Visit St Paul’s Cathedral | Opening Hours, Location, Facilities & More

What is the best time to visit St Paul's Cathedral?

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.

St Paul's Cathedral location

Address: St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom

Find on Maps

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.

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Getting to St Paul's Cathedral

By public transport

By underground: If you are near Buckingham Palace, you can walk to the nearest tube station - St. James's Park - and get on the district line to reach Blackfriars, which is 0.6 km from the church.
By bus: Get on bus line 26 from St. James's Park, 0.6 km from Buckingham Palace. It will drop you right at the cathedral.

By car

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.

Know before you go

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.

Toilets in the crypt
Souvenir shop in the crypt
Baby changing facilities
Multimedia guides in nine languages for adults and children
Prams and pushchairs allowed

Lift access
Ramp entrances (near south transept entrance)
All toilets have left-handed, right-handed, and unisex cubicles
Multimedia British Sign Language tour with subtitles
Guided touch tours for visually impaired visitors
Assistance dogs, guide dogs, and hearing dogs allowed
Mobility scooters and wheelchairs allowed

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.

Large bags or items exceeding 45cm x 30cm x 25cm are not permitted inside.
Flash photography, video recording, selfie sticks, tripods, and monopods are prohibited.
Guests must undergo mandatory bag checks before entering.
The last admission is typically at 4pm, so arrive well before closing to ensure entry, or entry will be denied.

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.

Cafe Rouge - St Paul's (236 ft): Savor the flavors of France at Cafe Rouge. Indulge in a delightful selection of French cuisine, from classic French Onion Soup and Poulet Breton to exquisite Crème Brûlée.
The Ivy Asia, St Paul's (0.16 km): Located near St Paul's Cathedral, The Ivy Asia offers a contemporary dining experience with innovative Asian-inspired dishes and creative cocktails.
Franco Manca (1.7 km): Just a short walk from St Paul's Cathedral, Franco Manca is renowned for its delicious sourdough pizza. With daily specials, it promises some of the best pizzas in the area.

Tower of London (1.7 km): The Tower of London, an iconic fortress on the River Thames, has historically served as a royal palace, prison, and treasury. It is renowned for housing the Crown Jewels.
London Eye (2.2 km): The London Eye, a magnificent 135-meter-tall Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the Thames, provides unparalleled panoramic views of London's iconic skyline.
Tower Bridge (2.7 km): Explore the inner workings of the famous Tower Bridge and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of London and the River Thames.

Budget hotels: St Christopher's Inn London Bridge: The Inn (from 32 | 2.5 km), The Rose & Crown, London Bridge (from 54 | 2.2 km), easyHotel London City Shoreditch (from 66 | 1.9 km), The Corner | London City (from 92 | 3.3 km)
Mid-range hotels: hub by Premier Inn London City Bank hotel (from £122 | 0.8 km), Travelodge London Bank (from £124 | 0.8 km), YHA London St Paul's Hostel (from £125 | 0.16 km), Club Quarters Hotel St. Paul’s (from £168 | 0.16 km)
Luxury hotels: Lost Property, St Paul's London (from £219 | 0.16 km), Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars (from £282 | 0.6 km), master St. Paul's Serviced Apartment (from £310 | 0.16 km), The Westin London City (from £477 | 0.4 km)

Since there are many stairs to climb at St Paul's Cathedral to visit different galleries, it's best to wear comfortable shoes.
You can take photographs only on the Cathedral floor, crypt, and external galleries.
Avoid carrying large bags to St Paul's Cathedral as no cloakroom facility is available.
If you bring kids along, make sure to keep them under supervision to ensure the peaceful decorum of the church.

Frequently Asked Questions about visiting St Paul's Cathedral

Are the car parking facilities at St Paul's Cathedral?

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.

Are guided tours available at St Paul’s 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.

Are there tours to areas not covered on a general guided tour?

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.

Can I bring my children to St Paul’s Cathedral?

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.

Can I re-enter St Paul’s Cathedral on the same day with the same ticket?

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.