GreaterLondonCITYOFLONDONStPaulsCathedral(sarahcrosslandSTAFF)4 SarahCrossland

St Paul's Cathedral

For more than 1,400 years, a cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood at the highest point in the city.

City of London, Greater London

Opening times

The cathedral is usually open for sightseeing Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 4.30pm (last admission 4pm).
The price of admission includes entry to the cathedral floor, crypt and the three galleries in the dome as well as multimedia guides and guided tours and the average visit time is two hours.

Address

St Paul Churchyard
City of London
Greater London
EC4M 8AD

Frequently at the centre of national events, traditions have been observed here and radical new ideas have found expression under the iconic dome. In many cases these events have left some physical record as well as echoes in the intangible memory of the building.

The present cathedral, the masterpiece of Britain's most famous architect Sir Christopher Wren, is at least the fourth to have stood on the site. It was built between 1675 and 1710, after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, and services began in 1697.

This was the first cathedral to be built after the English Reformation in the 16th century, when Henry VIII removed the Church of England from the jurisdiction of the Pope and the Crown took control of the life of the church.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Famous connections

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Magnificent memorials

  • National heritage here

  • Social heritage stories

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Accessible toilets in church

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Café in church

  • Church shop or souvenirs

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Train station within 250m

  • Church of England

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Benet Paul’s Wharf

City of London, Greater London

There has been a church on this site, dedicated to St Benet (or Benedict), since the 12th century, Shakespeare refers to it and both Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey may have received the last rites here.

St Andrew by the Wardrobe

City of London, Greater London

St Andrew by the Wardrobe was the last city church rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.

St Martin within Ludgate

City of London, Greater London

One of the most striking aspects about St Martin within Ludgate exterior is its tall, sharp leaded spire, which when seen from the lower part of Fleet Street, is a deliberate foil to the massive rounded dome of St Paul's Cathedral.