent opportunity to get closer to some of the artwork.

Listeners are encouraged to touch sculptures and carvings while listening to wonderful music from the St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir.

There will also be commentary and interviews from experts with a lot of knowledge about the landmark.

Introductory Talk

This is a 15-20 minute introduction to both the architecture and historical significance of St. Paul’s Cathedral provided by a professional tour guide.

Introductory Talks are offered regularly throughout the day – all you have to do is ask about it at the guiding desk when you arrive.

If you want to learn the basics about this location from a live guide, this is one of the quickest and most readily available options.

Free Guided Tours

Take a free 60-minute tour with a professional guide who will cover all the significant areas of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

This tour includes details about the Cathedral Floor, the Crypt, the Chapel of St. Michael & St. George, the Geometric Staircase, and the Quire – some of which are not usually open to visitors.

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Tours are available between 11:00 am and 15:00 (3 pm) each day.

Note that you are not guaranteed a place on the guided tour as there is limited availability. Advance reservations are not available.  

If you want to ensure a place, go straight to the guiding desk when you arrive at the cathedral and let them know you want to take the tour.

Paid Tours of St. Paul's

Below are tours offered by St. Paul’s Cathedral for an additional fee.

These tours are only £5-£10 extra, and it may be worth it to you to have an extra special experience

Private Group Guided Tours

If you want to avoid missing out on a free public tour, cathedral guides are willing to provide the same tour to private groups for only £8 per person.

You will require a minimum of at least 10 people in your group to qualify for this option.

All private group guided tours must be booked ahead of time, and they usually start at 10:15, 11:15, 13:15 (1:15 pm) and 14:15 (2:15 pm)

It is recommended to contact [email protected] at least two weeks in advance to secure the next available private group guided tour.

Triforium Tour

This one-hour tour covers several locations that are usually off-limits to visitors, and it’s only available publicly on specific days each year.

A professional guide will introduce you to areas such as the library, the Geometric Staircase, the Great Model, and more.

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The Triforium Tour also features a great view down the nave from over the Great West Doors.

You should contact [email protected] well ahead of time to book your spot in this otherwise rare tour. Tickets are £10 per person.

This tour can also be booked privately for a party of at least 5 people, with a maximum of 20 guests admitted. Tickets for the private tour are still only £8 per person.

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

While we do our best to provide all the information you'll need to plan a successful visit to St. Paul's Cathedral, sometimes you need answers to specific questions related to your personal experience.

As mentioned above, our London Travel Tips Facebook group is a great place to ask a question.

Below are some questions asked and answered by our members as well as other tips that will make the trip most enjoyable.

• St. Paul's is not particularly packed throughout the year, but it does tend to get crowded on Fridays and Saturdays. It's also likely to be more quiet closer to opening times.

2. For those interested in attending a service, one of our members suggests an arrival time and the best place to sit.

3. For those touring the cathedral, there are a few ways to go about it as the comment below states.

Also, note that the last entry for sightseeing ends 30 minutes after the last entry time. Be sure the check the opening and closing times on a particular day as the schedule does sometimes change.

4. Bells ring at the Cathedral before Sunday services at 9:30, 10:45, and 14:30.

There are also tower bells that ring at 8:00, 8:30, 12:30, and 17.00 during weekdays.

The schedule will change though if the service times following have to be moved.

5. Bags above a certain size, 45cm x 30cm x 25cm, cannot be taken into the cathedral. There's no place to store coats or bags so you'll have to carry things with you.

6. Non-flash photography is welcome in most parts of the complex but it is not allowed in the Whispering Gallery or St. Dunstan's Chapel.

The cathedral also doesn't allow tripods, selfie sticks, and other equipment. It's best to check the website if you have any questions.

7. You can find the toilet facilities down in the crypt.

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Prince Harry to travel to UK in May

Duke to give reading at London service marking 10th anniversary of Invictus Games

The Duke of Sussex is to travel to Britain for the first time since his father announced his return to public duties following cancer treatment.

Prince Harry will give a reading during a service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 8 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

He last visited Britain in early February 2024, when he flew over for a brief visit with the King after his cancer diagnosis was made public. 

Shortly afterwards, in an interview, he said he hoped to “ stop in and see my family as much as I can ”.

A spokesman for the Invictus Games confirmed the Duke’s attendance but did not mention the Duchess of Sussex or their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. 

They are not expected to attend. Nor are any senior members of the Royal family.

Neither the Office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex nor Buckingham Palace confirmed any plans for Prince Harry to meet his father, although both have made clear their willingness to spend time together should their diaries permit.

It will also be the first visit to Britain for the Duke since he lost a court appeal about his security arrangements . 

He must give 28 days’ notice of his intention to visit Britain, in order for the Home Office to assess his security needs and arrange provision.

The Duke or his office must also make a formal request should he wish to stay overnight at a royal residence, having left Frogmore Cottage , his former Windsor home.

As such, Prince Harry is likely to stay in a hotel, as he has done during recent visits to Britain.

There is no suggestion he will see his brother the Prince of Wales. The Wales family are currently in Windsor while the Princess of Wales undergoes a course of chemotherapy .

On Monday, the Prince and Princess will celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary in private.

Challenges for Duke

Prince Harry is expected to hold other meetings and engagements during his trip to London. He has retained links with some charities including WellChild and Scotty’s Little Soldiers.

The Service of Thanksgiving will celebrate 10 years of the Invictus Games Foundation, and is advertised as “marking a decade of changing lives and saving lives through sport”. 

Guests will include competitors from the participating nations including wounded, injured and sick service personnel and the veteran community, as well as support staff. 

Some guests will also give readings at the service, which will be led by The Very Rev Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s.

Earlier in 2024, the Duke and Duchess attended a launch event for the new winter version of the games in Whistler, Canada .

The last full tournament was in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 2023, where the Duchess made headlines by telling a crowd: “We’re going to be cheering for you and we can’t wait to one day be able to bring our kids also so they can experience just how amazing this is.” 

Birmingham is in the process of bidding to be a host city. The London event, and future games in the UK, raise some challenges for the Duke, who made his frustration with his security arrangements clear in court. 

The communication between his office and the palace has also been limited in recent years.

Prince Harry and Meghan have recently recruited a UK-based PR spokesman , who will oversee publicity surrounding the Duke’s appearance at the service. 

They are also understood to have retained the expertise of longstanding aides Beth Herlihy and Clara Loughran, who worked at the palace and are now partners at company Herlihy Loughran, to help make arrangements around Invictus.

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Booking tickets FAQ

On this page, you will find information about how to book and amend tickets, the different concessions and complimentary tickets we offer, and more.

If you cannot find an answer to your question on this page, please get in touch with our Sales and Admissions team on [email protected] – we will be happy to help.

Some of these frequently asked questions are answered on the basis that you have booked tickets directly with St Paul’s Cathedral. When that is not the case, we will try our best to help – but you may need to refer your questions to the organisation you bought from.

Booking a sightseeing ticket

For the fastest entry please book with us online . You can book dates from three months in advance and even on the day too.

We are also able to welcome walk-up visitors buying tickets or redeeming any offers which cannot be pre-booked.

Our Annual Pass scheme ended for new orders on 31st December 2023.

If you had bought a single-date admission ticket from us before this date for a visit before 31st March 2024, you may have been able to convert it to an Annual Pass when you visited. Gift tickets, group tickets, tickets bought from one of our ticketing partners and discounted or promotional tickets would not usually have been eligible to be converted to an Annual Pass.

Our Annual Passes:

• allow you to visit the Cathedral during sightseeing opening hours as many times as you like over their validity period
• are classified as a donation: we asked UK taxpayers to consider applying a Gift Aid declaration at the time of ordering or conversion so we could benefit from an extra 25 pence for every £1 of the equivalent single-date ticket value at no extra cost to the donor
• only allow you, and any family members living with you for whom you ordered Annual Passes or converted their tickets to Annual Passes, to enter the Cathedral: you won’t be able to bring people using Annual Passes who are not from your family household. You do not have to visit with your family household members when they visit with their Annual Passes
• are non-transferable beyond your own use, or by the family household member for whom you ordered their Annual Pass or converted their ticket to an Annual Pass: proof of name and / or address may be requested when revisiting 
• carry only your name as the donor and are not individually named.

Existing Annual Pass holders may continue to use their Annual Passes for entry to the Cathedral during our sightseeing opening hours until they expire. Please check our sightseeing opening hours and bring your Passes and proof of name and / or address with you. You do not need to book. They are not valid for admission to special events or to any chargeable guided tours.

You can become a Friend of St Paul's and benefit from free sightseeing visits for a year, discounts at our shop and priority access to events and services.

• When you choose your ticket type you will be taken to our online booking system .
• Most of our tickets require you to first select the date and time for your visit using the calendar button.
• Select the number of tickets you require. You can also add a guidebook, then click ‘add to basket’.
• After completing your order you will receive a confirmation email with your E-ticket attached.
• Remember to bring your E-ticket with you – you can either show it on a mobile device or print it.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and JCB credit and debit cards. We also accept cash for walk-up visits.

Either the date is one on which we are not open for sightseeing, or tickets have not yet been released for booking. Sightseeing tickets can usually be booked from three months in advance. Please check our calendar for details of our sightseeing opening hours and any events . If the timeslot or event should be bookable but you cannot select it, it will mean it is fully booked.

Despite our best efforts, sometimes our emails will go to your junk or spam folders, so please check these first.

If you still can’t find it, please contact our Sales and Admissions team on [email protected] .

Please include as much detail as possible – ideally either the confirmation number from the order confirmation page, or the cart ID from your WorldPay payment confirmation email. If we are unable to reply before your visit, your tickets can be reprinted on arrival by providing a team member with either the confirmation number or cart ID.

Our E-tickets allow a 10-minute flexibility before or after the booked entry timeslot, subject to sightseeing opening hours.

If you are early, we will usually be happy to welcome you unless capacity restrictions mean we cannot. If you miss your timeslot, we will usually be happy to welcome you later that day, subject to opening hours.

Please note that we will not refund missed visits and we reserve the right to charge a reasonable amendment fee to reschedule a visit date and / or entry timeslot.

If you have booked an Annual Pass, this ticket is valid from the date and entry timeslot you selected regardless of whether you visit then or not. After that date, it can be used at any time within sightseeing opening hours.

Please check our sightseeing opening hours and bring your Annual Pass, membership card or open dated ticket with you on the day. You do not need to book.

Amending your ticket

If you need to amend your booking please contact us in advance of your visit by replying to your order confirmation email or emailing [email protected] .

Please check our sightseeing opening hours to help choose your new visit date and entry timeslot. We can also issue open dated tickets instead (except for family tickets). We reserve the right to charge a reasonable amendment fee to change a visit date and / or entry timeslot.

All tickets are non-refundable.

Preparing for your visit

There is no formal dress code to visit the Cathedral, although as a place of worship, we ask that all visitors wear suitable attire. We recommend that those climbing to the Dome Galleries, or on our Triforium tour, wear comfortable footwear.

We have a number of measures in place to ensure disabled visitors get the most out of the Cathedral. Please visit our accessibility page for more information.

Coming to services

Please check our service times before visiting . All are very welcome at our daily services. Our daily services are always free to attend and you do not need a ticket.

Whenever the Cathedral is open to the public, you are welcome to enter St Dunstan’s Chapel for private prayer and contemplation or to light a candle. There is no charge and you do not need a ticket.

Tickets for specific visitors

We offer members of the Guild of the Companions of St Paul complimentary entry for themselves and up to six accompanying family members. Book your tickets .

Disabled visitors are able to claim a free sightseeing admission ticket for themselves and an accompanying carer or companion. These tickets can be booked in advance or requested when you arrive.

You can read more about accessibility at the Cathedral .

We offer free sightseeing admission to serving clergy and their immediate family members with them (partners, children and parents).

Please check our sightseeing opening hours and request your tickets when you arrive. You do not need to book. Please note that you will need to be identifiable to our team as a member of clergy so it can help to be in clerical dress, or to have an ID.

Parish passes allow the bearer to receive free sightseeing admission. Clergy cards allow the member of clergy bearing it to bring members of their congregation, up to 20 people, and all receive free sightseeing admission.

Please check our sightseeing opening hours and request your tickets when you arrive. You do not need to book.

Parish passes and diocesan clergy cards are available for parish churches and members of clergy (lay or ordained) within the Diocese of London. Please contact our Business Support Team to apply for a card or pass or for any queries about an existing card or pass. Email [email protected]

We are able to support sightseeing ticket requests from charities registered in England and Wales. We can offer up to four open dated complimentary tickets suitable for a raffle or competition and will consider one request per charity per year.

Please download a charity request form and send it to us at [email protected] . We aim to respond to all requests within 14 working days.

Using offers, vouchers and Clubcard partner codes

Please check our sightseeing opening hours and bring your Pass or entrance voucher with you on the day. You do not need to book. Please follow any additional instructions issued with your voucher, such as printing it if this is specified.

The offer is two admission tickets for the price of one adult ticket. This is currently £25.

The offer can only be pre-booked online. Please visit the National Rail website to register your journey details and make your booking. When on our online booking system, please read the booking instructions carefully. When you visit you will need to show us a train ticket to London for each person within a 2 for 1 pair.

Please note that for some ticketing scenarios, it can be better value not to use the 2 for 1 offer. The 2 for 1 offer is for two individual admission tickets only and guided tours or special event tickets are not eligible. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.

Tesco Clubcard Partner codes are validated on arrival only, not online. Please check our sightseeing opening hours and bring your code with you on the day. You do not need to book.

Tesco Clubcard Partner codes can be used as part or full payment against our walk-up individual and family admission tickets only. No change will be given. They cannot be used with group tickets, guided tours, guidebooks, special event tickets or in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.

Please check our sightseeing opening hours and bring your National Art Pass with you on the day. You do not need to book.

A National Art Pass entitles you to 50% off our walk-up individual adult, concession or child admission tickets. It does not give a discount on group tickets, guided tours, guidebooks or special event tickets. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.

Please check our sightseeing opening hours and bring your Blue Peter Badge and ID card with you on the day. You do not need to book.

Up to two Blue Peter Badge ID cardholders aged 6-15 years old can receive a free child admission ticket when accompanied by a full paying adult or concession ticketholder, or a disabled visitor ticketholder. You are welcome to pre-book the accompanying person’s ticket in advance and we will issue the free ticket on arrival.

The free admission offer does not apply for group tickets, guided tours or special event tickets and it cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.

More on booking tickets

Ticket terms and conditions

Our terms and conditions apply when pre-booking sightseeing admission tickets, event tickets or concert tickets from St Paul’s Cathedral.

We have a number of sightseeing tickets available, with discounts for children, students, seniors over 65, and families.

Ticket types and prices

Find out the cost of sightseeing tickets to the Cathedral, and what discounts are available.

Book your tickets

From family tickets to gifts for friends, see the many options available for sightseeing tickets. Our booking website also allows you to purchase tour tickets, and guidebooks in multiple languages.

Prince Harry to return to UK for Invictus anniversary

The Duke of Sussex will return to the UK in just over a week for a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Prince Harry is expected to attend the thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral, London, on 8 May.

The prince will give a reading during the service, while actor Damian Lewis will recite a poem.

Prince Harry was last seen in the UK in February for a brief visit to see King Charles after his cancer diagnosis.

It is the first major event he will have attended in Britain for some time.

The prince launched the Invictus Games, a sport event for military personnel wounded in action, in 2017.

The ceremony will mark "a decade of changing lives and saving lives through sport," a spokesperson for the Games said.

The duke moved to the US with his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, after they stepped back as senior royals in 2020.

The spokesperson did not say whether the prince will be joined by Meghan for the ceremony.

In an interview in February with ABC News, Harry said he "jumped on a plane" as soon as possible to see King Charles after the cancer diagnosis - and was "grateful" for the time spent together.

He also suggested there would be more visits to the UK, saying: "I'll stop in and see my family as much as I can."

The upcoming visit comes as Buckingham Palace confirmed King Charles, 75, will resume public engagements next week after making encouraging progress in his cancer treatment.

The King will begin with a symbolic trip to a cancer treatment centre next Tuesday, while his summer plans include a state visit, where he will host the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

"It is too early to say" for how much longer his treatment will continue, the palace said.

It added that doctors were "very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about the King's continued recovery".

The type of cancer has not been disclosed, but the King's medical team are "sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that the King is now able to resume a number of public-facing duties".

It has been a difficult start to the year for the Royal Family, with the Princess of Wales also undergoing treatment for cancer.

In a statement released in March, Catherine said the diagnosis was a "huge shock" after an "incredibly tough couple of months".

She said the cancer was discovered after she had abdominal surgery in January, saying tests after the operation "found cancer had been present".

"My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment," she said.

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Details of her cancer have not been disclosed, but Kensington Palace said it was confident the princess would make a full recovery.

The princess said she was thinking of all those who have been affected by cancer, adding: "For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone."

The King was said to be "so proud of Catherine for her courage" in speaking about her treatment.

He has been in the "closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law", the palace said.