We attended Sunday's Choral Mattins at St. Paul's Cathedral. What an amazing Cathedral to visit, but I think most attendees were tourists (like me). We arrived early and were allowed to sit with the choir up front. What a great honor to sit with a great vantage point of the service. The choir is composed of children and adults, men and women and the voices are extraordinary. The service was beautiful and I couldn't help but think about the people who had attended over the past 300 years. The Cathedral was designed by the great Christopher Wren and is gorgeous inside with massive arched ceilings and ornate marble archways and statues. The choir seats are a dark aged wood with beautiful carving. Photography was not allowed inside so my only photos are of the outside. Tours during no the week are available and going up into the dome is supposed to be an extraordinary experience where whispers can be heard far away. After the service, the bells rang outside in an amazing display. read more

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After booking reservations online weeks in advance, the hard part was waiting to see Christopher Wren's masterpiece on the inside. Because the building does not open until 10am, the front doors are closed and guests are expected to queue up. Surprisingly, there are no signs to tell you where to queue up, so people are waiting in front of the doors until they open. Upon entering, my bag is inspected and you can pick up an audio tour device which has not only information about the cathedral, but has reflection and prayer passages where you can take a seat (there are plenty) and just be. At intervals, the pastor will ask everyone in the building to be silent as he prays for our world. After the prayer and blessing, the pastor makes himself available to anyone. Taking time to pray to God for us and our world was special. While the audio tour was good, talking to the red-sashed volunteers was special in that they had information that was not in the audio tour. For example, the wood carvers would leave a signature on the carving that would be unique like a hidden rocket ship with stars behind some carved vines. If you're a Harry Potter fan like me, you can ask a red-sashed volunteer to show you the Dean's Staircase, a stairway leading to Professor Trelawny's divination class that was used in the film. Unfortunately, you can't walk up the staircase, but you can take some amazing photos. Walking to the Stone Gallery and Golden Gallery requires climbing up 31 flights of stairs, so train well before you arrive. Not only does the Stone Gallery give you a closer look at the paintings on the Dome, but the wall offers a neat little trick, but it takes two people. If you speak into the wall, another person standing on the opposite side (180°) will be able to hear you. On a non-foggy day (good luck with that), you can walk around outside and be able to have stunning views of the city. There's so much to say, but I would rather you experience it for yourself. read more

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We wanted to go here because this is where Princess Diana got married and the photo of her long wedding gown train on the stairs outside is iconic. Since we also wanted to see what it looks like inside, I went ahead and reserved tickets online far in advance. In addition, to try and avoid the crowds, we went during the work week right when they opened. Since we got there early, we were able to admire the outside as well as the gardens. Once inside, it's overwhelming how ornate it is. Everywhere you look, there's intricately carved marble and gold, and when you look up, you're looking up at high ceilings with chandeliers and beautiful paintings. Even if you're not religious, one can't help but admire the architecture and artwork. It truly is fit for the wedding of a princess. Free audio guides are provided, so if you just want to sit and rest for a while, you can do so and still be learning something. The self guided tour ultimately leads you downstairs to the crypt where there's a gift shop and cafe. The cafe is much appreciated because after all that walking, it builds up an appetite. The prices were reasonable and I didn't realize that an offering of 2 different salads was a common practice here in England. At the very least, I was offered them here and again when I went to Windsor Castle. I ended up giving the second salad to my sister. Having lunch inside a crypt is also a unique and interesting experience, like the tables and chairs are right next to huge, gorgeous carved marble statues and it's just like "How is this real?" but then again, that seemed to be the sentiment the whole trip. read more

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Visiting St Paul's Cathedral was one of the highlights of our recent trip to London. After taking the Tube from our hotel, we arrived at St Paul's anxious to see Christopher Wren's masterpiece. It was our good fortune to arrive moments before a guided tour was starting. We were able to join the tour which was originally billed as a 1-hour tour but it turned into a 2-hour tour. Our tour guide was fantastic and gave an exceptionally informative and interesting tour. I would strongly recommend taking a guided tour. We were there over three hours and still didn't see everything. This is truly a masterpiece and should not be missed. read more

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A must-do if you're in London. We visited twice, once to appreciate its majesty and then again for Sunday evensong, which was uplifting and memorable. Pro tip: approach it via the footbridge from across the Thames - the views are breathtaking! read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - This is a must-visit destination if you're in London. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

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Stunning and breathtaking!! Must visit when in London. Baroque style architecture designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of 1666. The first st Paul's church was built on this site in 604 A.D. Lots of history and cultural significance here. If you're in central London and have a few hours to spare, visit St Paul's Cathedral. You can spend some time in the church for a little prayer or wander in and around the property just admiring the architecture. Either way, you'll be blown away by the beauty of it all. read more

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One of Englands most iconic historic sites Haven't visited here in over 10yrs but the recent passing of my father made me want to visit again Beautiful place, lit some candles for him and my late sister, brings me peace Took a "highlights" tour , really liked our guide John who was knowledgeable and a great sense of humor The architecture is stunning , visited the crypt In past visits have climbed all the way to the top, not for people with weak knees Once you start climbing you can't stop ! Didn't climb this time around Definitely a must stop if visiting London for the first time- take the tour read more

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One of the top attractions in the city of London Best to book your tickets ahead of time to skip the line We did the highlights tour on the main floor and would recommend it Also did the crypt tour below but was not as good and boring, this can depend on who your tour guide is The is still an active church, be aware of moments of silence when visiting Can also climb hundreds of stairs up to the very top, to have great views of the city read more

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This was cool to see. It's very grand and has beautiful architecture. It's mostly British military and political individuals that are honored there so don't expect to see any monarchs. Honestly just walking around the grounds of the cathedral would have been enough for me. Some people in our group walked up the stairs to the top of the spire and they said it was amazing so I'd recommend doing that if you're there. read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

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Feed the birds, tuppence a bag...such a treat to visit this classic locale on a relaxed afternoon. I didn't pay to go inside, but was plenty entertained by circumnavigating the building. There are monuments, tombs, hidden green spaces and bountiful, marvelous architecture to take in from the outside. On one side, it was a bit surreal to see a pickleball court where I expected to spy a courtyard full of pigeons, but times do indeed change. read more

St Paul's Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of St Paul the Apostle, is an Anglican cathedral in London. It's the seat of the Bishop of London. We passed by it on our way from the Royal Courts of Justice to the Royal Exchange. The cathedral's dome, surrounded by the spires of Wren's City churches, has dominated the skyline for more than 300 years. At 365 ft (111 m) high, it was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1963. read more

This cathedral is stunningly beautiful. We paid to get in and then got assigned a tour guide who led us through this magnificent building while educating us on its rich and storied history. My husband and I love history so we listened intendedly as our guide told tales of the building's long life. After the tour, you can continue your visit at your own pace and/or tackle the 528 steps that lead to the dome. The steps to get to the dome are not for everyone. They are steep in places and it was quite tiring at times, but there are places to stop and rest. If you can make it all the way to the top dome you are rewarded with a simply gorgeous view of London. It was also interesting to see some of the many famous people who are buried in the cathedral. read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - St. Paul's Cathedral is filled with beautiful artifacts. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

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St. Paul's Cathedral is arguably the second must-see church in London (the first, of course, being Westminster Abbey). With its imposing dome - one of the largest in the world - St. Paul's forms a predominant spot along London's skyline. It's also a survivor: Although an older incarnation burnt during the Great Fire of London in 1666, the current dome (designed by Sir Christopher Wren and officially completed in 1711) survived numerous World War II bombings. The largest and most famous of London's many churches, and undoubtedly one of the most spectacular cathedrals in the world, St. Paul's Cathedral sits atop the site of a Roman temple. The previous church structure was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, and Sir Christopher Wren designed the rebuild. the twin Baroque towers and the magnificent 365-foot dome of St. Paul's are masterpieces of English architecture. If you're up to it, be sure to walk the stairs with their spectacular views of the dome's interior, You might consider climbing to the top of the dome to the Golden Gallery. You'll have to hike up 528 steps, but after catching your breath you'll enjoy far-reaching views of the River Thames, the Tate Modern, and Shakespeare's Globe read more

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Amazing! The building is a masterpiece and makes such a statement. As far as churches go, St Patrick Cathedral was my focus. I hadn't considered that there could be other cathedrals as equally interesting. This cathedral was incredible. I didn't get to see the inside- bummer! But the outside was quite a sight to see. We just don't have cathedrals like this in the states. I should have known that England would swoop in with a badass cathedral! read more

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Beautiful cathedral just stunning. You have to pay to enter for sightseeing tours whether you go as a group or individually. It's a great donation for their upkeep. You can attend morning prayer at 7:30am and or receive Eucharist at 8am daily. You can check their website for the calendar with services. They also have an evening choir session but we did not get to attend this. You are able to take photos but just not in certain areas and not during service. They have a handicap accessible entrance on the side as there are stairs to enter. They also have a security checkpoint before you enter. read more

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St Paul's Cathedral is a must see when in London for the top. Inside at the top you aren't allowed photos or videos but it's well worth walking the whole circle and reading as you go. Then go up to the top for the view of London! I suggest using the audio guide as you go as well. Very interesting! read more

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Visited this beautiful cathedral last month and it was a wonderful experience. It's truly stunning on the inside and is coated with gold and historic figures. I also thought it was really nice how they incorporated electronic payment devices for donations. In the basement, we saw the tombs of several historic figures. They also have a small cafe which feels a bit odd since it's next to a bunch of buried individuals but I guess it's their way of continuous support for the church. My boyfriend and I also climbed to the very top of the cathedral (500+ steps). It was pretty intense but well worth it. read more

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Love the building. When I used to work around this area I loved seeing it every time I walked out the office. I went to a Christmas concert there too and it was beautiful. read more

I made the mistake of ordering entrance tickets ahead through Get Your Guide. Don't do that. The signage is really confusing when you enter. One line says web tickets and group online orders, the other says purchase tickets. You would think, oh I bought tickets online, and you would get into that line. And you would be wrong. We waited in the longer online orders line only to be told to get into the (originally empty, but now full) other line. So we ended up waiting for almost 20 minutes to have our voucher scanned. When I mentioned they might want to add that caveat to their sign I was told with attitude: "Well I can't do it right now." Overall if you plan to do Westminster Abbey I wouldn't take time to do St. Paul's Cathedral. The lighting is quite bad so the pictures you see are misleading, and the service times aren't mentioned on GYG so you could end up having no access to the space when you visit. We had no idea that on a random Tuesday at noon the space would essentially be like Grand Central Station, mostly roped off, and we would be forbidden from photography. My advice would be if you do decide to visit, download the service times so you can take pictures and enjoy your visit to the fullest and definitely keep your expectations low. read more

This is a stunning cathedral in East London - definitely should be seen by all visitors to London. Sir Christopher Wren designed this cathedral with an amazing dome which builds on the Parthenon in Rome, and in turn, served as a model for the U.S. Capitol. On a Sunday in early September 2023, I attended the 3pm evensong service (about 1 hour long) which is free. This provides an outstanding musical experience as the St. Paul's choir is top-notch in a space which has lovely acoustics. The service is focused on music - you'll have a chance to sing along a few hymns, but there is a brief sermon (maybe 5-10 minutes). The only downside of a Sunday visit is that many areas inside the cathedral are off-limits to visitors. The basement has a cafe (for bottled water or coffee) and restrooms. Behind the cathedral, you'll find a lovely garden, reflecting pool, and shaded benches where you can rest for a moment. Overall, this a "must-see" experience for first-time visitors to London. read more

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This place is quite stunning to be inside. I am not a religious person but could appreciate how great it was and can only imagine how religious people feel inside of it. You can spend A LOT of time inside, especially if you do one of the headphone tours that go over everything inside. I can't believe how much history I walked through but it was quite an experience. You do have to walk over peoples' tombs, which feels uncomfortable, but it is built into the floor where the tours are. I definitely recommend a visit. At the end, there is a mobile coffee cart run by a very nice lady who has nice offerings. read more

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St. Paul's Cathedral is just as the title states - breathtaking. If you are in London, consider stopping here. Whether you are religious or not, visiting this cathedral should be high on your list. Not only is it stunning, but full of history and learning. Make sure to buy your ticket in advance. read more

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Terrible administrative staffs. Asked them a question and one of the staffs told me to shut up. Condescending behaviour. If their attitude would not get improved, this would not be a place for believers with true faith should you not want your emotions to be messed up before the worship. read more

What a magical experience! The stairs weren't all that hard, but there were a lot. Taking my daughter to the top and getting to soak in the view of London at sunset was just unreal. The staff were very knowledgeable and patient with all her questions. The structure is so well maintained. 10/10 will go again. read more

I was surprised that there was virtually no line here despite it being a historically significant and architecturally impressive church. I recommend buying tickets in advance to save a little money, and definitely try to visit if you can because it is impressive. It's actually a little shorter than the previous structure but once inside, it looks like the top of the dome reaches incredible heights. The audio tour gives a really good amount of information as it takes you around the building. It's separated out by section of the church so it's really easy to follow along and move on when ready. I think this makes a great contrast to Westminster. It replaces an older church that burned down during the Great Fire but instead of the medieval flying buttresses and gothic style of other churches, you really see the Baroque influence of Italian cathedral architecture like domes, mosaics, and painted scenes around every surface. It's also interesting to hear in the audio tour the dynamics between the architect Christopher Wren's influences from Catholic structures and the heads of the church wanting a Church of England structure to not appear too Catholic. There's a lot of thought that went into the imagery and some natural compromises were made. Once I was done marveling the interior, I saw that you can actually climb to the top of the dome. If you have the mobility, definitely check this out, although it's a lot of spiral staircase up. Even when you reach the end of one staircase, there's another one. And then another one. And it's one way, so make sure you are committed. But once you get to the top you can some great views! And you feel so accomplished. Just don't look down when climbing the staircase. The basement has the tombs of some important figures such as Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington and held the funeral for Winston Churchill (although he is not buried here). This is also worth seeing. I thought the gift shop had a lot of great souvenirs. Only complaint: the bathroom was only available outside the "tour" area so take your ticket with you if you need to leave the tour zone. Otherwise, if you can wait to use the facilities until you are done touring, there is not problem. This is a beautiful church and really interesting to learn about, so it's worth visiting. read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

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Kind of hard to not visit an iconic Cathedral is visiting one of the greatest cities on earth. St. Paul's Cathedral is a great example of architectural design in a day where computers were not the norm way of designing such. I've been lucky enough to visit this cherished spot several times over my life and it honestly never gets old! Always clean, ample room to explore, and of course a ton of historical beings inside. If you are lucky and visit during the offseason, make sure to explore the crypts to catch some big names and appreciate the work put into this cathedral. If you are trying to plan a tourist day and need a rough time frame for how long to visit, I'd say one to two hours is more than sufficient, of course depending on the time of year. I cannot comment on parking as I've always taken public transportation. As for the fee, expect to pay 17 pounds to enter, but it is well worth it! read more

This iconic cathedral is the late-17th-century masterpiece of Christopher Wren. It is magnificent, opulent, and very large (though not the largest cathedral in England. That's in Liverpool.) The exterior is one of the most famous buildings in the world and the interior is grand with high, sublime space. Two specific elements set this apart as well. First, one can go all the way to the viewing gallery at the top of the dome. This provides great views from atop a famous building and the journey up is an interesting experience itself, as these often are. The beginning is gentle but the last stage, up metal, spiral staircases in between the inner and outer domes, is more physically demanding and, for some people, too unnerving. When we first went there years ago, we were able to visit the famous Whispering Gallery part way up (there are others in the world, but this is one of the most famous). On our recent trip, however, that was closed. Second, the crypt underneath has the tombs of numerous famous people, including Britain's two great figures of the Napoleonic Wars, the Duke of Wellington (who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo) and Admiral Horatio Nelson, among others. Next to the crypt are toilets, a great gift shop, and a cafe. One should book online ahead of time and this is one of those places which is so popular that even if you do,you may still have to wait in line at least a short time in order to get in. Once inside, one may go to the top of the dome whenever one wishes, but this will be subject to whether there is a line (longer later in the day). The visit to the top of the dome is not a guided tour. read more

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Our timing in England ended up being more profound than we expected with the passing of Queen Elizabeth III. We hopped in line for a visit to the famous St.Paul's cathedral and after a quick security check, found ourselves inside. Note that this cathedral is free and open to the public. It's much larger than I anticipated. We sat and soaked in the space while watching as visitors lined up to sign the condolences books for the Queen. It was a touching experience. Definitely recommend popping into this church for a visit and moment of solace, if you're able. read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

This Cathedral is amazing. It holds so much history and is architecturally breathtaking. The audio tour is worth it and will make your experience even better. An absolute must if you visit London! read more

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Most beautiful view in London! Must visit if you are from out of town. Can't wait to visit again. A little pricey to get in but worth it. read more

St. Paul's Cathedral - View - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - London, XGL

***My 1,400th Review*** By far the most incredible experience that I had while in London! St. Paul's Cathedral was unlike anything that I've ever encountered. If I'm being honest, I've never considered myself to be religious. Even so, walking through this angelic cathedral ignited something in me. It moved me. How terrified these people must have been when the Old St. Paul's Cathedral was demolished in flames by the Great Fire. It's hard to believe that this reincarnation of the cathedral has only been in existence for over 320 years. When I walked in, I could just feel the history. I could feel the spirit. It felt amazing. Just looking at the composition demands your attention. How captivating is this building?! It's no wonder that it's one of London's most recognizable landmarks. From the giant overhead domes to the intricate spiral staircase; practically every inch of this cathedral is most certainly gag worthy. It once served as the tallest building in London before the construction of the Liverpool Cathedral. Even so, it's still considered one of the tallest buildings within the United Kingdom. St. Paul's Cathedral is still an active church and you may be called upon to participate in a prayer. Do it. It's such so powerful. Taking a moment to worship was truly a heartfelt experience. Because the church is still active, there is no interior photography allowed. But, that only makes this experience even more memorable. There will be no time to hide behind your phone, but all of the time in the world to really soak in the history and beauty of the church. The audio tour is one of the best that I've ever done. I really dislike audio tours in general, but this one was so engaging. Learning about the history of the Cathedral is truly fascinating. If you have the energy to climb to the top of the dome, you MUST do it. It's 528 steps to the top and worth every step. The view from the top of the Dome is just... spectacular. The best view of London by a landslide and also the most memorable. It's one of those experiences that might actually bring you to tears, and I am so not an emotional type of person. But this... was just so surreal. Very moving, very memorable. This experience filled me with so much gratitude. I am so honored to have visited such an amazing landmark. If you're planning on visiting the Cathedral, get ready to be moved spiritually, mentally, and figuratively. read more

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It's all about the view baby! And a ton of stairs! Warning! You have to climb what feels like an eternity of stairs but it's so worth it to get a glance at the most stunning view! They also do tours and walk you through the cathedral where you can learn all about the history I really enjoyed that it you're a history buff. But really it's all about the view up top, make sure you take some water and be ready to be sore for days! They also have the coolest cript downstairs. It was all truly mesmerizing I would definitely visit again if I'm in London just for a glimpse of that view. Beware if you are scared of heights. This is definitely a must if you are in London there was also an art exhibition of a very touching piece but not sure if that's permanent or just temporary. read more

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My husband loves walking up a million stairs for a view - so this place was on our list of sites to visit! If you go during covid - you will need to wear a mask to hike up all those stairs to the top - just a heads up! I don't think you need to pay for an audio guide or tour if you have a good Rick Steves book or app with you. The space is beautiful and I highly recommend making sure you are able to learn a bit more about the history surrounding this building as you go in for your visit - it'll make the experience more dynamic and memorable. read more

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I really wanted to leave 5 stars. And I was close to doing so. But this morning we had a very embarrassing & hurtful experience here. It was our last morning in London so we woke early to pack and be at morning prayer at 7:30AM. We went in at 7:20AM and lit a candle in front of the Mary shrine as we began quietly singing the Angelus. We were the first guests in the cathedral. The verger who distributes the prayer books walked over to us and as she approached I smiled; assuming she was going to join us or welcome us. Instead, she interrupted our prayer at, "and the Word became flesh..." and told us, "we keep silent prayer in the morning. Thank you for your prayer offering, but we keep silent prayer in the morning." We were so embarrassed. But after looking around to confirm that we had not missed signs suggesting this, and confirming that we were, in fact, the only people there, we just became very hurt that our prayer would be interrupted like that. We would never have sung (quietly) if we knew there was a quiet stipulation or, even without a stipulation, if there were anyone present nearby. As ministers ourselves, we would never disrupt a prayer if it was at all avoidable. Worst case scenario, we would wait till the prayer was over and let the people know that we are preserving quiet and then on. Anyway, beautiful place and wonderful services. I doubt anyone will acknowledge this unfortunate situation and commit to educating their vergers better. But if they do, we will balance our review to honor their acknowledgment. read more

11.11.19 We started our day at St. Paul's Cathedral today. The last time I visited, my friends and I didn't get a chance to go in because it was closed. It was an absolute stunning and beautiful cathedral. The details of the whole building inside and out were amazing. I saw a review that mentioned photos weren't allowed. But then I saw a bunch of people taking pictures. So actually, photos were allowed BUT not during service or praying at or after certain time. I believe it was 4:15pm ish? So hopefully if you ever go, you didn't hit a service or praying time so you can take some beautiful photos of the cathedral. We also walked up to the dome. The 528 steps were no joke. But once you got up, you'll so much appreciate you were able to breathe! How great it was to be alive. Hahahah The breeze was so nice. And I was very happy to say Thank you, London for the sunny morning. xD The only thing though, I was being asked for my ticket while I wanted to use the restroom which it was also where the gift shop were and also leads to the exit. I just didn't understand why... Bc if anything, I just can't get back in. My friend purchased the tickets online so I didn't have them. Connection wasn't so great there so I had to walk all the way back upstairs to find my friend and ask her to send me a copy of the ticket. I thought that was kind of ridiculous. I really had to pee. ._. read more

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Saint Paul's Cathedral is an iconic London landmark and one of the coolest buildings in the city. Obviously, you can enjoy much of it from the outside -- and it's a sight to behold! The paid tour inside gets you access to the main floor, the crypts, and the balconies, which are also fun to explore. The main floor and crypts are pretty typical church stuff. But the balconies are certainly worth the price of admission. Keep in mind it's all stairs, so reconsider if you're not confident about climbing 500 steps! But if you can, the reward is worth it. You'll enjoy spectacular views of central London. Overall worth a visit! read more

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Pre-COVID review: A tour of this cathedral can be all done in the morning, but come early to avoid the crowds. They are open Monday through Saturday from 8.30 am - 4 pm. One of the narrators for the basement floor (crypt) was the same voice for the sorting hat in the Harry Potter movies! That so made my day when I placed his voice! Tickets are cheaper online, so definitely do that if you can. If you order online, you get fast track entry plus the £2 discount. Just make sure you have a date in mind as you have to choose a date when getting tickets. When we went, on-site ticket prices were £18 for regular adult and £16 for student, so online, it was £16 for adult and £14 for student. Admission includes entry to Cathedral floor, crypt and 3 galleries in dome + multimedia guides and guided tours. Well worth the cost! They do not allow any bag, rucksack or suitcase larger than airline hand baggage (56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including handles, wheels and pockets), so if you're coming right from the airport, you may want to stop by your accommodations first to drop off large luggage. When we went, there were no public toilets available until Autumn 2016, so all you lucky folks can pee now! read more

One of my personal favorite landmarks in London - stunning views + history = amazing! Came here with the London Pass (highly recommend) at around 9 am and was pleasantly surprised to find the place was not crowded at all. Free audio guides are provided, containing lots of history about the Church and how it is used today. They also hold free tours at set times. There's 3 main parts to the building: the towers, the crypt, and it's main floor. The main floor carries many art and sculptures as well as that of the choir rooms and such. The crypt was also very beautiful, but honestly the star of the Church was definitely the towers and the dome. The dome may be the second largest unsupported structure in Europe, but the most amazing part is it's ability to transmit sound. Walk to the top of the dome and ask your friend to walk on the opposite side of the dome. Then stand up and start whispering to each other (aka talking to the air). You will be surprised to be able to hear your friend from across the building. Really an architectural work of art. The towers also have absolutely magnificent views of all of London. Although the climb is tough, the view is absolutely worth it with nothing obstructing your view. Must visit if ever here in London. read more

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After several visits to London, Hubby and I have finally visited St. Paul's, and we wondered why it took us so long. What a beautiful cathedral. It is actually larger than Westminster Abbey. Hubby and I chose to climb the dome up to the The Stone Gallery and The Golden Gallery. The Whispering Gallery was closed on our visit. The 360 degree open air view of London is breath taking. Those who can climb the Dome should. Not recommended for those with physical limitations or young children. The Cathedral floor - Take in the beauty of the architecture and the various chapels. Stop and read the memorials. Do not forget to look up, as it is breathtakingly beautiful on the ceilings as it is eye level. The Crypt - It should be a solemn atmosphere. Parents, please mind your children, as screams are magnified in the Crypt environment. The Stone Gallery - First section of the Dome climb is 376 steps on a large spiral two-way stairway. It is a challenging climb, but not difficult. The Stone Gallery is 52 meters (about 16 stories) above London with 360 degree views of the city. The stone wall is high and pictures need to be taken in between the stone columns. The Golden Gallery - Another set of very narrow iron spiral stair cases from the Stone Gallery leads to the Golden Gallery. It is 528 difficult steps to the Golden Gallery, but the 85 meters (about 26 stories) views above London is special. The wall around the Golden Gallery is lower, so it will be scary to those of us who are afraid of heights. You have to circumvent the entire gallery to exit. The tickets are pricy, but being able to take advantage of the Dome views is worth the price. Hubby and I had an epic visit and would recommend it, especially the Dome. read more

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St. Paul is such a beautiful cathedral to be in and by far my favorite place to visit in London. The audioguide is free with the price of admission so i recommend getting this! it explains the entire history of the cathedral and the significance of the murals and paintings. You will find yourself sitting under the dome majority of the time while you relish the ornate architecture by Christopher Wren. There are three galleries as well as the Crypt: From the Cathedral Floor, you start your trek up 257 steps to the Whispering Gallery. For those afraid of heights, i must warn you.. I found myself clinging to the walls for dear life when i was up here. You will walk around a huge circle with holes in the walls that are adjacent to one another from the other end. When the cathedral was built, they made this gallery so that when two people were on two opposite ends, you can put your ear up to one of the ear holes and whisper messages to one another without being heard by anyone else. i think there were too many people trying to do this because it didn't work for me. Onward to the next 376 Steps, we get to the Stone Gallery where you get a pretty impressive view of the London skyline. But wait, there's more. Steps. The final 528 steps lead you to the golden gallery. This was the most excruciating experience because you have to go up very narrow spiral staircases and if you are claustrophobic, this not for you. You will need to squeeze through some pretty tight spaces and if you are tall like me, you'll manage to hit your head a couple of times. Were english people this small back then?! the final gallery is the most tiniest and satisfying because you get to go back down after making it to the very top. In the crypt, you will see the tomb of Lord Nelson who was famously killed in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 as well as Wellington and Sir Christopher Wren himself. read more