St Paul's Cathedral: What to See and How to Visit
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead
- Reserve now, pay later
- Audio guide included (9 languages)
St Paul's is the most architecturally significant building in London — Christopher Wren's replacement for the medieval cathedral destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 took 35 years to build and established a template for Baroque church design across Europe. The dome climb is one of the most rewarding physical experiences in the city, and the crypt — with Wellington, Nelson, and Wren himself — is more moving than most visitors expect.
Highlights
- Climb to the Golden Gallery, 528 steps and 85 metres above the City
- Experience the Whispering Gallery's famous acoustic trick
- See the crypt tombs of Wellington, Nelson, and Christopher Wren himself
- Admire Christopher Wren's Baroque masterpiece, built 1675–1710
The building and its history
The Great Fire of London in September 1666 destroyed 87 churches, 13,200 houses, and the medieval St Paul's that had stood on the same site since the 11th century. Christopher Wren, the Surveyor General of the King's Works, was tasked with redesigning much of the City — including a new St Paul's. Construction began in 1675 and was completed in 1710, when Wren was 78 years old. He died in 1723 and is buried in the crypt under what is arguably the most famous epitaph in English: "Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice" — Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you.
St Paul's survived the Blitz — famously photographed in December 1940 surrounded by smoke and fire, the dome standing intact above a burning City. It became the symbol of London's survival and Wren's achievement acquired an almost mythological status in British culture.
The Nave
The nave at St Paul's is one of the grandest Baroque interiors in the world — 175 metres long, 30 metres wide, with the dome rising 108 metres above the floor. The geometric floor tiling, the carved woodwork of the choir stalls (by Grinling Gibbons, the finest carver of the period), and the painted ceiling scenes from the life of St Paul (by James Thornhill) reward close attention. The light quality changes dramatically through the day; afternoon light through the south windows is best.
A guided tour covers the Whispering Gallery, dome climb and crypt with expert context — skip-the-line entry included.
From £23The Dome climb
The dome climb proceeds in three stages, all included in the entry ticket. The Whispering Gallery (259 steps) is inside the dome — the acoustic effect of whispering against the curved wall is real and worth testing. The Stone Gallery (378 steps) is the first outdoor balcony, with views across the City at a useful mid-height. The Golden Gallery (528 steps) is the outer balcony near the top, 85 metres above the floor and 111 metres above ground level — genuine vertigo for those susceptible, extraordinary views for everyone.
The Crypt
Beneath the cathedral, the crypt houses the tombs and memorials of many of Britain's most significant figures. Wellington's sarcophagus — a 12-tonne block of Cornish porphyry — stands at the centre. Nelson's tomb (originally made for Cardinal Wolsey) is directly below the dome. Wren's slab is in the southeast corner, deliberately modest. J.M.W. Turner, William Blake, Henry Moore, and John Donne are also commemorated here.
How to book
Book tickets directly at the cathedral's official website (stpauls.co.uk) for timed entry. The online price is slightly cheaper than the door price. Timed entry means you go straight in at your booked time without queuing outside. Arrive 10 minutes before your slot.
St Paul's Cathedral: Frequently Asked Questions
Adult entry to St Paul's Cathedral costs approximately £23 in 2025, which includes access to the Nave, Crypt, Whispering Gallery (Level 1 of the dome), Stone Gallery (outside, halfway up), and Golden Gallery (outside, near the top, 85m). The ticket includes an audio guide. Entry for children aged 6–17 is around £10; under-6s are free. Sunday services are open to worshippers free of charge.
Yes — the dome climb is included in the entry ticket. There are three stages: the Whispering Gallery (259 steps, inside the dome), the Stone Gallery (378 steps, first outdoor balcony), and the Golden Gallery (528 steps, near the top at 85m). All three are steep spiral staircases; the Golden Gallery requires a narrow and somewhat vertiginous final climb. The views from the Stone and Golden galleries are excellent — among the best in the City of London.
A thorough visit — nave, crypt, and full dome climb to the Golden Gallery — takes 2–3 hours. If you only visit the nave and Whispering Gallery (the most popular option), allow 90 minutes. The crypt (Wellington and Nelson memorials, Christopher Wren's tomb) adds another 30–45 minutes.
The crypt at St Paul's contains the tombs of the Duke of Wellington (the Iron Duke), Admiral Lord Nelson, and Christopher Wren himself. Also buried or commemorated: J.M.W. Turner, John Donne, Henry Moore, and William Blake. Wellington's tomb is enormous and deliberately imposing — a good contrast with the relatively modest slab that marks Wren's resting place.
The Whispering Gallery is a circular gallery inside the dome at 259 steps (30m above the cathedral floor). The acoustic property of the curved stone wall means that a whisper against the wall on one side can be clearly heard on the opposite side, 34 metres away. This is genuinely effective and worth experiencing. The gallery also offers the best views of the cathedral interior and the famous painted dome.