St Paul’s Cathedral

The famous Cathedral of the Diocese of London dates from the late 17th century when Sir Christopher Wren’s English baroque design formed part of the rebuilding of the city after the Great Fire of London.

St Paul’s is built in the shape of a cross, with a large dome crowning the intersection of its arms, and has become one of the most iconic buildings in Britain.

At 111 metres high, St Paul’s was the tallest building in London until 1962, and its dome is among the highest in the world. St Paul’s is the UK’s second largest church building after Liverpool Cathedral.

Images of the dome surrounded by the smoke of the Blitz have become symbolic of the nation’s steadfastness in the Second World War. It has been the venue of the funerals of Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill; services marking the end of the First and Second World Wars; and the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.

Highlights of visits include the breathtaking view along the nave on entering the cathedral and a tour of the crypt beneath the church, where visitors also have the chance to view a 270° film about the cathedral’s history.

The most memorable part of the cathedral however, is ascending the dome. The Stone Gallery runs around the outside, the Whispering Gallery around the inside. Its name comes from the acoustic feature peculiar to domes: a whisper against its wall can be heard by a listener with an ear against the wall at any other point around the gallery.

St Paul’s Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD

Tel: 020 7246 8357. www.stpauls.co.uk

Words: Vicky Sartain