London: St Paul's Cathedral Entry Ticket & Dome Access

Summary

Climb the dome, wander mosaics and pause in London’s history

You’ll step into St Paul’s Cathedral and feel centuries layered around you — from mosaic floors to golden views atop the dome. Climb spiral stairs, listen for whispers in the gallery, and pause by famous tombs in the crypt. With included multimedia guides or volunteer-led talks, every corner feels personal — especially when sunlight hits those painted ceilings just right.

What’s the experience like?

It started with a smile from the lady at the ticket desk — she asked if we’d like a multimedia guide or to join a real tour. I hesitated (I always do), but we grabbed the little device. The cathedral felt quieter than I expected, even though there were people everywhere. There’s this smell — old stone and candle wax, sort of dusty but not unpleasant. Our guide (well, one of the volunteers) waved us over for a welcome talk, and I ended up learning more about Sir Christopher Wren’s obsession with domes than I ever thought possible. She joked that he would’ve hated the pigeons outside.

I didn’t realize how much climbing was involved if you want to reach the top galleries — first the Whispering Gallery (where we tried whispering across, and it actually worked), then up narrow stone stairs to the Stone Gallery. My legs were burning by the time we reached the Golden Gallery, but honestly? The view over London is wild. You can see everything — Tower Bridge, little red buses crawling along below. Wind whistling up there too; I almost lost my hat. Some guy next to me just stood quietly for ages, looking out like he was somewhere else entirely.

The crypt downstairs is colder and darker, with memorials everywhere — Nelson, Wellington, Churchill. It’s strange seeing all these names you learned about in school right there in front of you. There was a group of French tourists reading out names; their voices echoed off the stone arches. We wandered until our feet hurt and then sat on one of those wooden benches under stained glass light. Still thinking about that echo in the dome — it sticks with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit St Paul's Cathedral and Dome

• Enter St Paul's Cathedral
• Explore Cathedral Floor artworks
• Climb to Whispering Gallery
• Climb to Stone Gallery
• Climb to Golden Gallery
• Enjoy panoramic London views
• Descend to the Crypt
• See tombs of British heroes
• Use multimedia guides
• Join guided tours on arrival

Top questions

Is entry to St Paul's Cathedral wheelchair accessible?

Yes, entry is accessible for wheelchair users and there is step-free access between the Cathedral Floor and Crypt. Dome Galleries are only accessible via stairs.

How long does a typical visit to St Paul's Cathedral take?

The average visit lasts about two hours.

Are guided tours included with admission?

Yes, guided tours and welcome talks are included at no extra cost; register on arrival as places are limited.

Can I use a multimedia guide during my visit?

Yes, multimedia guides are included in nine languages for adults and families.

Is photography allowed inside St Paul's Cathedral?

Personal non-flash photography is permitted except on the Whispering Gallery.

Are large bags allowed inside?

No bags or items larger than 45cm x 30cm x 25cm are allowed inside.

Do I need to book an entry timeslot in advance?

No pre-booked timeslot is needed; exchange your voucher at admission on arrival.

Can children climb to all levels of the dome?

Child ticket holders must be accompanied by an adult when accessing Dome Galleries.

What’s included

Your ticket includes access to all five levels of St Paul’s Cathedral: cathedral floor, three dome galleries (Whispering Gallery, Stone Gallery, Golden Gallery), and crypt. Multimedia guides are available in nine languages for both adults and families. You can also join volunteer-led guided tours or welcome talks at no extra cost by registering when you arrive at the cathedral.