St Paul's Cathedral
8.8Friend Score / 10#4 of 20 Attractions in London
Known forst pauls cathedraldome climbwhispering gallerychristopher wren
Wren's baroque masterpiece with a dome you can climb — 528 steps to panoramic City views, plus the Whispering Gallery and a crypt holding Nelson and Wellington. Sightseeing tickets are £27 adult (summer discount from £24). Worth it once; if you just want the exterior, the churchyard and Millennium Bridge view are free.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Sat 08:30–16:30 Wed–Wed 10:00–16:30 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | St Paul's (Central line), 2-minute walk; Mansion House and Blackfriars also close |
| Time needed | 1.5-2.5 hours (add 45 minutes for the full dome climb) |
| Best time to go | Right at 8:30am opening on a clear day for the dome views before coach groups arrive |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.8/10- Value7.0
- iconic8.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level6.0
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility9.5
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to get into St Paul's Cathedral?
- Sightseeing tickets are £27 for adults and £10.50 for kids, booked online — that covers the cathedral floor, crypt and all three dome galleries with a multimedia guide. From 25 June to 1 September 2026 there's a summer discount, adults from £24. Attending a service is free.
- What are St Paul's opening hours?
- Sightseeing runs Monday to Saturday from 8:30am (10am on Wednesdays), with last entry usually 4pm. Sundays it's open for worship only, so don't plan a sightseeing visit then.
- Who is buried in St Paul's crypt?
- Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington have the grandest tombs, and Christopher Wren himself is buried there under a famously modest slab: 'if you seek his monument, look around you.' The crypt is included in your ticket.
- What's the nearest tube station to St Paul's?
- St Paul's on the Central line is literally two minutes away. Mansion House and Blackfriars (District/Circle) are both under ten minutes on foot, and Blackfriars is handy if you're combining it with a Thames-side walk.
- Does the Whispering Gallery at St Paul's still work?
- The acoustic quirk is real — a whisper against the wall can carry to the far side — though it only works when the gallery is quiet, which is rare mid-day. Go early for your best shot at trying it.
- How long do I need at St Paul's Cathedral?
- About 90 minutes for the floor and crypt, or 2 to 2.5 hours if you climb the dome. The multimedia guide is included and genuinely good, so budget time to actually use it.
- Can I visit St Paul's for free?
- You can attend any service for free, including Evensong most days — you won't be able to wander or climb the dome, but you'll sit under that ceiling with the choir singing. The exterior, churchyard and the view from Millennium Bridge cost nothing.
- Is climbing the dome at St Paul's worth it?
- Yes, if you're reasonably fit — it's 528 steps to the Golden Gallery and the 360-degree view over the City and the Thames is one of London's best. There's no lift for the climb, and the last stretch is narrow spiral stairs, so skip it if you're claustrophobic.
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Where to stay near St Paul's Cathedral
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