St. Paul's Cathedral, London
St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral
4.5
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Rebuilt by Christopher Wren after the great Fire of 1666, St. Paul's has been the site of many historic state occasions; including Sir Winston Churchill's state funeral and the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. A busy working Christian community with several daily services at which all are welcome. St Paul’s also welcomes visitors with access to five levels of the Cathedral including the Whispering Gallery with its unique acoustics and the Stone and Golden Galleries atop the Dome offering breathtaking panoramic views over London. Multimedia guides in eight languages for adults and children are included with sightseeing admission as well as free guided tours to join upon arrival.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Admission tickets
from $31.66
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighborhood: City of London
From its ancient past as a Roman trading outpost to its 21st century status as the wealthiest square mile in the world, the financial district known simply as “The City” is one of London's most historic and fascinating neighborhoods. Here high rise office towers such as Norman Foster’s Gherkin mingle with Roman ruins and architectural marvels from virtually every era in between, including Christopher Wren's glorious St.Paul's Cathedral, and John Soane's dauntingly classicist Bank of England. This neighborhood is also home to some of the finest restaurants and plushest hotels in Europe, in addition to an assortment of watering holes, upscale shops, and Tube stations. During the week, the City is abuzz with white collar workers going about their business; the weekend sees this area turn into a quiet haven for sightseers.
How to get there
  • St. Paul's • 3 min walk
  • Blackfriars • 5 min walk
Reach out directly
See what travelers are saying
  • ranatza62
    West Palm Beach, Florida7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful and majestic
    We visited during Easter week so it was rather crowded, but the self-guided audio tour allowed us to roam about at our own pace. The history and art were fascinating. Disappointing that the lift up to the balcony was unavailable so we weren't able to trek the hundreds of narrow stairs. Highly recommend.
    Visited April 2023
    Written May 3, 2023
  • L9267WPjeand
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Triforium Tour
    So happy we took the Triforium tour at St. Paul's Cathedral. Our tour guide, Tony, was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and welcomed all questions. It was very interesting to see the inner workings of the cathedral and learn it's history.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written May 9, 2023
  • mark S
    Chester, United Kingdom36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth every penny of entrance fee
    Much better value for money than Westminster Abbey. Although busy never felt crowded . Was able to take as much time as needed to listen to Audio Guide which is excellent. No problem to take photos without including someone's head or back! The Crypt puts Westminster Abbey Poets Corner to shame. The Dome and art work are amazing with lots of seating to admire it from.
    Visited May 2023
    Written May 20, 2023
  • June
    Singapore, Singapore42 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely Beautiful
    Located in a very centralised area, St. Paul's Cathedral proved to be one of the most amazing sites on our visit to London. The architectural design of the cathedral remains undefeated and we took a few trips back to just admire its beauty from afar and near. It's definitely a landmark you do not want to miss!
    Visited December 2022
    Written June 5, 2023
  • CMinBolton
    Bolton, United Kingdom56 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing interior
    Went for evensong in December - free entry. Plenty of seats available, amazing interior and lots of programmes provided to follow the service. Well organised, but exit door stuck and was a short delay in getting out! Worth a visit for evensong - you can walk round most of the lower area for free and get great views of the inside of the dome, but you'd need to pay to get full access.
    Visited December 2022
    Written June 27, 2023
  • Williams
    London, United Kingdom13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A detailed and graceful journey
    St. Paul's Cathedral in London is a stunning sight to behold. The detailed architecture and graceful columns are awe-inspiring, while the airy and peaceful atmosphere make it a great place to spend a few hours. Whether you're looking for a spiritual experience or just a beautiful place to explore, St. Paul's Cathedral is a must-see.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 30, 2023
  • CardiffTheresa
    32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    St Paul’s Cathedral Tour
    We joined the tour at St Paul’s Cathedral led by Heather, the tour guide. Heather was passionate and so informative. She took us on a 2 hour tour of the Cathedral where we learned and saw so much, that I think we may have missed otherwise. Thank you Heather for making our visit so enjoyable. In fact, I think it was the best tour of an iconic building that I have experienced. If you visit the Cathedral, make sure to join a tour.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 17, 2023
  • lamarbradley
    Nashville, Tennessee1,206 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very popular cathedral- must see
    What an amazing place. This was part of an Evan Evans London in One Day Tour and is something to see. Here are monuments and final resting places of some of Britain's greatest heroes, Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Florence Nightingale and William Blake. The Cathedral architect Christopher Wren is also buried here under a simple stone slab. A must see when in London.
    Visited May 2023
    Written July 18, 2023
  • Albermarle
    211 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic building if you can afford the admission price
    The cathedral is unusual due to its age of around 325 years old. Most UK and European cathedrals are either much older, or relatively new. Although an Anglican cathedral, its design/decoration was heavily influenced by Catholic and Italian style. Some of the decoration is from Victorian period, and a small part was rebuilt after being demolished by a bomb in WW2. The Whispering Gallery had very recently reopened after being fitted with an anti suicide fence. The steps up to are many, but quite shallow. They get steeper as you go higher to get a view over London. Overall a more interesting experience than most cathedral visits. However even with a free tour, £70 for 3 adults is the main downside of the visit.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written August 30, 2023
  • Pranav C
    Bengaluru, India23 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Big and beautiful
    The cathedral is beautiful. The admission ticket is pricey, but worth the visit. The audio guide could have been better. I prefer the ones where i can choose a number and hear the details as i walk around. Climbing up to the galleries is a must do, if one can climb all the stairs.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 29, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles17,624 reviews
Excellent
11,576
Very good
4,391
Average
1,072
Poor
343
Terrible
245

Kathryn B
Wales, UK252 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
As with most of the attractions we visited on the trip to London, we had high expectations for this place. After a little bit of queuing, we were greeted by a fantastic view down the entire length of the cathedral. After a little bit of roaming on the cathedral floor, we decided to climb the dome. The Whispering Gallery was closed on the visit, so the first stop was the Stone Gallery. This level is very spacious so people afraid of heights do not need to worry about this level. The views from here were great, especially of the little towers on the front of the building itself. The best views however were from the Golden Gallery. The stairs to this level are the worst of the climb (me, a person who copes well with heights, got vertigo from these) but the even better views were worth it. Millennium Bridge, Tate Modern, The Shard and many other landmarks are visible from here. The fencing may appear small in pictures, but it is actually quite high, so you feel perfectly safe, despite the wind. The crypt followed the descent, where we saw the burial place of many famous people (Christopher Wren, Horatio Nelson and Admiral John Jellicoe were some). Very interesting to see all these famous pwole in one place! To finish, we polished off the main floor. Looking up into the inner dome is a must, where you can see the little glass panel at the Golden Gallery level. The cathedra (bishop's seat) and various chapels were also interesting to see. I also loved how they allow you to take pictures, as it makes the experience even better. Despite what the people at Westminster Abbey would have you believe, photography did NOT ruin the church atmosphere. I can say with confidence that this is one of the best places I have ever been to and would recommend to anyone who is in London, just make sure you have three hours to spare.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul James H
151 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • Solo
The Cathedral is a magnificent building, that's lost none of it's granduer over the years. There is a small garden around the back of the building, that let's you sit and contemplate, relaxing to take note.

Admission to the St Paul's is via a pre booked online entry ticket, that includes a multiple language audio guide. There is no option to get a free sightseeing ticket, as the system won't let you proceed without selecting an adult /child/ etc; which all incur a fee. Once inside you can follow the exhibit displays, leading to the altar and behind it the choir. The choir is still actively singing in small groups at the back, although the Church-of-England advised prohibiting singing; as it spreads droplets. Whilst there is a service on, they ask you not take any photographs.

Once you're all done there, go to the top end of the cathedral; to climb the 528 steep spire. You can't go all the way to the pinnacle, as the whispering gallery and the golden gallery closed off. But you go to the stone gallery, and past the second whispering gallery, and up to the top; prior to the golden gallery.
Written September 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NicolaAnne2165
Newcastle, Australia86 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
One word: wow! St Paul's seems to attract fewer tourists than Westminster Abbey yet it offers a very different experience. The most amazing part - that I thoroughly recommend - is climbing the 500+ steps to the top of the second cupola. It's amazing to think that these steps were in place when the church was built. And while the climb is long and steep (you'll feel it the next day) the view is amazing - plus you see close up details of the interior construction of the dome and surrounds. Each hour a priest at St Paul's reads a prayer and the Cathedral comes to a stand still. This applies if you're still in the queue to get in, but it is an important reminder that this magnificent building is still a functioning place of worship and not just a tourist attraction.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pedipod San Diego
Escondido, CA26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
I began touring with the Rick Steve's free audio-guide when I saw that official guided tours were available every few hours. I signed up for the 1 pm tour which was comprehensive, including access to several areas off-limits to self-guided tours. The history of the Cathedral is fascinating; the architecture is most impressive. As this is an active religious site, there were private services at times, limiting access to some areas. I spent the morning walking thru the city with the Rick Steves audio tours ending at St Paul's then enjoyed my afternoon there. The docent tours add a great deal above the audio tour, thus I highly recommend including this person tour during your visit, even if you have to return the next day as they are very popular and crowded. One could easily spend then entire day here with a good guide book and personal tour.
Written May 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Donald D
Kollam, India765 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
The cathedral is more than 300 years old and was the tallest structure in London till about 1967. The Dome of the cathedral also remained to be one of the largest among the cathedrals of the world. On Sunday there is free admission but otherwise the entry fee that is charged seemed a little too much for a family visit. There is also a chapel to which there is free access for those wishing to pray. The baroque style is different from the gothic style that is seen in the Roman structures. Quite a marvel to glance through the paintings ...quite surprised at the position of the ticket counter & the security guards !!
Written March 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

helen2122
Swadlincote, UK150 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
We booked tickets on line the night before so we didn’t get stuck in queues. We saved money too. On our previous visit to London we found huge queues outside so didn’t get to see St Paul’s Cathedral. On this occasion there were no queues so perhaps just the luck of the draw! Entering was quick and easy with the tickets on my phone ready for scanning. We collected head sets and began the tour, originally playing every video guide. However, we soon realised that we were watching the screen instead of observing the lovely architecture so just followed the guide to give essential information. The mosaics on the ceiling are rather beautiful although other parts seem somewhat plain, but the architecture is clearly quite astounding and not to be missed. We wanted to go to the whispering gallery as that was our main interest but it was closed on the day of our visit. I would have given 5stars had this part been open. We did manage the steps up to the outside gallery where there were wonderful views over London on a day with lovely blue skies. Our son walked up to the golden steps to the higher level and, although he said there were some narrow passages and spiral staircases, it was worth the climb. Before we left we visited the crypt where there were many monuments and tombs including Wellington, Lord Nelson and Christopher Wren. Having spent 2 hours looking round, and climbing steps, we were shattered so left but you could spend hours if you wanted to take in all the information. Definitely enjoyed the visit and would recommend it. A pity about the whispering gallery!
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Opinion8ted
Saugatuck, MI245 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
This venerable cathedral seemed to begin life as an Anglican monument to war heroes. In its current iteration it includes beautiful, somber works of spiritual art, from sculpture to video. It all amounts to a moving self-tour using earphones and the taped guide, well done. A docent led tour is also available (check website for times). Timed entry tickets can be purchased online but even the weekend before. Christmas, in the morning, it was not necessary to have purchased them online. Additionally moving for Americans in Britain's memorial behind the altar to the WW2 dead. Architecturally significant because of its dome and grand features, this feels like a must-see for a variety of reasons. Good gift shop and small cafe for tea, water or soft drinks.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DaytonJG
Centerville, OH3,218 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
Visited for Evensong. I will admit, I was a bit put off by the admission fee (18 GBP per adult), so when planning my itinerary we visited during Evensong (free). It started at 5 PM, but we arrived around 4:30 and were allowed in. Everybody is guided to sit under the dome. Signs said no photos during services, so everybody was respectful of that. Pro-tip: sit on the left side. At about 4:45 they announced that there was limited seating in the choral gallery (is that what it is called?), so since we were sitting on the left side, we were one of the first in the queue. Only about 50 folks were able to sit up there. Individual seats with backs, so that was kind of nice. And we had to leave the bench in between us empty as it was reserved for the Mayor of London (he didn't show up). Anyway, I'm guessing these were some of the best seats in the house! Chorus was beautiful. Program lasted about an hour. Amazing experience for me. My heathen wife thought it a bit of a bore.
Written April 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maria F
New York City, NY20 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
My sister and I were visiting London and I had skipped going inside St Paul's on my previous trips. As an agnostic but lover of history and religion, I always love to visit historic churches, abbeys, etc and wanted to wander around St. Paul's but the entrance fee was a bit steep considering the money we were paying for everything else we were doing in London (and for a New Yorker, that is saying something). We attended Evensong one weekday evening (which is free and open to the public) and it was lovely. The priest made us feel very welcome and the church choir was spectacular. If you can make it, I highly recommend going. It was serene and beautiful which was just what I needed after a long and somewhat stressful day. The only thing I didn't appreciate were that others in attendance (also tourists, I am sure) were not quite respectful of the fact that they were attending a church service and were too loud, taking pictures during the services, chatting during the service, etc. Our programs said we would be able to take pictures (without flash) after the service ended but we were ushered out quickly which was fine, but the interior of the cathedral was beautiful. Lots of history, I would love to come back and take a tour or wander about another day!
Written June 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris B
Coventry, UK169 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Visited St Pauls Cathedral on a recent visit to London and would highly recommend it. At £20 per person, it is slightly pricey, £10-£15 would be more favourable, but its still worth paying. The inside of the cathedral is spectacular, the ceilings and altar are incredible and the view from the top of the cathedral gives an amazing 360 view of the rest of London. The crypt is also really interesting and worth checking out too.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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St. Paul's Cathedral, London

Frequently Asked Questions about St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $31.68, while a popular guided tour starts around $1.06 per person.


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