St Paul's Cathedral

• The Golden Gallery
• The Dome
• The Stone Gallery
• The Whispering Gallery

Monday to Saturday
The Cathedral is open to sightseers between 08.30 - 16.00 (last admission)
The galleries are open to sightseers from 09.30 and last admission is at 16.15.

Exceptions to the opening times:

7th September Cathedral opens at 15.00
16th September Cathedral opens at 12.30
20th September Cathedral opens at 1300 (exact time to be confirmed)
21st September Cathedral opens at 14.00
29th September Last admissions at 15.00
7th October Last admissions at 11.45
13th October Last admissions at 12.00
27th October Last admissions at 1430 (exact time to be confirmed)
29th October Last admissions at 15.00
6th November Last admissions at 14.30
25th November Cathedral opens at 12.30
30th November Cathedral opens at 14.00
8th December Last admissions at 15.15
16th December Last admissions at 15.15
18th December Last admissions at 11.00; Cathedral reopens again at 14.30
23rd December Last admissions at 13.15
24th December Last admissions at 13.15
25th December Christmas Day – No Access for Sightseeing (Worship Only)
27th December Cathedral opens at 09.30

 Please note: Special services or events may close all or part of the Cathedral at short notice.

St Paul's Cathedral
A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has overlooked the City of London since 604AD, a constant reminder to this great commercial centre of the importance of the spiritual side of life. The current Cathedral - the fourth to occupy this site - was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Its architectural and artistic importance reflect the determination of the five monarchs who oversaw its building that London's leading church should be as beautiful and imposing as their private palaces.

The Golden Gallery
The Golden Gallery is the smallest of the galleries, which runs around the highest point of the outer dome, 280ft (85.4 metres) and 530 steps from ground-level. While the dome and galleries were being built, Wren was hauled up and down in a basket at least once a week to inspect the work in progress. He was 76 by the time this work was completed in 1708 and he watched as his son placed the last stone in position.

The Dome
St Paul's is built in the shape of a cross, with the dome crowning the intersection of the arms. It is one of the largest Cathedral domes in the world, 111.3 metres high. It weighs approximately 65,000 tonnes and is supported by eight pillars. Between the arches of the inner dome are mosaics of prophets and saints, which were installed between 1864 and 1888. The murals in the dome were created between 1715 and 1719 by court painter Sir James Thornhill and feature scenes from the life of St Paul.

The Stone Gallery
The Stone Gallery is one of the two galleries above the Whispering Gallery that encircle the outside of the dome. The Stone Gallery stands at 173 ft (53.4 metres) from ground-level. It is reached by 378 steps. While the Dome and galleries were being built, Wren was hauled up and down in a basket at least once a week to inspect the work in progress. He was 76 by the time this work was completed in 1708 and he watched as his son placed the last stone in position.

The Whispering Gallery
The Whispering Gallery runs around the interior of the Dome and is 259 steps up from ground-level. It gets its name from a charming quirk in its construction, which makes a whisper against its walls audible on the opposite side.

• Filming and photography is not allowed inside the Cathedral. 
• Children under seven (7) years of age are admitted free of charge and do not require a ticket
• Family tickets are available online allowing entry for 2 adults and 2 children of 6-16 years of age. If you require a family ticket you need only select one (1) ticket here.
• All advance tickets are available with a self-print option only. You will need access to a printer to print your admission tickets.