St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's is London's cathedral and embodies the spiritual life and heritage of the British people.

A cathedral houses the seat - Latin, cathedra - of the bishop, making it a centre for Christian worship and teaching and the Christian mission.

St Paul's acts as an important meeting place for people and ideas, as a centre for the arts, learning and public debate, and has been so since the 1700s.

The present building is the fifth cathedral to have stood on the site since 604, built between 1675 and 1710, after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London.

The view of St Paul's from many parts of the capital is protected in law, as it is such an iconic and essential element of the London landscape.

Sandy Nairne worked with VocalEyes Describer Kirstin Smith on the description of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Sandy Nairne

Sandy Nairne is currently Director of the National Portrait Gallery.  He was Director: Programmes at Tate for eight years, and has worked previously as Assistant Director, Museum of Modern Art, Oxford, Director of Exhibitions at the ICA and Director of Visual Arts for the Arts Council of Great Britain.  He is Chair of the Fabric Advisory Committee of St Paul's Cathedral.  Sandy has lectured widely and chaired numerous conferences and seminars in Britain and abroad.  His most recent books are The Portrait Now, National Portrait Gallery, 2006, and Art Theft and the Case of the Stolen Turners, Reaktion, 2011.

Directions, Access and Additional Information

Exit St Paul’s tube station and turn left down a pedestrian road; the side of the Cathedral will be in front of you. Continue forward into St Paul’s Churchyard and follow the path round the end of the Cathedral passing St Paul’s Cathedral School on the left.  Continue forward and follow the pathway round the Cathedral and turn right at the junction of the paths.  The south entrance is on your right.

The Cathedral has two entrances – the west end which is accessed by 24 steps and the south entrance which is step free.  Audio described guides are included in the cost of admission and a guided touch tour can be booked in advance through the Admissions Department on 020 7246 8357 or email admissions@stpaulscathedral.org.uk.

Opening times:
Monday to Saturday 8.30am - 4pm (for sightseeing)
Sunday open for worship only

Parking - On-street parking is very restricted in the streets but there is a public car park on Queen Victoria Street to the south of the Cathedral.