VERDICT: WE GAVE 5 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!
This guide forms part of our complete UK Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the United Kingdom.
This article is part of our 3 Days in London: Ultimate Guide. We explored St Paul’s Cathedral, Churchill War Rooms, British Museum, Tower Bridge and Tower of London, experienced Frameless Immersive Art, visited Abbey Road Studios and stayed at the Park Plaza Hotel. Follow our personal experiences and practical visitor tips. Highly Recommended – 5 Ticket Rated. Read the complete three-day London guide here:
If you only have a short amount of time, make sure you check out our guide to 24 Hours in London.
Two Hours Exploring Christopher Wren’s Masterpiece, Its Magnificent Dome and Centuries of British History
During our three-day stay in London, we decided that St Paul’s Cathedral had to be part of our itinerary. We were staying at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, which made getting there by public transit relatively straightforward.
From the hotel, one convenient option is to walk across Westminster Bridge to Westminster Underground Station, take the District or Circle line eastbound to Mansion House, and then walk approximately five minutes to St Paul’s. Another option is to continue to St Paul’s Underground Station on the Central line, which is only a short walk from the cathedral.
Our First Look at St Paul’s
There are certain London landmarks that make an impression long before you step inside, and St Paul’s Cathedral is certainly one of them.
As we approached, the sheer scale of the building became increasingly apparent. Its enormous dome dominates the surrounding area and has been one of the defining features of the London skyline for centuries.
Walking up to the cathedral and entering through its absolutely huge doors only added to our anticipation. Once we stepped inside, however, the exterior suddenly felt like only the beginning.
The interior was absolutely inspiring.
The soaring ceilings, intricate decoration, enormous dome and extraordinary architectural detail immediately had us looking upwards. This isn’t somewhere we wanted to rush through. There is simply too much to take in.
Christopher Wren’s London Masterpiece
The St Paul’s Cathedral we see today was designed by the great English architect Sir Christopher Wren following the destruction of the previous cathedral during the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Completed in 1710, St Paul’s became one of the great masterpieces of English Baroque architecture.
Its enormous dome is among the largest cathedral domes in the world and remains one of London’s most recognizable architectural features.
Standing underneath it gave us an entirely different appreciation for its scale. Photographs simply don’t prepare you for how impressive the building feels when you are actually standing inside.
Taking the Tour
We spent approximately two hours inside St Paul’s, including taking a fantastic tour of the cathedral.
For us, the tour was one of the highlights of the visit.
It was extremely educational and packed with historical information. Despite having visited London many times and knowing quite a bit about British history, there were numerous stories and details that we were hearing for the first time.
That is one of the advantages of taking a guided tour rather than simply walking through a historic building. You begin to understand the people, events and stories behind what you are looking at.
A Cathedral at the Centre of British History
St Paul’s has witnessed some extraordinary moments in British history.
The cathedral hosted the state funeral of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965, attended by representatives from around the world. It has also been used for national services of thanksgiving and remembrance, including celebrations marking the end of the Second World War.
One of its most famous modern occasions came in 1981, when Prince Charles, now King Charles III, married Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul’s Cathedral.
These events help explain why St Paul’s is much more than another historic London church. For centuries, it has been a gathering place during some of Britain’s greatest celebrations, commemorations and moments of national significance.
From the Crypt to the Famous Galleries
There is plenty to explore beyond the main cathedral floor.
Below St Paul’s is the crypt, where some of Britain’s most important historical figures are buried or commemorated. Among them are Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Christopher Wren himself.
Visitors can also explore the cathedral’s famous galleries within the dome.
The best known is the Whispering Gallery, located high above the cathedral floor and famous for its unusual acoustics. Higher still are the Stone Gallery and Golden Gallery, with the latter providing spectacular panoramic views across London.
Access to the upper galleries involves hundreds of steps, so visitors planning to climb should allow additional time and be prepared for plenty of stairs.
Still a Working Cathedral
Something that can easily be forgotten while admiring the architecture and history is that St Paul’s remains an active place of Christian worship.
Services continue to be held here, just as they have for centuries. That living connection between its religious purpose, architecture and British history makes visiting St Paul’s very different from touring a museum.
It is simultaneously a place of worship, a national landmark and one of London’s most important visitor attractions.
Our St Paul’s Cathedral Experience
We originally planned St Paul’s as one of several attractions during our three days in London, but it became one of the most memorable stops of the trip.
Our two hours inside passed remarkably quickly. Between exploring the cathedral, admiring Wren’s extraordinary architecture and listening to the stories shared during our tour, we came away knowing considerably more about St Paul’s and its place in British history than when we arrived.
Most importantly, we didn’t leave feeling that we had seen everything.
We left wanting to return one day.
For us, that is usually the sign of a worthwhile travel experience. If you’re visiting London for the first time or returning and have somehow never ventured inside St Paul’s Cathedral we would certainly recommend making time for it.
St Paul’s Cathedral — History, Royalty & What to See on Your Visit. Rising above the City of London, St Paul’s Cathedral is one of Britain’s greatest architectural achievements and a powerful symbol of national resilience. More than a place of worship, it is a stage for royal ceremonies, national mourning, celebration, and remembrance — and one of the most rewarding historic sites for visitors to London.
📜 A Cathedral Rebuilt Through History
Christian worship has taken place on this site since AD 604, but the current cathedral is the fifth to stand here. Earlier versions suffered repeated destruction, from Viking raids to fires, culminating in catastrophe during the Great Fire of London in 1666, which destroyed the medieval Old St Paul’s almost entirely.
The task of rebuilding fell to Christopher Wren, whose visionary design reshaped London’s skyline forever. Construction of the present cathedral began in 1675 and was completed in 1710, an extraordinary achievement for its time.
Key Dates at a Glance
- AD 604 – First cathedral founded
- 1087 – Norman cathedral destroyed by fire
- 1666 – Old St Paul’s destroyed in the Great Fire
- 1675 – Construction of current cathedral begins
- 1710 – Cathedral completed
- 1940–41 – Survives the Blitz during WWII
👑 Royal Influence & National Importance
St Paul’s Cathedral was rebuilt under the reigns of Charles II, James II, and William III, all of whom supported Wren’s work. Unlike many royal projects, Wren famously lived long enough to see his masterpiece completed.
Over the centuries, the cathedral has hosted some of Britain’s most important royal and state events, including:
- The wedding of Charles III and Diana (1981)
- State funerals for Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher
- Services marking the end of World War II
During the Blitz, images of St Paul’s dome standing amid smoke and ruins became a symbol of London’s survival and defiance.
🏛️ Touring St Paul’s Cathedral — What Not to Miss
A visit to St Paul’s rewards both history lovers and casual visitors. Allow 1.5–2 hours for a full tour.
✨ The Nave
The vast interior is calm, light-filled, and monumental. Look for:
- Intricate mosaics
- Wren’s precise proportions
- Memorials to national figures
This is where major services and ceremonies take place.
🎶 The Whispering Gallery
Climb 259 steps to reach this circular gallery inside the dome. A whisper against the wall can be heard clearly on the opposite side, a quirk of acoustics that delights visitors. Views down into the cathedral are unforgettable.
🌆 The Stone & Golden Galleries
Continue upward for:
- Stone Gallery – Exterior views around the dome
- Golden Gallery – Panoramic views across London
On a clear day, landmarks such as the Thames, Tower Bridge, and the London Eye are visible.
⚰️ The Crypt
One of Europe’s largest cathedral crypts, it contains tombs and memorials to:
- Christopher Wren
- Horatio Nelson
- Arthur Wellesley
Wren’s simple epitaph famously reads: “If you seek his monument, look around you.”
🕒 Opening Times & Admission
Typical Opening Hours
- Monday–Saturday: 8:30am – 4:30pm (last entry around 4:00pm)
- Sunday: Worship only (no sightseeing)
(Hours may vary due to services or special events.)
Admission Prices (approx.)
- Adults: £25
- Students/Seniors: £22.50
- Children (6–17): £10
- Under 6: Free
🎧 Admission includes a multimedia audio guide in multiple languages.
Why Are the Doors at St Paul’s Cathedral So Massive?
The enormous west doors of St Paul’s Cathedral are intentionally monumental and practical. Designed by Christopher Wren, they serve several purposes:
Ceremonial Scale
St Paul’s was conceived as a national cathedral. The doors are sized to accommodate state processions, royal entries, and large congregations during coronations, funerals, and thanksgiving services. Their scale signals that this is a building of national importance, not just a parish church.
- Symbolism & Authority
In Baroque architecture, grand entrances communicate power and permanence. The vast doors project the authority of the Church of England and the stability of the nation, an especially important message after the Great Fire of 1666, when London needed symbols of renewal and strength. - Practical Engineering
Massive doors help manage crowd flow for major events and provide effective weather protection. Thick timber and heavy construction also improve security for a building that has long housed national memorials and priceless monuments. - Acoustics & Atmosphere
When opened, the doors create a dramatic transition from the bustle of the City into the calm, resonant interior. When closed, they help preserve the cathedral’s acoustics for services and music. - Historical Tradition
Great medieval and early modern cathedrals across Europe used oversized doors to mark sacred thresholds. Wren continued this tradition, blending classical proportion with English cathedral heritage.
In short: the doors are massive because St Paul’s was built to host the nation, its monarchs, its ceremonies, and its collective moments, on a truly monumental scale.
🎯 Why St Paul’s Cathedral Matters to Visitors
St Paul’s Cathedral is not just about architecture, it is about continuity. It has witnessed plague, fire, war, coronations, weddings, and national grief. Few places in London so clearly connect the city’s past with its present.
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- England Ultimate Travel Guide
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- Bodmin Jail
- Salisbury Cathedral
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