Rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666 by Christopher Wren, St Paul’s Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece with its dome being one of the largest structures in the world. If you are visiting St Paul’s Cathedral anytime soon, then here is everything to know about St Paul’s Cathedral's opening hours, mass timings, facilities, and more for a comfortable experience.
Monday to Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Wednesday: 10am to 4:30pm
Closed on: Sunday
How long should I spend at St Paul’s Cathedral?
Visitors usually spend about 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the Cathedral. This gives you enough time to admire the interior, visit the crypt, and climb up to the dome for those unbeatable views of the London Eye, the Thames River, and The Shard.
The optimal time to visit St Paul's Cathedral in London is typically early morning on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays before noon when crowds are minimal. Avoid visiting on Fridays and Saturdays due to high visitor numbers. However, if you do visit on these days, plan to visit before 10am or later in the evening after 3pm. Wednesdays open later at 10 am, making other weekdays preferable for morning visits.
If you don’t mind crowds, visit in the summer, especially to catch the Easter mass. To avoid the peak tourist season, it's best to avoid the summer months, particularly mid-July to early September. Visiting in the winter, from November to February, is the best time of the year to avoid large crowds, but be prepared for the harsh weather. December is also crowded due to Christmas, so plan your visit accordingly if you want a quiet experience or if you want to fully immerse yourself.
Address: St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom
St Paul’s Cathedral is located in the central City of London, on top of the famous Ludgate Hill, and is 0.2 miles north of the Millennium Bridge on the River Thames.
You can drive from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral, following The Mall and the A4 route. The distance between the two attractions is 3.3 km, and depending on traffic conditions, it takes around 20-30 minutes.
St Paul's Cathedral features two primary entrances: the west entrance through the Great West Door, which requires ascending 24 steps, and the south transept entrance, offering step-free access for enhanced accessibility.
Multimedia audio guides are available for your guided tour of St Paul's Cathedral. It's offered in multiple languages - English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, and Mandarin.
While there’s no strict dress code, it’s a place of worship, so respectful attire is advised. For a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral, it's best to dress modestly and respectfully. While there's no strict dress code, it's a good idea to avoid revealing clothing like shorts, tank tops, or mini skirts. Cover your shoulders and knees and avoid excessively loud or disruptive clothing with bright colors or obscene imagery or language. Comfortable shoes are also recommended if you plan to climb to the top of the dome.
The St Paul's Cathedral Shop, situated in the Chapter House, offers an extensive selection of gifts and souvenirs both online and in-person. Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Wednesdays from 10am), the shop provides worldwide delivery, with postage costs calculated by weight.
No, there is no car parking facility at St Paul’s Cathedral. The closest paid public car parking space is the Baynard House car park on Queen Victoria Street, a 6-minute walk (400m) away. Disabled parking bays are available near the cathedral.
Yes, English-guided tours are available and highly recommended for a deeper understanding of the cathedral's history, architecture, and hidden stories. Audio guides are also available in multiple languages. There are also touch tours and BSL video guides with subtitles for disabled visitors.
The Triforium tour takes visitors up to the Triforium and includes the library, the Trophy Room, the Great Model, the top of the iconic Geometric Staircase, and above the Great West Doors. However, this tour involves many flights of stairs and is not suitable for those in wheelchairs or with mobility issues. There are 141 steps to the Triforium level and the tour route includes several short flights of stairs. These 60-minute tours cost £15 per person in addition to admission.
Absolutely! St Paul’s Cathedral is family-friendly. Children will enjoy exploring the Whispering Gallery and learning about the cathedral's history. Entry for children under six is free.
No, tickets are generally for single entry on the day of your visit. If you leave, you will not be able to re-enter with the same ticket.
St Paul’s Cathedral Admission Tickets
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