Lift out of action

Our lift is currently out of action and awaiting repair. We're working hard to get it back up and running as soon as possible, but at the moment, access to the Crypt and accessible toilet is only possible via steps. Visitors who need an accessible toilet can use the facilities located in nearby Paternoster Square. 

Lift out of action

Our tours

Get to know the fascinating figures in our history – and the story of how the Cathedral was built – with our guided and self-guided tours. 

A guided tour is the best way to connect with our Cathedral. Led by our expert guides, each one will take you on a journey through our rich history, highlighting the lesser-known characters in our past, and even giving you a chance to explore parts of the Cathedral typically inaccessible to the public.

A tour group listens to a guide in the Quire.

Guided tours

Highlights tour

Price: Free for ticket holders

Length: 20 – 30 minutes

How to book: On the day, subject to availability – ask at the Guiding Desk

When: Monday to Saturday at various times usually between 11am and 3pm.

This short introduction to the history and architecture of the Cathedral is perfect for visitors looking for a quick overview of what to explore.

Cathedral floor and Crypt tour

For individuals

Price: Free for ticket holders

Length: approximately 90 minutes

How to book: On the day, subject to availability – ask at the Guiding Desk

When: Monday to Saturday at various times usually between 11am and 3pm.

Our more extensive Cathedral tour covers the Cathedral Floor and Crypt, as well as the Geometric Staircase and the Quire – areas not usually open to visitors.

For private tour groups

Price: £195 for up to 15 people, in addition to admission. Thereafter, £13 per person.

Length: approximately 90 minutes.

How to book: Contact the Sales and Ticketing team. 

When: Monday to Friday, 11:00am or 2:00pm.

Cathedral guides can be booked for the same Cathedral Floor and Crypt tour, but on a private basis for your group. We can accommodate up to 50 visitors for this tour and may provide more than one guide for larger groups.

Please get in touch with the Sales and Ticketing team at least one month in advance of your trip, so we can check availability as these tours must be pre-booked: admissions@stpaulscathedral.org.uk or 0207 246 8357.

Triforium tour

This tour takes visitors up to the Triforium and includes the Library, the Trophy Room and Great Model, as well as a spectacular view down from the top of the iconic Geometric Staircase* and another down the Nave from above the Great West Doors. It is a great option if you have been to St Paul's before and want to go behind the scenes to see more of the Cathedral.  

Although we aim to make our Cathedral as accessible as possible, the Triforium tour involves many flights of stairs and will unfortunately not be suitable for those in wheelchairs or with mobility issues. There are 141 steps to the Triforium level and the tour route includes several short flights of stairs, each no more than 10 steps. Please note that there are no seating areas on the tour, and we ask that tour participants stay together throughout.

This tour is ideally suited for those over the age of 12, and may not be suitable for pre-school age children.

*Please be aware that we are not able to allow visitors onto the stairs, or to film in this area. Visitors are able to take photos for personal and non-commercial use, but for privacy and security reasons, videography is not permitted on the tour - or in the rest of the Cathedral. If you are a digital content creator looking to film at St Paul's, please visit our filming and photography page for more information.

For individuals

Price: £16 per person in addition to admission.  

Length: 60 minutes.

How to book: Pre-book online with your tickets.

When: See our events calendar.

For private groups 

Price: £320 for up to 20 people, in addition to admission.  

Length: 60 minutes.

How to book: Contact the Sales and Ticketing team. 

When: Monday – Friday, 10:30am.

The Triforium tour can be given to a private group of a maximum of 20 people. As with our other private group tours, please contact the Sales and Ticketing team at least one month in advance of your trip, so we can check availability: admissions@stpaulscathedral.org.uk or 0207 246 8357.

Touch tours

Price: Free for ticket holders – and disabled visitors join us for free. 

Length: 2 hours.

How to book: Contact the Sales and Ticketing team.

When: Tours can be offered at 11:00am or 2:00pm, subject to availability. 

This interactive tour of the Cathedral Floor and Crypt is designed for people with visual impairments. Numbers are limited to 6 visitors plus additional places for an accompanying carer or companion per person – up to a maximum of 12 people. 

Pre-booking is essential – please contact the Sales and Ticketing team at least two weeks in advance of your trip to check availability and to reserve your places: admissions@stpaulscathedral.org.uk or 0207 246 8357.

guide group smiling welcome

Guided tours

If you’re short on time, we have a number of talks that last a maximum of 20 minutes. All our guided tours are provided in English – but if you’re not an English speaker, or want to explore the Cathedral at your own pace, we have multilingual audio guides available, too. 

Multimedia guides

If you would like to access a commentary on the Cathedral in a non-English language, or simply want to take your time, we have a series of multimedia guides that bring to life key objects and aspects of our building. Multimedia guides are included for ticket holders. 

General multimedia guides

Our multimedia guides come with a high-resolution touch screen, and include:

  • commentary in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean. 
  • fly-through footage of the Dome galleries and zoomable close-ups of Cathedral architecture
  • interviews and commentary from Cathedral experts, members of our congregation and figures from the past
  • archive film footage from the Cathedral's history.

Family multimedia guides

If you are bringing your family to the Cathedral, these guides will provide more activities and talking points for our younger visitors. They include:

  • commentary in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean
  • quizzes, activities and interactive games.

Audio description guides

Our audio description guides are designed for visitors with visual impairments, and encourage listeners to touch sculptures and carvings on the Cathedral floor. These guides also feature music from St Paul’s Cathedral Choir, and interviews and commentary from Cathedral experts.

British Sign Language guides

These guides feature video footage of BSL interpreters signing a commentary of the Cathedral floor, crypt and galleries, with subtitles. It includes a section on BSL services and activities at St Paul's Cathedral.

close up of multimedia guide
Cathedral shop

Books about St Paul's

Visit our shop to find a selection of fascinating books charting the history of our building and the stories behind our art and monuments. 

Visit the shop

More on sightseeing

A tour group listens to a guide in the Quire.

Group visits

For groups, we offer free tickets for leaders and guides, bookable private tours and special equipment to help you lead your own tour.
A visitor photographs the Dome.

Planning your visit

Find out everything you need to know to get the most out of your visit to St Paul’s, including opening times, ticket types and prices and what's on offer.

View looking at the Whispering Gallery

Booking tickets FAQ

Booking sightseeing tickets for the Cathedral? Here’s what you need to know.

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. 

Book now