About the Collections
About our Collections
Our Collections department take care of our archives, library and objects – each collection featuring some remarkable historical artefacts.
We look after a large group of archives, library and objects that together tell the story of our spiritual, architectural, artistic and social heritage.
Archives
Our Archives date from 1099AD to the present day, and include:
- minutes of the Dean and Chapter
- estate papers
- financial records
- records related to services and events
- rolls of honour and memorial books
- architectural drawings (including the Wren Office drawings and the drawings of F C Penrose)
- photographs
- personal papers of Cathedral clergy.
The Archives are stored at two locations: onsite at the Cathedral and at the London Metropolitan Archives. Please see our Accessing our Collections page for more details of how to access the Cathedral Archives.
Library
We look after a large collection of archive, library and objects that together tell the story of our spiritual, architectural, artistic and social heritage.
Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1708, our Library houses over 20,000 volumes of manuscripts and printed books and includes treasures such as:
- St Paul’s Psalter (1175),
- Henry VII Indenture (1504),
- William Tyndale’s New Testament (1526),
- William Dugdale’s History of St Paul’s (1658).
The Library is currently closed to access while it undergoes major conservation treatment. We will reopen in Spring 2022.
Objects
Our hugely rich and varied collection of Objects reflect the life and work of the Cathedral, and includes:
- medieval stonework from Old St Paul’s
- architectural models including Wren’s Great Model of 1674
- exquisite wood carvings by Grinling Gibbons
- monuments to Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington
- artworks such as William Holman Hunt’s The Light of the World
- textiles including the Jubilee Cope.
More on our Collections
Book your tickets
On our booking page, you'll find information about our various sightseeing tickets, including what discounts are available for families, groups, concessions and more.