MyCityMyTown-What makes St Paul’s Cathedral in London a Special Place to Visit?
Updated: October 31, 2021
Appreciating London and St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is One of my special places in My City & My Town, Appreciating London Series. For many of you who follow me on Instagram (@timeless_travel_steps), you may have guessed this already, no doubt, given my several feeds on this iconic building.
My interest in this iconic building is not only limited to its architectural and historical value but also because it has sentimental memories for me, which I happily share with you a little later in this post.
For visitors to London, this post lists all the reasons why I think St Paul’s Cathedral is special and should be one of your top destination in London.
Planning a Visit to London?
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What makes St Paul’s Cathedral in London a special place to visit?
Here are my top reasons:
1 | History of St Paul’s Cathedral
First up is of course, is it’s long history, which literally is a history of survival! It sits on Ludgate Hill, the highest point of City of London and for more than 1400 years, a Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood at this very spot. The current St Paul’s Cathedral is the 4th to have been built on this site, built between 1675 and 1710.
According to the Cathedral’s history, the original church which was founded here in 604 A.D. was a wooden building that was destroyed by fire. The second church was built between 675 A.D. and 685 A.D. but was destroyed by the Vikings invasion in 962 A.D. The Cathedral’s predecessor was built over a 150-year period but was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. This means that the current Cathedral has survived for over 300 years and is still going strong! As you read along a little below, you will find out how the Cathedral survived the Blitz. Furthermore, St Paul’s is a Grade 1 listed building, an Anglican Church and the first cathedral to be built after the Reformation in the 16th century. With so much history, it is definitely a special place to visit, wouldn’t you agree?
2 | St Paul’s Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece
Although I have visited this iconic building on a number of occasions, it never ceases to amaze me! It is an impressive architectural masterpiece by Sir Christopher Wren and dominates London’s skyline! It is world-famous for its dome and sits at the height of 111 metres (365 feet). It was the tallest building from 1710 to 1967.
Read on to see a glimpse of the interior of this masterpiece. Needless to say that St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most famous buildings in the world and is a popular tourist attraction.
Why St Paul’s Cathedral hold special memories for me
I mentioned earlier that St Paul’s has special memories for me. Well, along with its rich history as a 17th century Cathedral, it has a special place in my heart because of its link to the school that my son went to.
The School maintain their 400-year old link with St Paul’s Cathedral and the City of London by holding a Triennial Service which is a special occasion in the life of the school. So, every three years the whole school is invited to attend a special commemorative celebration service at St Paul’s Cathedral. My son was a choir member which added to the “specialness” of the occasion and to be part of this tradition was an added value to my son’s education which has contributed to him being a fine young man today.
How did St Paul’s Cathedral survive The Blitz
3 | St Paul’s Firewatch
In addition, my third reason why St Paul’s Cathedral is a special place that warrants a visit is because, St Paul’s Cathedral was protected by a dedicated group of volunteer firefighters during the Blitz of WWII.
This group of firefighters risked their own lives by putting out fires from the German bombs that came raining down from the skies above which consumed many portions of the City. London City was bombed for a consecutive 57-day period, and while most of the buildings surrounding St. Paul’s was destroyed, the volunteer firefighters patrolled the roof of the Cathedral each night to put-out the fires that was upon it. The Cathedral survived the Blitz and became the symbol of hope for the people of City of London. And I think appreciating this magnificent Cathedral for all its beauty of architecture and traditions is a way of paying tribute to the many volunteer firefighters of St. Paul’s Firewatch who had made this possible and by it, my son’s school was able to maintain their centuries-old tradition with St. Paul’s Cathedral.
You can read more about the volunteers of St. Paul’s Firewatch here
4 | St Paul’s Cathedral and future generations
St Paul’s Cathedral is being preserved for future generations. This iconic building has undergone a massive restoration project over a period of 15 years, costing £40 million. The restoration work was completed in 2011 and definitely is deserving of a visit to appreciate the painstaking work that was undertaken here. The restoration project involved both the exterior and interior, but primarily the exterior. It included:
Exterior
Involved the painstaking job of cleaning and transforming 300 years of London’s pollution and history from the blackened and damaged West front of the Cathedral. About 150,000 blocks of the Cathedral’s white Portland stone was cleaned on the outside. An addition to the exterior is the ramp for wheelchair access to the crypt. The south churchyard gardens had been also landscaped.
Interior
Using state-of-the-art conservation techniques, the mosaics, carvings and sculpture was brought to life by light “flooding” the building. You can experience this enhancement when you stand right in the middle of the dome and look up and the sun comes through from the sides. It is somehow more-airy! Make sure you choose a nice and sunny day to experience this. Also, the grand organ was restored to its former glory!
5 | St Paul’s Cathedral is one of Top 10 in London
St Paul’s Cathedral boasts a rich history and architecture which should be explored by every visitor to the City and for this reason it is one of the top ten recommended sights in London.
Explore the Cathedral floor and crypt, climb its galleries and enjoy the panoramic view of London from the top of the dome. The Cathedral is open to visitors in between worship services in the morning and in the evening. At most times, visitors do attend one of the worship services here either before or after they tour.
When you step inside, beyond the security checks, you will be faced with an awe-inspiring stunning interior and the highlight being the dome, one of the largest in the world. Your tour ticket will give you access to all five-levels, the highest of which will give you spectacular views over London:
6 | Discover Why St Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s top 10
6.1 | Cathedral Floor and the Crypt (Levels 1 and 2)
Walk on the footsteps of the many politicians and royalties that have visited the Cathedral before you and be inspired by the architecture of this magnificent building. The dome is the central feature and when you stand right in the middle of it, you will see just how large and beautiful it is! I used to wonder, how brilliant it was that such a beautiful structure with intricate details was created many centuries ago without the modern technology which we have now.
In my thoughts, I do compare St Paul’s to the Notre Dame in Paris, and whilst the latter was built in Gothic architectural style, Christopher Wren’s St. Paul’s is rather different, though not modern but has a classical twist to it.
Who is Christopher Wren?
A little about Sir Christopher Wren
Sir Christopher Wren was indeed an extremely talented architect, sadly though he died shortly after the Cathedral’s completion. It has often been said that “if you are searching for his monument, look around you” – thus, was his architectural greatness and influence. For his contribution, he was honoured and buried in the OBE Chapel in St Paul’s Cathedral’s Crypt.
From the Cathedral Floor, climb the 528 steps to the highest point which is the outer dome, but before that, the first stop is at 259 steps up – at the Whispering Gallery
6.2 | The Whispering Gallery
At 259 steps up is the Whispering Gallery which runs around the interior of the dome and has unique acoustics. The name “Whispering Gallery” comes from a charming quirk in its construction and was first explained by Lord Rayleigh who conducted experiments and developed wave theories for St Paul’s in 1910 and 1914. If you whisper against the walls, the sound is carried by waves, known as whispering gallery waves, that travels all the way round the circumference by clinging to the walls. It is this that causes whispers to be heard by someone on the other side. Believe it or not, it actually works!
It is said that the discovery of the Whispering Gallery was accidental as Wren did not design this part of the walkway with sophisticated acoustics. The circular structure at the base of the dome and the benches alongside the walkway became a quiet meeting point for many after the Cathedral’s consecration, and it was by accident that conversations in a low-tone on one side of the gallery could be heard along that same wall across the other side of the circular walkway.
This accidental discovery of this charming sonic quirk has become a popular tourist attraction. When you are next here, be sure to “whisper”…it is so much fun when you are doing this with kids!
Another similar attraction is New York ’s Grand Central Station, also an accidental creation.
6.3 | The Stone Gallery at St Paul’s
A further 119 steps is the Stone Gallery, which runs outside the dome at about 53 meters high (173 feet). This is a good photo opportunity and you do get good views of London.
6.4 | Outer Dome
You can go further up, to the highest point at 85.3 meters (280 feet), which is the outer dome, for unrivalled views over the City of London. Be mindful of the steps as it is a narrow swivel metal stairway but don’t let this minor challenge deter you from reaching the highest point because it is well worth the effort.
6.5 | The exterior of St Paul’s Cathedral
When a tour of the interior is completed, spend some time on the Cathedral’s front area and the Churchyard.
The exterior of St Paul’s Cathedral makes a great photo opportunity. There is the statue of Queen Anne, who was the reigning monarch at the time the Cathedral was completed.
Explore the gardens surrounding the Cathedral. There are lots of benches to sit on and to have a small picnic if you wish to do so. Marvel at the views that surrounds you. Besides the dome, the tall white Corinthian columns speaks elegance and beauty, gleaming in the rays of sunlight against it. Enjoy it 🙂
My final say on St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is a beautiful, neo-classical architectural masterpiece that will grab your attention from the moment you walk-in. The nave, the dome, the natural sunlight shinning through the beautiful windows, the whispering gallery, the narrow metal steps and the Views – are all worth a couple of hours of experience. This is indeed a special place to visit and you do not have to be religious to appreciate the beauty of the Cathedral.
Recommended >> What is next to St Pauls? – walk into a square that has a modern courtyard which has its origins in medieval times
Travel tips and Practical information on St Paul’s Cathedral
Opening times:
Monday – Saturday: 08:30 – 16:30 (Last entry at 16:00)
Sunday – No sightseeing; Open for worship only.
Recommended visiting time is 2 hours but give yourself more time if you are planning to attend a service.
When planning your visit, consider purchasing your tickets at least a day in advance as it is cheaper than on the day.
Adults: £17.00 | Family (2+2): £44.00 | Child: £ 8.00
Purchase St Paul’s Cathedral entry ticket
Getting to St Pauls
Underground
St Paul’s Central Line (2 minutes-walk)
Mansion House – District and Circle Line (5 minutes-walk)
Blackfriars – District and Circle Line (5 minutes-walk)
Bank – Central, Northern and Waterloo & City, DLR (7 minutes-walk)
Trains
City Thameslink – 3 minutes-walk
Blackfriars – 5 minutes-walk
Cannon Street – 6 minutes-walk
Liverpool Street – 15 minutes-walk
Bus
These buses stop nearby: 4,8,25,26,56,76,100 and 242
River Bus: MBNA Thames Clippers
Blackfriars Pier – 9 minute-walk
Bankside Pier – 10 minute-walk
Ways to experience St Paul’s Cathedral
There are more than one way to experience St Paul’s Cathedral – from a stand alone entry ticket suitable to a combination of other iconic sites in London which may involve a full day of sightseeing. Whichever way you choose to experience St Paul’s Cathedral, perusing the choices on 5 Rewarding Ways to Experience St Paul’s Cathedral London is a great starting point. The choices available will guide you to making your valued final decision.
Planning your trip
The following general guide is something which I often use to plan my travels. It may also add value to your search for the best in travel.
Travel resources at a Glance
Planning your dream vacation? Excellent! Here are all the Resources and Practical information you need for your self-guided or guided vacation.
Legal entry/Tourist travel Visa
Check Visa requirements with iVisa, a leading independent company in the travel documentation industry.
Flights
I have a few choices. Search Google flights because they offer very competitive prices. You could also try Opodo for cheap airfares. For special experiences, go to On the Beach and Jet2Holidays. My all time favourite has been Qatar Airways for long-haul flights for the comfort and their first-class service. I use British Airways as well. For all other global deals >> kiwi.com
For more choices, visit our Resources page
Accommodations
My favourite website for booking hotels is booking.com – I love their flexible cancellation policy which means I’m covered till the last minute. I also like that the totals show up for the whole stay so it helps me budget better. Other favourites of mine are Millennium & Copthorne Group of Hotels and Resorts for their consistent high quality accommodations and service. You could also take a look at the Radisson Hotels chain that caters for all budget. For accommodations in UK that has a personal touch and affordable luxury, stay at Hotel du Vin.
Unique experiences & tours
My all time go to resource for unique experiences and tours is Get your Guide. I am also a fan of Viator for their special deals. You shall find suggestions on recommended tours sprinkled throughout TTS on each experience I write about.
Travel insurance
Never travel without travel insurance and never overpay for travel insurance! I use and recommend World Nomads for your travel insurance needs. They even insure on the go. Before purchasing any any travel policy, read through the terms to ensure that the plan is right for you and your trip.
Travel essentials
Never travel without these! I use and fully endorse all the products on this page but especially: High powered wireless power bank, Universal travel adapter and unlimited portable pocket wifi.
… what do you think?
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Happy discovering St Paul’s Cathedral, London
Georgina xoxo
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“You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford”
Samuel Johnson
MyCityMyTown-What makes St Paul’s Cathedral in London a Special Place to Visit? first published at timelesstravelsteps.com
Updated: September7, 2022
St Paul’s is absolutely stunning. Glad you enjoyed your visit to this iconic landmark in London.
Been there and done that! 😀
This was actually one of the buildings in London that really impressed me, and its so stunning! 🙂
St Paul’s Cathedral really is a beautiful piece of architecture which should not missed and perhaps visited at least once in a lifetime. I am so excited about your FunFact – never knew of such a church! I am really very keen now to visit The Church of St Mary Aldermanbury in Missouri. And listen to Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech – how awesome is that!
While I’m always drawn to St. Paul’s Cathedral when I’m in that part of London, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the inside. ABSOLUTELY gorgeous! Fun Fact: Here in the Midwestern US, we have a Christopher Wren church. The Church of St Mary Aldermanbury was dismantled and rebuilt at Westminster College, Missouri, and now includes a museum honoring Churchill and his Iron Curtain speech.
Thank you so much, Melissa. Glad that you found the article with useful information. St Paul’s is always doing various activities which may be new to you and I am sure you will enjoy another visit. Let me know should you need any further information nearer the time.
Great article, with lots of great information, we have visited in the Past but would love to go back
St Paul’s definitely warrants a visit – not just for its art but the whole design of the dome viewed from the inside will have in awe. And the whispering gallery is an experience worth exploring. Thank you so much for sharing.
You are absolutely correct, St Paul’s area is peaceful and just lovely to relax. Definitely beautiful to explore. Thank you so much for sharing.
We have never been inside the cathedral but probably will have to do so 😁 but it is a stunning piece of art for sure.
I do love St. Pauls, it’s a surprisingly peaceful part of London!
I think you have got it spot on there, that St Paul’s “retains a feeling of humility as compared to some of the gilt and gold cathedrals in Europe” – there is a kind of special feeling about this Cathedral for all that it withstood especially the Blitz. The Whispering Gallery is unique and so nice to have such happy memories of it. Thank you so much, Joycee for sharing your memories and that of your parents, I appreciate it.
A wonderful post to read Georgina. St Paul’s is always a favourite haunt of mine when visiting London (albeit only every few years from the other side of the word). I believe the reason is that this grand old structure still retains a feeling of humility as compared to some of the gilt and gold cathedrals in Europe.
I’ve always loved the Whispering Gallery. My Mum and Dad said when they were first going out together they whispered sweet nothings to each other from opposite sides of the gallery 🙂
Many thanks for your thoughtful and kind comments, Estelle. Really appreciate it. Wren’s architecture speaks volume and the dome is definitely a section not to be missed. Climbing all the way up is an added experience. I look forward to your thoughts of your visit here next year 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words, Marilyn. I always found Britain’s history fascinating and discovering the contributions made by the fire-fighters during the Blitz was definitely a valuable extension to my knowledge. Your thoughts are much appreciated.
Thanks Georgina for a wonderful post. St Paul’s Cathedral looks so stunning & your photos are very beautiful. Plus all the history and different sections to see. I understand now why St Paul’s Cathedral is in London’s Top 10. I haven’t visited, but it is on my list now.
Having visited St Pauls many years ago and appreciating its grandeur, I have now learnt more of its history and the heroics of the cities fire-fighters. An enriching read. Thank you. 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words, Gabby 🙂 I am pleased that I have inspired you to visit St Paul’s. You will be amazed at the incredible architecture that has survived for centuries. Hope to inspire you to visit other places in London as I re-trace my steps…
The Whispering Gallery sounds amazing! I’d heard off something similar but it was in a movie so want sure if it was true! I honestly never would have considered visiting this place but you’ve totally changed my mind!