Date: August 29, 2026 Experience: We were able to check this place out with our tour group. The cathedral is Anglican and I was impressed by the architecture and took as much time as I could to immerse myself with the artwork and installations as our local tour guide gave us tidbits about the cathedral. It's always interesting to visit and compare non-Catholic cathedrals from the Catholic ones I've visited over the years. There was a wedding party taking pictures outside and services still go on within the building itself. We had the opportunity to visit the crypt area as well and they had a gift shop down there as well. I was most impressed with the art on the dome ceiling as well as various dedications and representations dedicated to the USA. Definitely their cathedrals and churches seem to be dedications to resilience and the lives that were lost in wars and battles fought. read more

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I visited St. Paul's Cathedral during Evensong, which allowed me to experience the cathedral without paying the standard sightseeing admission. The architecture alone makes this place worth visiting. There are so many details throughout the building to look at, and the history of the space adds a lot to the experience. Pictures and videos were not allowed once Evensong started. I did notice several people taking out their phones to record at different points. From my perspective, enforcement seemed uneven, with staff focusing more heavily on a few specific visitors. Even with that part of the experience, the cathedral itself is definitely worth seeing if you are interested in history or architecture. I personally would not pay extra for the sightseeing tour, but I can understand why others might, especially if they want access to the views from higher up in the cathedral. read more

In high season arrive early and buy your ticket online ahead of time so you don't have to wait in line. We were very impressed by the included audio guide which does a nice job of providing explanations, stories and history. The building itself is stunning and there is much to see. If you have the ability and the weather is nice climb the 500 plus steps to the dome for spectacular views of the city. This is a must see when visiting London. read more

This was one of the stops on our London city tour. It is the official church of the Diocese of London and is where Princess Diana got married to Prince (Now King) Charles. The impressive dome dates back to 1710 and the crypt located below the main church houses many famous Brits including Sir Duke of Wellington. This is still a working church and if not attending a service,there is an entry free of 25 pounds. Definitely a top site to see while in London. read more

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This grand Cathedral is a working Anglican Church in London designed by Sir Christopher Wren. It survived heavy bombing during WWII and has been host to quite a few events including Diana's wedding to Prince Charles. The Great Dome is one of the largest in the world. The Crypt holds the tombs of many war heroes. A must visit while in London. read more

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We attended Sunday's Choral Mattins at St. Paul's Cathedral. What an amazing Cathedral to visit, but I think most attendees were tourists (like me). We arrived early and were allowed to sit with the choir up front. What a great honor to sit with a great vantage point of the service. The choir is composed of children and adults, men and women and the voices are extraordinary. The service was beautiful and I couldn't help but think about the people who had attended over the past 300 years. The Cathedral was designed by the great Christopher Wren and is gorgeous inside with massive arched ceilings and ornate marble archways and statues. The choir seats are a dark aged wood with beautiful carving. Photography was not allowed inside so my only photos are of the outside. Tours during no the week are available and going up into the dome is supposed to be an extraordinary experience where whispers can be heard far away. After the service, the bells rang outside in an amazing display. read more

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We wanted to go here because this is where Princess Diana got married and the photo of her long wedding gown train on the stairs outside is iconic. Since we also wanted to see what it looks like inside, I went ahead and reserved tickets online far in advance. In addition, to try and avoid the crowds, we went during the work week right when they opened. Since we got there early, we were able to admire the outside as well as the gardens. Once inside, it's overwhelming how ornate it is. Everywhere you look, there's intricately carved marble and gold, and when you look up, you're looking up at high ceilings with chandeliers and beautiful paintings. Even if you're not religious, one can't help but admire the architecture and artwork. It truly is fit for the wedding of a princess. Free audio guides are provided, so if you just want to sit and rest for a while, you can do so and still be learning something. The self guided tour ultimately leads you downstairs to the crypt where there's a gift shop and cafe. The cafe is much appreciated because after all that walking, it builds up an appetite. The prices were reasonable and I didn't realize that an offering of 2 different salads was a common practice here in England. At the very least, I was offered them here and again when I went to Windsor Castle. I ended up giving the second salad to my sister. Having lunch inside a crypt is also a unique and interesting experience, like the tables and chairs are right next to huge, gorgeous carved marble statues and it's just like "How is this real?" but then again, that seemed to be the sentiment the whole trip. read more

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A must-do if you're in London. We visited twice, once to appreciate its majesty and then again for Sunday evensong, which was uplifting and memorable. Pro tip: approach it via the footbridge from across the Thames - the views are breathtaking! read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - This is a must-visit destination if you're in London. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

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Visiting St Paul's Cathedral was one of the highlights of our recent trip to London. After taking the Tube from our hotel, we arrived at St Paul's anxious to see Christopher Wren's masterpiece. It was our good fortune to arrive moments before a guided tour was starting. We were able to join the tour which was originally billed as a 1-hour tour but it turned into a 2-hour tour. Our tour guide was fantastic and gave an exceptionally informative and interesting tour. I would strongly recommend taking a guided tour. We were there over three hours and still didn't see everything. This is truly a masterpiece and should not be missed. read more

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Stunning and breathtaking!! Must visit when in London. Baroque style architecture designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of 1666. The first st Paul's church was built on this site in 604 A.D. Lots of history and cultural significance here. If you're in central London and have a few hours to spare, visit St Paul's Cathedral. You can spend some time in the church for a little prayer or wander in and around the property just admiring the architecture. Either way, you'll be blown away by the beauty of it all. read more

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Taking the stairs all the way to the top is a moving experience. Make sure that you see the whole church from the basement to the very top. I'm a 47 year old male in decent shape and was able to handle the stairs all the way to the top. read more

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One of Englands most iconic historic sites Haven't visited here in over 10yrs but the recent passing of my father made me want to visit again Beautiful place, lit some candles for him and my late sister, brings me peace Took a "highlights" tour , really liked our guide John who was knowledgeable and a great sense of humor The architecture is stunning , visited the crypt In past visits have climbed all the way to the top, not for people with weak knees Once you start climbing you can't stop ! Didn't climb this time around Definitely a must stop if visiting London for the first time- take the tour read more

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One of the top attractions in the city of London Best to book your tickets ahead of time to skip the line We did the highlights tour on the main floor and would recommend it Also did the crypt tour below but was not as good and boring, this can depend on who your tour guide is The is still an active church, be aware of moments of silence when visiting Can also climb hundreds of stairs up to the very top, to have great views of the city read more

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After booking reservations online weeks in advance, the hard part was waiting to see Christopher Wren's masterpiece on the inside. Because the building does not open until 10am, the front doors are closed and guests are expected to queue up. Surprisingly, there are no signs to tell you where to queue up, so people are waiting in front of the doors until they open. Upon entering, my bag is inspected and you can pick up an audio tour device which has not only information about the cathedral, but has reflection and prayer passages where you can take a seat (there are plenty) and just be. At intervals, the pastor will ask everyone in the building to be silent as he prays for our world. After the prayer and blessing, the pastor makes himself available to anyone. Taking time to pray to God for us and our world was special. While the audio tour was good, talking to the red-sashed volunteers was special in that they had information that was not in the audio tour. For example, the wood carvers would leave a signature on the carving that would be unique like a hidden rocket ship with stars behind some carved vines. If you're a Harry Potter fan like me, you can ask a red-sashed volunteer to show you the Dean's Staircase, a stairway leading to Professor Trelawny's divination class that was used in the film. Unfortunately, you can't walk up the staircase, but you can take some amazing photos. Walking to the Stone Gallery and Golden Gallery requires climbing up 31 flights of stairs, so train well before you arrive. Not only does the Stone Gallery give you a closer look at the paintings on the Dome, but the wall offers a neat little trick, but it takes two people. If you speak into the wall, another person standing on the opposite side (180°) will be able to hear you. On a non-foggy day (good luck with that), you can walk around outside and be able to have stunning views of the city. There's so much to say, but I would rather you experience it for yourself. read more

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Feed the birds, tuppence a bag...such a treat to visit this classic locale on a relaxed afternoon. I didn't pay to go inside, but was plenty entertained by circumnavigating the building. There are monuments, tombs, hidden green spaces and bountiful, marvelous architecture to take in from the outside. On one side, it was a bit surreal to see a pickleball court where I expected to spy a courtyard full of pigeons, but times do indeed change. read more

St Paul's Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of St Paul the Apostle, is an Anglican cathedral in London. It's the seat of the Bishop of London. We passed by it on our way from the Royal Courts of Justice to the Royal Exchange. The cathedral's dome, surrounded by the spires of Wren's City churches, has dominated the skyline for more than 300 years. At 365 ft (111 m) high, it was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1963. read more

This cathedral is stunningly beautiful. We paid to get in and then got assigned a tour guide who led us through this magnificent building while educating us on its rich and storied history. My husband and I love history so we listened intendedly as our guide told tales of the building's long life. After the tour, you can continue your visit at your own pace and/or tackle the 528 steps that lead to the dome. The steps to get to the dome are not for everyone. They are steep in places and it was quite tiring at times, but there are places to stop and rest. If you can make it all the way to the top dome you are rewarded with a simply gorgeous view of London. It was also interesting to see some of the many famous people who are buried in the cathedral. read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - St. Paul's Cathedral is filled with beautiful artifacts. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

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St. Paul's Cathedral is arguably the second must-see church in London (the first, of course, being Westminster Abbey). With its imposing dome - one of the largest in the world - St. Paul's forms a predominant spot along London's skyline. It's also a survivor: Although an older incarnation burnt during the Great Fire of London in 1666, the current dome (designed by Sir Christopher Wren and officially completed in 1711) survived numerous World War II bombings. The largest and most famous of London's many churches, and undoubtedly one of the most spectacular cathedrals in the world, St. Paul's Cathedral sits atop the site of a Roman temple. The previous church structure was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, and Sir Christopher Wren designed the rebuild. the twin Baroque towers and the magnificent 365-foot dome of St. Paul's are masterpieces of English architecture. If you're up to it, be sure to walk the stairs with their spectacular views of the dome's interior, You might consider climbing to the top of the dome to the Golden Gallery. You'll have to hike up 528 steps, but after catching your breath you'll enjoy far-reaching views of the River Thames, the Tate Modern, and Shakespeare's Globe read more

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This was cool to see. It's very grand and has beautiful architecture. It's mostly British military and political individuals that are honored there so don't expect to see any monarchs. Honestly just walking around the grounds of the cathedral would have been enough for me. Some people in our group walked up the stairs to the top of the spire and they said it was amazing so I'd recommend doing that if you're there. read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

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Amazing! The building is a masterpiece and makes such a statement. As far as churches go, St Patrick Cathedral was my focus. I hadn't considered that there could be other cathedrals as equally interesting. This cathedral was incredible. I didn't get to see the inside- bummer! But the outside was quite a sight to see. We just don't have cathedrals like this in the states. I should have known that England would swoop in with a badass cathedral! read more

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Beautiful cathedral just stunning. You have to pay to enter for sightseeing tours whether you go as a group or individually. It's a great donation for their upkeep. You can attend morning prayer at 7:30am and or receive Eucharist at 8am daily. You can check their website for the calendar with services. They also have an evening choir session but we did not get to attend this. You are able to take photos but just not in certain areas and not during service. They have a handicap accessible entrance on the side as there are stairs to enter. They also have a security checkpoint before you enter. read more

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St Paul's Cathedral is a must see when in London for the top. Inside at the top you aren't allowed photos or videos but it's well worth walking the whole circle and reading as you go. Then go up to the top for the view of London! I suggest using the audio guide as you go as well. Very interesting! read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - View from the top - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

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Visited this beautiful cathedral last month and it was a wonderful experience. It's truly stunning on the inside and is coated with gold and historic figures. I also thought it was really nice how they incorporated electronic payment devices for donations. In the basement, we saw the tombs of several historic figures. They also have a small cafe which feels a bit odd since it's next to a bunch of buried individuals but I guess it's their way of continuous support for the church. My boyfriend and I also climbed to the very top of the cathedral (500+ steps). It was pretty intense but well worth it. read more

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Love the building. When I used to work around this area I loved seeing it every time I walked out the office. I went to a Christmas concert there too and it was beautiful. read more

This is a stunning cathedral in East London - definitely should be seen by all visitors to London. Sir Christopher Wren designed this cathedral with an amazing dome which builds on the Parthenon in Rome, and in turn, served as a model for the U.S. Capitol. On a Sunday in early September 2023, I attended the 3pm evensong service (about 1 hour long) which is free. This provides an outstanding musical experience as the St. Paul's choir is top-notch in a space which has lovely acoustics. The service is focused on music - you'll have a chance to sing along a few hymns, but there is a brief sermon (maybe 5-10 minutes). The only downside of a Sunday visit is that many areas inside the cathedral are off-limits to visitors. The basement has a cafe (for bottled water or coffee) and restrooms. Behind the cathedral, you'll find a lovely garden, reflecting pool, and shaded benches where you can rest for a moment. Overall, this a "must-see" experience for first-time visitors to London. read more

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I made the mistake of ordering entrance tickets ahead through Get Your Guide. Don't do that. The signage is really confusing when you enter. One line says web tickets and group online orders, the other says purchase tickets. You would think, oh I bought tickets online, and you would get into that line. And you would be wrong. We waited in the longer online orders line only to be told to get into the (originally empty, but now full) other line. So we ended up waiting for almost 20 minutes to have our voucher scanned. When I mentioned they might want to add that caveat to their sign I was told with attitude: "Well I can't do it right now." Overall if you plan to do Westminster Abbey I wouldn't take time to do St. Paul's Cathedral. The lighting is quite bad so the pictures you see are misleading, and the service times aren't mentioned on GYG so you could end up having no access to the space when you visit. We had no idea that on a random Tuesday at noon the space would essentially be like Grand Central Station, mostly roped off, and we would be forbidden from photography. My advice would be if you do decide to visit, download the service times so you can take pictures and enjoy your visit to the fullest and definitely keep your expectations low. read more

This place is quite stunning to be inside. I am not a religious person but could appreciate how great it was and can only imagine how religious people feel inside of it. You can spend A LOT of time inside, especially if you do one of the headphone tours that go over everything inside. I can't believe how much history I walked through but it was quite an experience. You do have to walk over peoples' tombs, which feels uncomfortable, but it is built into the floor where the tours are. I definitely recommend a visit. At the end, there is a mobile coffee cart run by a very nice lady who has nice offerings. read more

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St. Paul's Cathedral is just as the title states - breathtaking. If you are in London, consider stopping here. Whether you are religious or not, visiting this cathedral should be high on your list. Not only is it stunning, but full of history and learning. Make sure to buy your ticket in advance. read more

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I was surprised that there was virtually no line here despite it being a historically significant and architecturally impressive church. I recommend buying tickets in advance to save a little money, and definitely try to visit if you can because it is impressive. It's actually a little shorter than the previous structure but once inside, it looks like the top of the dome reaches incredible heights. The audio tour gives a really good amount of information as it takes you around the building. It's separated out by section of the church so it's really easy to follow along and move on when ready. I think this makes a great contrast to Westminster. It replaces an older church that burned down during the Great Fire but instead of the medieval flying buttresses and gothic style of other churches, you really see the Baroque influence of Italian cathedral architecture like domes, mosaics, and painted scenes around every surface. It's also interesting to hear in the audio tour the dynamics between the architect Christopher Wren's influences from Catholic structures and the heads of the church wanting a Church of England structure to not appear too Catholic. There's a lot of thought that went into the imagery and some natural compromises were made. Once I was done marveling the interior, I saw that you can actually climb to the top of the dome. If you have the mobility, definitely check this out, although it's a lot of spiral staircase up. Even when you reach the end of one staircase, there's another one. And then another one. And it's one way, so make sure you are committed. But once you get to the top you can some great views! And you feel so accomplished. Just don't look down when climbing the staircase. The basement has the tombs of some important figures such as Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington and held the funeral for Winston Churchill (although he is not buried here). This is also worth seeing. I thought the gift shop had a lot of great souvenirs. Only complaint: the bathroom was only available outside the "tour" area so take your ticket with you if you need to leave the tour zone. Otherwise, if you can wait to use the facilities until you are done touring, there is not problem. This is a beautiful church and really interesting to learn about, so it's worth visiting. read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

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Terrible administrative staffs. Asked them a question and one of the staffs told me to shut up. Condescending behaviour. If their attitude would not get improved, this would not be a place for believers with true faith should you not want your emotions to be messed up before the worship. read more

What a magical experience! The stairs weren't all that hard, but there were a lot. Taking my daughter to the top and getting to soak in the view of London at sunset was just unreal. The staff were very knowledgeable and patient with all her questions. The structure is so well maintained. 10/10 will go again. read more

Kind of hard to not visit an iconic Cathedral is visiting one of the greatest cities on earth. St. Paul's Cathedral is a great example of architectural design in a day where computers were not the norm way of designing such. I've been lucky enough to visit this cherished spot several times over my life and it honestly never gets old! Always clean, ample room to explore, and of course a ton of historical beings inside. If you are lucky and visit during the offseason, make sure to explore the crypts to catch some big names and appreciate the work put into this cathedral. If you are trying to plan a tourist day and need a rough time frame for how long to visit, I'd say one to two hours is more than sufficient, of course depending on the time of year. I cannot comment on parking as I've always taken public transportation. As for the fee, expect to pay 17 pounds to enter, but it is well worth it! read more

This iconic cathedral is the late-17th-century masterpiece of Christopher Wren. It is magnificent, opulent, and very large (though not the largest cathedral in England. That's in Liverpool.) The exterior is one of the most famous buildings in the world and the interior is grand with high, sublime space. Two specific elements set this apart as well. First, one can go all the way to the viewing gallery at the top of the dome. This provides great views from atop a famous building and the journey up is an interesting experience itself, as these often are. The beginning is gentle but the last stage, up metal, spiral staircases in between the inner and outer domes, is more physically demanding and, for some people, too unnerving. When we first went there years ago, we were able to visit the famous Whispering Gallery part way up (there are others in the world, but this is one of the most famous). On our recent trip, however, that was closed. Second, the crypt underneath has the tombs of numerous famous people, including Britain's two great figures of the Napoleonic Wars, the Duke of Wellington (who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo) and Admiral Horatio Nelson, among others. Next to the crypt are toilets, a great gift shop, and a cafe. One should book online ahead of time and this is one of those places which is so popular that even if you do,you may still have to wait in line at least a short time in order to get in. Once inside, one may go to the top of the dome whenever one wishes, but this will be subject to whether there is a line (longer later in the day). The visit to the top of the dome is not a guided tour. read more

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Our timing in England ended up being more profound than we expected with the passing of Queen Elizabeth III. We hopped in line for a visit to the famous St.Paul's cathedral and after a quick security check, found ourselves inside. Note that this cathedral is free and open to the public. It's much larger than I anticipated. We sat and soaked in the space while watching as visitors lined up to sign the condolences books for the Queen. It was a touching experience. Definitely recommend popping into this church for a visit and moment of solace, if you're able. read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

This Cathedral is amazing. It holds so much history and is architecturally breathtaking. The audio tour is worth it and will make your experience even better. An absolute must if you visit London! read more

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Most beautiful view in London! Must visit if you are from out of town. Can't wait to visit again. A little pricey to get in but worth it. read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - View - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

***My 1,400th Review*** By far the most incredible experience that I had while in London! St. Paul's Cathedral was unlike anything that I've ever encountered. If I'm being honest, I've never considered myself to be religious. Even so, walking through this angelic cathedral ignited something in me. It moved me. How terrified these people must have been when the Old St. Paul's Cathedral was demolished in flames by the Great Fire. It's hard to believe that this reincarnation of the cathedral has only been in existence for over 320 years. When I walked in, I could just feel the history. I could feel the spirit. It felt amazing. Just looking at the composition demands your attention. How captivating is this building?! It's no wonder that it's one of London's most recognizable landmarks. From the giant overhead domes to the intricate spiral staircase; practically every inch of this cathedral is most certainly gag worthy. It once served as the tallest building in London before the construction of the Liverpool Cathedral. Even so, it's still considered one of the tallest buildings within the United Kingdom. St. Paul's Cathedral is still an active church and you may be called upon to participate in a prayer. Do it. It's such so powerful. Taking a moment to worship was truly a heartfelt experience. Because the church is still active, there is no interior photography allowed. But, that only makes this experience even more memorable. There will be no time to hide behind your phone, but all of the time in the world to really soak in the history and beauty of the church. The audio tour is one of the best that I've ever done. I really dislike audio tours in general, but this one was so engaging. Learning about the history of the Cathedral is truly fascinating. If you have the energy to climb to the top of the dome, you MUST do it. It's 528 steps to the top and worth every step. The view from the top of the Dome is just... spectacular. The best view of London by a landslide and also the most memorable. It's one of those experiences that might actually bring you to tears, and I am so not an emotional type of person. But this... was just so surreal. Very moving, very memorable. This experience filled me with so much gratitude. I am so honored to have visited such an amazing landmark. If you're planning on visiting the Cathedral, get ready to be moved spiritually, mentally, and figuratively. read more

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It's all about the view baby! And a ton of stairs! Warning! You have to climb what feels like an eternity of stairs but it's so worth it to get a glance at the most stunning view! They also do tours and walk you through the cathedral where you can learn all about the history I really enjoyed that it you're a history buff. But really it's all about the view up top, make sure you take some water and be ready to be sore for days! They also have the coolest cript downstairs. It was all truly mesmerizing I would definitely visit again if I'm in London just for a glimpse of that view. Beware if you are scared of heights. This is definitely a must if you are in London there was also an art exhibition of a very touching piece but not sure if that's permanent or just temporary. read more

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My husband loves walking up a million stairs for a view - so this place was on our list of sites to visit! If you go during covid - you will need to wear a mask to hike up all those stairs to the top - just a heads up! I don't think you need to pay for an audio guide or tour if you have a good Rick Steves book or app with you. The space is beautiful and I highly recommend making sure you are able to learn a bit more about the history surrounding this building as you go in for your visit - it'll make the experience more dynamic and memorable. read more

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11.11.19 We started our day at St. Paul's Cathedral today. The last time I visited, my friends and I didn't get a chance to go in because it was closed. It was an absolute stunning and beautiful cathedral. The details of the whole building inside and out were amazing. I saw a review that mentioned photos weren't allowed. But then I saw a bunch of people taking pictures. So actually, photos were allowed BUT not during service or praying at or after certain time. I believe it was 4:15pm ish? So hopefully if you ever go, you didn't hit a service or praying time so you can take some beautiful photos of the cathedral. We also walked up to the dome. The 528 steps were no joke. But once you got up, you'll so much appreciate you were able to breathe! How great it was to be alive. Hahahah The breeze was so nice. And I was very happy to say Thank you, London for the sunny morning. xD The only thing though, I was being asked for my ticket while I wanted to use the restroom which it was also where the gift shop were and also leads to the exit. I just didn't understand why... Bc if anything, I just can't get back in. My friend purchased the tickets online so I didn't have them. Connection wasn't so great there so I had to walk all the way back upstairs to find my friend and ask her to send me a copy of the ticket. I thought that was kind of ridiculous. I really had to pee. ._. read more

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