Paternoster Square
Plaza Modern public square adjacent to St Paul's Cathedral
Paternoster Square sits next to St Paul’s Cathedral in central London; office buildings, restaurants and public spaces draw visitors for proximity to the cathedral, pedestrian routes and occasional events.
Paternoster Square is a modern public square adjacent to St Paul’s Cathedral in central London. It functions as a pedestrianized plaza and a commercial and financial office district.
The area was heavily redeveloped after wartime damage and again in a major early-21st-century redevelopment that replaced a previous postwar layout with new public spaces and contemporary office buildings. The redevelopment sought to provide a publicly accessible plaza while accommodating commercial tenants.
Paternoster Square lies on the north side of St Paul’s Cathedral in the City of London, within easy walking distance of major central London transport hubs and the River Thames.
- Location and use: Located immediately north of St Paul's Cathedral, it serves as an urban plaza and office district with the London Stock Exchange located on its perimeter.
How to Get to Paternoster Square #
Paternoster Square sits immediately north of St. Paul’s Cathedral and is served by St. Paul’s Underground station (Central line). Bank station (Central, Northern, Waterloo & City lines, DLR) is a 10-12 minute walk east; the City Thameslink and Mansion House stations are also walkable depending on where visitors approach from. Several bus routes serve the area along Cheapside and Cannon Street.
Tips for Visiting Paternoster Square #
- Visit just before sunset: the fountain and the façades of the London Stock Exchange and St. Paul's glow; photographers get the softer light and long shadows.
- Enter from Paternoster Row rather than the busy Cheapside side for a quieter arrival and a better sense of the square's scale.
- Notice the anti-terror bollards and the unusual paving: modern security measures have altered the square's choreography but also made for interesting juxtapositions with older stonework.
Best Time to Visit Paternoster Square #
Paternoster Square is a public square in the City of London beside St. Paul's Cathedral; it's best visited during shoulder seasons for pleasant light and thinner crowds.
Weather & Climate near Paternoster Square #
Paternoster Square's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (659 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 66 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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