St Paul's Cathedral
Sir Christopher Wren's baroque masterpiece crowned by one of the world's largest cathedral domes
Sir Christopher Wren's baroque masterpiece crowned by one of the world's largest cathedral domes
Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece has defined the London skyline since 1710. The cathedral's dome — second in size only to St Peter's in Rome — rises 111 metres above Ludgate Hill, and the climb to the top rewards you with one of the best panoramic views in the city.
A sightseeing ticket unlocks the spectacular nave, the intricate quire mosaics, the crypt tombs of Nelson and Wellington, and all three dome galleries including the famous Whispering Gallery. A multimedia guide comes with every ticket.
The cathedral you see today is the fifth to stand on this site. The first was a Roman-era timber church founded in AD 604, and the medieval Old St Paul's was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. Charles II commissioned Christopher Wren to design its replacement, and the first stone was laid in 1675.
Wren oversaw construction for 35 years, completing the cathedral in 1710. It survived two direct hits during the Blitz, thanks to the volunteer St Paul's Watch who patrolled the rooftops to extinguish incendiary bombs. The cathedral has hosted some of the nation's most significant occasions, from the funerals of Nelson, Wellington and Churchill to the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981.
The nave stretches 68 metres toward the quire, drawing the eye to the high altar and the American Memorial Chapel, dedicated to the 28,000 Americans based in Britain who died in World War II. Above, the inner dome carries monochrome paintings by James Thornhill depicting the life of St Paul.
The quire features limewood carvings by Grinling Gibbons and Jean Tijou's wrought-iron gates. The ceiling mosaics, added between 1891 and 1904, are now considered some of the most beautiful decorative work in the building. Below the main floor, the crypt extends the full length of the cathedral, with Nelson beneath a black marble sarcophagus and Wellington marked by a Cornish granite casket.
The climb to the top happens in three stages. The Whispering Gallery, 257 steps up, runs around the interior base of the dome with views down 30 metres to the cathedral floor. Test the famous acoustics by having a friend whisper against the curved wall on the opposite side.
From there, 119 more steps reach the Stone Gallery, a narrow outdoor balcony overlooking the City rooftops. The final 152 steps spiral up to the Golden Gallery at 85 metres — with panoramic views stretching from the Shard and Tower Bridge to the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. Allow at least 45 minutes for the full climb and descent.
Under 6s free. Ticket includes multimedia guide and dome galleries. Attending a service is free for all.
Online tickets are cheaper than buying at the door, and your ticket is valid for a full year of repeat visits — a perk many visitors miss.
The dome galleries open at 9:30am (10am Wednesdays). Head straight up before the crowds build — you will have the Whispering Gallery almost to yourself.
Choral Evensong at 5pm (Monday to Saturday) is free to attend and lets you experience the quire and its acoustics without a sightseeing ticket.
Walk south across the Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern for one of the best photo angles of the cathedral's dome framed by the bridge.
The full dome climb is 528 steps with no lift. The final section to the Golden Gallery involves narrow spiral staircases — not ideal for heels or flip-flops.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: February 28, 2026
