What Visitors Say
One of the most beautiful churches I've ever visited - truly breathtaking. Unlike Westminster Abbey, the crowds here are much more manageable, which makes the experience so much more enjoyable. I'd highly recommend setting aside at least 2-3 hours to fully take in the church and climb the 500+ steps to the dome. Yes, it's exhausting (and not for everyone), but if you're able to do it, it's absolutely worth it. A must-do when you're here!
St Paul's Cathedral was one of the highlights of our trip to London. The architecture is absolutely breathtaking, both inside and out, and the level of detail throughout the building is truly remarkable. Climbing to the dome was well worth the effort, as the views over London are spectacular and provide a unique perspective of the city. The atmosphere inside the cathedral is peaceful and inspiring, making it a wonderful place to spend time whether you are interested in history, architecture, or simply looking for a moment of reflection. The staff and volunteers were friendly and helpful, and the entire site is exceptionally well maintained. The audio guide was informative and added a lot of context to the experience. A must-visit landmark in London. Beautiful, historic, and unforgettable – I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the city.
St Paul's Cathedral is one of London's most famous landmarks and the seat of the Bishop of London. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, it was completed in 1710 after the Great Fire of London destroyed the previous cathedral. The cathedral is renowned for its magnificent dome, one of the largest in the world. Visitors can explore the beautiful interior, climb to the Whispering Gallery, Stone Gallery, and Golden Gallery for spectacular panoramic views of London, and visit the crypt where famous figures such as Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington are buried.
Does St Paul's Cathedral really need an introduction? We're talking about one of London's most iconic landmarks and arguably the signature building of the British capital. I'd strongly recommend booking your ticket in advance. I found the audio guide rather underwhelming and, if I'm honest, a little dull. Before long, I abandoned it altogether and simply wandered around in complete awe. My advice would be to read up on the cathedral's history beforehand, I believe that you'll get far more out of your visit that way. The cathedral contains an extraordinary number of tombs, each commemorated in the wonderfully florid, deeply grotesque purple prose so characteristic of the period. Reading them offers a fascinating glimpse not only into the people themselves, but also into how they wished to be remembered by their contemporaries. Thankfully, the cathedral also includes interpretive panels that acknowledge the connections some of these figures had with slavery, colonialism, and other less comfortable aspects of Britain's past, adding a welcome layer of historical context. As for climbing to the top... well, it's almost murderous! That's a slight exaggeration, of course, but even as someone in my late twenties and in reasonably good shape, I could feel my legs beginning to tremble before I reached the summit. By the final stretch, I was mentally willing the stairs to come to an end. If you're planning to make the climb, be prepared for a proper workout... but the views at the top make every step worthwhile.
Had a fantastic time at St Paul's Cathedral. The tours had finished for the day when we arrived but a very kind tour guide gave us a private quick tour which was brilliant! She was amazing, very knowledgeable and made it very interesting and fun. Thank you Yvonne (I think that was your name - sorry if I'm wrong). We went up to the whispering gallery and then made the accent to the golden tower. This is a lot of steps and not got the faint Hearted but worth it for the views! We stayed for the evensong service at 5pm which was very special as the choir were amazing. The sound of the voices around the cathedral was magical. The sound of the organ was also worth staying for. Definitely worth a visit!
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Fun Facts
The western towers end not with crosses or urns but gilded copper pineapples, modelled by Francis Bird and cast by Jean Tijou in July 1708.
On 7 May 1913, a plot to blow up the Bishop’s throne at St Paul’s was narrowly foiled after a Virger found a ticking bomb at the cathedral’s east end.
Sightseeing tickets at St Paul’s are older than most people assume: visitors were paying to look around in 1709, while the cathedral was still in its final stages of construction.
John Donne’s funeral effigy was the only monument to escape significant damage in the Great Fire, and the cathedral’s own account says the story goes that the dying Dean posed for it wrapped in a shroud.
Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee thanksgiving at St Paul’s on 22 June 1897 was not held inside the cathedral at all, but outside at the foot of the West Steps because of her frail health.
