St. Paul's Cathedral

About St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral has stood at the highest point of the City of London since 1710, when Sir Christopher Wren completed the building that replaced the medieval cathedral lost in the Great Fire of London. Its great dome, one of the largest in the world, dominated the skyline for centuries and remains one of the most recognisable shapes in London. This is still a working Anglican cathedral, so services and worship take priority over sightseeing, and tourist visiting is a separate, paid arrangement.

The dome is the main draw for most visitors. A climb up the internal stairs reaches the Whispering Gallery, named for the way a word murmured against the wall carries clear around the other side, then continues to the Stone Gallery and finally the Golden Gallery high on the outside of the dome, with wide views across the Thames and the modern city. Down in the crypt lie some of Britain's best-known figures, including Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington, along with a memorial to Wren himself. The cathedral has also hosted national occasions, from Winston Churchill's funeral to the wedding of Charles and Diana.

The cathedral sits in the City near the Millennium Bridge, with St. Paul's Underground station a short walk away, and it pairs easily with a riverside walk over to Tate Modern and the South Bank. The dome climb involves several hundred steps and no lift, so wear sensible shoes and allow time to rest at the galleries. Because it is an active place of worship, visiting hours can change around services and special events, so it's worth checking current arrangements before you go.