Best for
History and architecture fans, anyone wanting a rewarding city viewpoint
Time needed
1.5–2.5 hours
Worth it?
Yes — the dome climb view is one of the best in London
Skip if
You're only interested in the exterior — that part is free to view
About St Paul's Cathedral
The current St Paul's Cathedral is the fifth church on this site, built by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed its medieval predecessor. Constructed between 1675 and 1710, its dome — at the time the tallest building in London and still one of the largest cathedral domes anywhere — became a symbol of the city's resilience, most famously captured in the iconic photograph of the dome standing intact above the smoke of the Blitz in December 1940.
Inside, the cathedral has hosted state occasions ranging from Nelson's and Churchill's funerals to the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981 and the Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilee services. The crypt holds the tombs of Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington, as well as Christopher Wren himself, whose memorial carries the Latin epitaph "Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice" — "Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you."
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Climbing the dome is the other major draw: 257 steps reach the Whispering Gallery, where a word whispered against the wall carries clearly to the opposite side 34 metres away; a further climb leads to the Stone Gallery and finally the Golden Gallery at the very top, 528 steps up, with a genuinely spectacular 360-degree panorama over the City of London.
Admission includes the cathedral floor, crypt, dome galleries and a multimedia guide, though the cathedral operates as a working church, so sightseeing access is suspended during services.
What to See: Highlights
- 1Christopher Wren's Baroque dome, an icon of the London skyline since 1710
- 2The Whispering Gallery's unique acoustic effect
- 3Nelson's and Wellington's tombs in the crypt
- 4The Golden Gallery, 528 steps up, with 360-degree views over the City
- 5The cathedral's Blitz survival, immortalised in wartime photography
- 6State-occasion history, from Nelson's funeral to royal weddings
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Insider Tips
Book tickets online in advance — it's cheaper and skips the ticket-office queue
The full dome climb (528 steps) has no lift — pace yourself and wear comfortable shoes
Sightseeing access is suspended during services, including most Sunday hours — check before visiting
Free multimedia guides are included with admission — pick one up at the entrance
Combine with a walk across the Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern for the classic river view back
Book a Guided Tour
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Getting There
St Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
Open in Google Maps →- 1St Paul's (Central line) — directly outside. City Thameslink and Mansion House are also within a short walk.
Where to stay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You want to climb to one of London's best rooftop viewpoints
- You're interested in Wren's Baroque architecture and the cathedral's WWII history
- You don't mind climbing 528 steps with no lift option to the very top
- You want to see Nelson's and Wellington's tombs
Skip if...
- You have mobility limitations that rule out thehigh step count
- You're satisfied with the free exterior view and don't want to pay for the interior
- You're visiting on a Sunday and only have sightseeing hours to spare
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in London
Tate Modern
Britain's national gallery of modern and contemporary art, housed in a converted 1950s power station on the Thames, with a soaring Turbine Hall for large-scale installations.
Borough Market
London's oldest food market, trading in some form since at least 1014, now a dense warren of artisan food stalls, cheesemongers and street-food vendors under Victorian ironwork by London Bridge.