Explore the Dome

Explore the Dome and the breathtaking views from the Golden Gallery with our Virtual Tour

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The Dome

The iconic dome of St Paul's, rising 365 feet above the City of London, is one of the largest in the world. Situated at the heart of the building, the space underneath the dome is now used as the principal place of worship in the cathdral. One of the most awe-inspiring sights in St Paul's is gazing up into the dome from the floor below. From there you can enjoy the exquisite grisaille mursal created by court painter Sir James Thornhill that feature scenes from the life of St Paul. Paul's is built in the shape of a cross, with the dome crowning the intersection of the arms. It is one of the largest Cathedral domes in the world, 111.3 metres high. It weighs approximately 65,000 tonnes and is supported by eight pillars. Between the arches of the inner dome are mosaics of prophets and saints, which were installed between 1864 and 1888. The murals in the dome were created between 1715 and 1719 by court painter Sir James Thornhill and feature scenes from the life of St Paul.

Did you know?
St Paul's actually has three domes, an inner dome, a brick cone that supports the lantern, and the outer dome 'skin'. The inner dome is 225 ft high with a diameter of 102 ft. The whole structure weights 64,000 tonnes.

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The Whispering Gallery

Climb 259 steps up the dome and you will find The Whispering Gallery, which runs around the interior of the Dome. It gets its name from a charming quirk in its construction, which makes a whisper against its walls audible on the opposite side.

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The Stone Gallery

The Stone Gallery is the first of two galleries above the Whispering Gallery that encircle the outside of the dome. The Stone Gallery stands at 173 ft (53.4 metres) from ground-level and can be reached by 378 steps.

Did you know?
While the Dome and galleries were being built, Wren was hauled up and down in a basket at least once a week to inspect the work in progress. He was 76 by the time this work was completed in 1708 and he watched as his son placed the last stone in position.

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The Golden Gallery

The Golden Gallery is the smallest of the galleries and runs around the highest point of the outer dome, 280ft (85.4 metres) Visitors that climb the 530 steps to this gallery will be treated to panoramic views of London that take in the River Thames, Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

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The Ball and Lantern

The original ball and cross were erected by Andrew Niblett, Citizen and Armourer of London, in 1708. They were replaced by a new ball and cross in 1821 designed by the Surveyor to the Fabric, CR Cockerell and executed by R and E Kepp. The ball and cross stand at 23 feet high and weigh approximately 7 tonnes.

Did you know?
The golden ball on the top of the dome is six feet in diameter and has room inside for ten people!

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