St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in central London designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built after the Great Fire of 1666; the present building dates from the late 17th to early 18th centuries. Its large dome is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks and a focal point of London’s skyline.

Visitors commonly explore the nave, the crypt with memorials and tombs, and climb to the Whispering Gallery and higher galleries for internal views and panoramas over the city. The dome and galleries illustrate Wren’s Baroque design and are a major reason people visit for architecture and history.

The cathedral was commissioned in the aftermath of the Great Fire and completed under Wren’s direction as part of the city’s rebuilding; it has served as the site for state services, funerals and national ceremonies and has undergone conservation work to maintain its stonework and interior decoration.

St Paul’s stands on Ludgate Hill in the City of London and occupies a prominent hilltop position in central London, within walking distance of the River Thames and other historic city sites.

• Construction period: The current cathedral was built to Sir Christopher Wren's design after the Great Fire of London and was constructed between the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

What to See #

• Galleries and dome access: The dome and three galleries - the Whispering Gallery, Stone Gallery and Golden Gallery - which provide different interior perspectives and city views reached by a staircase.
• Crypt: The crypt, which contains memorials and burials of notable British figures including military leaders and the cathedral's architect.