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Stories from St Paul's
Discover over a thousand years of history with our podcast series Stories from St Paul’s, produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.
Our episodes so far have explored the ghosts rumoured to walk our floors, the films we’ve featured in and the many famous figures whose funerals have been held in our building. Listen to the podcasts below or listen and subscribe via SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Series eight
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History podcast
There are crypts, and then there are crypts. The largest crypt in Europe is none other than our very own here at St Paul's. But what is a crypt for, and why is ours so unique? Discover the answers in the very first episode of our new podcast series. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Today’s podcast episode is all about the Great Model hiding up in our Triforium. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren to demonstrate his plans for the new Cathedral to King Charles II, the Great Model is a fascinating insight into what St Paul’s might have looked like. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Did you know our current Cathedral is the fifth Cathedral on the site? Before today's building, there was Old St Paul's, a magnificent medieval cathedral with an enormous spire. Take a trip into St Paul's past and present with today's podcast episode all about the medieval Cathedral's birth, life and dramatic end. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
In this episode, we take a closer look at the life and legacy of Josefina de Vasconcellos, the remarkable sculptor responsible for 'Mary and Child' which can be found in the Crypt. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Looking up under our iconic Dome, you'll see eight incredible murals by artist James Thornhill. Painted in monochrome to give the illlusion of sculptural relief, the murals depict eight scenes from the life of St Paul. Find out more about Thornhill and his lasting legacy on what is perhaps the most photographed part of the Cathedral in this episode. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
Series seven
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History podcast
The bells of St Paul’s are a sound familiar to many who find themselves in the City of London, and the stories behind them reflect our rich history. Great Paul, Great Tom, the clock bells, the 12 change ringing bells, and the service bell – find out about them all in this podcast episode. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Autumn 2024 will see one of the most significant pieces of art in our collection back on display inside St Paul’s following a period of conservation work: William Holman Hunt’s The Light of the World. Discover the story behind this beloved and well-travelled painting in this podcast episode. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
‘Remember, remember, the 5th of November: Gunpowder, treason and plot.’ The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 is synonymous with the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, but the fates of some of the conspirators are inextricably linked to St Paul’s. Find out how in this podcast episode. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Found in the Cathedral every festive season is the St Paul’s nativity scene. Discover its very special story which begins in 1989, when former Master Carver Tony Webb and assistant Hannah Hartwell got to work on a new crib – one that has been seen and enjoyed ever since. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
When is a cathedral not a cathedral? Answer: When it might also be the venue for a grand scientific experiment! Explore Sir Christopher Wren's vision - and whether is came to pass - in this, the strange tale of the telescope in the tower. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Did you know that world famous poet and writer, Walter de la Mare was a one-time Chorister of St Paul’s? Born in Charlton, South London, in 1873, de la Mare attended the Cathedral School from the age of 10 to 16. Find out more about his life, and how St Paul’s may have shaped his literary work. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Edith Cavell was a nurse who became a symbol of courage around the world. In 1915, she was executed for helping Allied soldiers escape - an act that shook many around the world. In the wake of her death, hundreds of nurses and mourners gathered at St Paul’s to honour her, and her legacy continues to inspire today. Hear more about her extraordinary life in our latest episode. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Who was Grinling Gibbons? Not just a man with a fantastic name, but also the master carver behind the incredible carvings around the Cathedral, including those in the Quire stalls and the floral garlands on the North exterior of the building. Find out more about his life and his contributions to St Paul’s, as well as how they’ve evolved over time through numerous restoration projects, in today’s podcast episode. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
Series six
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History podcast
In September 1666, five days would change the history and future of London - and St Paul's Cathedral - forever: The Great Fire of London. This episode explores what happened during this catastrophic fire - and just what came next. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Undoubtedly one of the greatest in a pantheon of great Scots is Sir Alexander Fleming, whose discovery of penicillin in 1928 revolutionised medicine, and has saved millions of lives. Today, a memorial plaque in the Crypt of St Paul’s marks the place where his ashes were laid to rest. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Christmas at St Paul’s in 1940 was as normal as it could be, considering it was wartime. This, however, would all change on the night of the 29th December during a bombing raid of the city. This was the time when one of the most famous photographs of the Second World War was taken – one of St Paul’s appearing through the smoke of the surrounding fires. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
John Donne is one of England’s greatest poets and preachers, famed for lines such as, ‘No man is an island…’ and ‘...never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.’ He is also a former Dean of St Paul’s, and certainly one who lived many lives in one lifetime. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
On the 7th May 1913, the Suffragettes brought the fight for women’s votes to St Paul’s, when a plot to blow up the Bishop’s throne was narrowly foiled – after a Virger found the ticking bomb at the Cathedral’s east end. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
When St Paul’s was constructed under the stewardship of Sir Christopher Wren, it was by a male dominated workforce – almost exclusively male – except for one woman: Jane Brewer, who cast and polished the golden pineapple found on the Cathedral’s south west tower. Find out more about Jane, and the curious pineapple architectural details to be found all over London! This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral for 33 years, John Collins was a remarkable priest and social reformer who was one of the world's leading proponents in the causes of justice, freedom and peace. Discover more about Collins’ life, work and activism in this podcast episode. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
Series five
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History podcast
As we prepare to open a new exhibition to mark the 300th anniversary of his death, it seems an apt time to ask, who was Sir Christopher Wren? He was an astronomer, scientist and geometrician – but later in life would become known as the greatest architect of his time. This episode explores Wren’s life, work, legacy – and impressive body of work. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Christopher Wren: The Quest for Knowledge is a special exhibition opening on the 27th April at St Paul's. It explores the life and work of Wren through archive material and personal artefacts. Discover more about this new exhibition, included with sightseeing admission, and then come and visit for yourself! This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
2023 sees the first coronation of a British monarch in 71 years – His Majesty King Charles III. 2023 is also the 300th anniversary of Christopher Wren’s death, and in this podcast episode we explore his long standing and sometimes surprising royal – and coronation – connections. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
It’s certainly accurate to say our Geometric Staircase is iconic; an architectural jewel and a source of curiosity, wonder and fascination. Its official name is the Dean’s Staircase, and it has featured in a number of films over the years, such as Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, too. Discover the science behind its remarkable design in this podcast episode. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Sir Christopher Wren is known as one of the greatest architects of all time, but his own first love was actually science. His scientific achievements are as varied as they are numerous, ranging from meteorology, physics, astronomy and physiology. Content warning: This podcast contains references to miscarriage, medical procedures and execution, which some may find distressing. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
For all of his undisputed genius, even Sir Christopher Wren was fortunate enough to be blessed with some architectural good fortune; the greatest would become one of the best-known spaces inside St Paul’s Cathedral: the Whispering Gallery. Explore the science and story behind the Gallery, 257 steps up inside the Dome of the Cathedral. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
Series four
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History podcast
Artist and mosaicist William Blake Richmond had been in discussions about the interior decoration of the Cathedral since 1874, but it wasn’t until 1890 that he had developed a scheme of designs for the ceilings of the Quire and Apse. Discover the inspiration and story of the mosaics that transformed the spaces they adorn with sparkling, vibrant colour. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
In the Crypt of St Paul’s can be found a memorial to Florence Nightingale by artist Arthur George Walker. Depicted tending to a wounded soldier, the words inscribed above read, ‘Blessed are the merciful.’ Discover more about Nightingale’s life and work in nursing reform, as well as a pioneering statistician, and her legacy as the founder of modern nursing. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
St Paul’s at Christmas: Is there any better place to enjoy the festive season? In 1924, you may have been forgiven for answering – perhaps. Alarmingly on Christmas Eve of that year, the Cathedral was served with a Dangerous Structures Notice amid fears the Dome might collapse. Discover what happened that fateful Christmas, and the scale of the project that became known as the Great Restoration. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
What may come as a surprise to some is the fact that St Paul's has its very own Library, which will be reopening in spring 2023 following a four-year conservation and restoration project – the very first in its history. Discover our Library’s fascinating history and just some of the treasures it contains. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
Series three
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History podcast
To mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, our new exhibition Jubilee: St Paul’s the Monarch and the Changing World explores the vital role the Cathedral has played in the Jubilee celebrations of British monarchs throughout history – George III, Victoria, George V and Elizabeth II. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
In this podcast episode to mark HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, we explore Services of Thanksgiving from The Queen’s Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees, and the role St Paul’s has played in them all - including in 2022. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Find out all about the Silver Jubilee of King George V in May 1935 in this podcast episode in our Stories from St Paul’s series. It was the first ever Silver Jubilee to be celebrated by a British monarch, and the celebrations began with a special Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s on the 6th May. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
On the 22nd June 1897, a Service of Thanksgiving was held at St Paul’s for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. However, because of the Queen’s frail health, it was not held inside the Cathedral, but outside at the foot of the West steps. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
In this final episode in our Royal Jubilee series, we explore the Jubilee of King George III in 1809. Discover these celebrations as well as our silver screen connection to the monarch. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
Series two
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History podcast
In this first episode of Season 2, discover more about American pilot Billy Fiske, who died in the Battle of Britain and is memorialised at St Paul's. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Have you ever heard the strange architectural tale which connects St Paul’s Cathedral with Colborne Lodge in High Park, Toronto? Discover the story of shipwreck, salvage and the re-purposing of railings in this Stories from St Paul’s podcast. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Tourism is vital to the upkeep of St Paul's, but it might surprise you to learn that sightseeing tickets are not a recent occurrence – but in fact, 1709, whilst the Cathedral was still in its final stages of construction. Find out more about the history of tourism at St Paul’s, and how it has long been a part of our story. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
St Paul’s Cathedral is a magical place all year round, but perhaps during the Christmas, just a little bit more so. It’s also a very busy time of year, with an array of services and events. In this festive edition of our podcast, discover more about our choral and Christmas traditions. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
The Artists’ Corner in the Crypt of St Paul’s is not just a final resting place for some of the world’s greatest artists, it is also somewhere where one can be inspired by the exceptional art made by those buried and remembered there; whose work continues to transcend time, and is not just relevant for today, but always. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
The wonder of St Paul’s is famous the world over, but what about the hidden St Paul’s? Some, like our trophy room, can be visited during our weekly Triforium tours, high above the Cathedral Floor. Get a glimpse into these hidden areas in this episode. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
This is the story of one small book, a book that would become known as the most dangerous book in England: Priest and scholar William Tyndale’s New Testament. Discover how this work, held in the St Paul’s Library, challenged established religious and political power and authority. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
Series one
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History podcast
In the first episode of Stories from St Paul’s, learn about the ‘other’ Royal wedding to take place at the Cathedral and the events that followed which changed the course of English history. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Whilst many believe St Paul's emerged from the Blitz unscathed, this was not quite the case. Discover the story of the skilled and dedicated volunteers behind its survival and how their legacy continues today. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Unsurprisingly, for a place with such a long history, St Paul's Cathedral is no stranger to mysterious and unexplained sights and sounds. In this podcast episode, discover some of the Cathedral's spectral stories and sightings. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Discover the work of the Cathedral’s Collections team in association with the London Metropolitan Archives, who together delved into Wren’s working practices with architectural historian Dr Gordon Higgott. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
In 1964, Martin Luther King travelled from the USA to Norway to collect the Nobel Peace Prize – with one important stop – accepting an invitation to preach at St Paul’s Cathedral by Canon John Collins. Find out about this important, historic event in the latest episode of our podcast series. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Of all the cathedrals in all the towns in all the world, have any been depicted as many times on the big screen as St Paul’s? Grab your tickets and popcorn and come with us to the movies. Excerpts from Paddington 2 courtesy of STUDIOCANAL. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
JMW Turner is remembered in St Paul's 'Artist Corner', and his works are etched in the national psyche. Discover more about his extraordinary artistic output and enduring legacy, including paintings depicting St Paul’s itself. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Who was St Paul? Find out more about the saint to which our iconic Cathedral is dedicated: his life, ministry and legacy, in this latest episode in our Stories from St Paul’s podcast. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Actor, singer and political activist Paul Robeson’s career spanned over 40 years, in theatre and film. On 12th October 1958, he sang and read the Lesson at St Paul’s Cathedral to huge crowds – the first Black person to do so. Find out more about Robeson’s activism and artistry. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
Admiral Horatio Nelson and Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington are forever associated with their most famous military battles. Perhaps surprisingly, the two men only met once briefly in 1805, but in death they have lain at rest beside each other for over 150 years in the Crypt of St Paul’s. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
St Paul’s Cathedral is a place of worship and a tourist destination, but it’s also a place to experience and enjoy art in many mediums from different time periods, created by an array of talented artists and craftspeople. Discover the many facets to the art on display in St Paul’s. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
St Paul’s has a long association with the American people, formed largely after the Second World War, a conflict in which thousands of Americans based in the UK were to give their lives. The most striking reminder of this sacrifice can be found at the very East end of the Cathedral: The American Memorial Chapel. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
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History podcast
The state funeral of former Prime Minister and wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill took place at St Paul’s on the 30th January 1965. Churchill’s connection to the Cathedral began some years earlier, however, when he wrote of his admiration for Sir Christopher Wren’s designs in his book, History of the English Speaking Peoples – and became intrinsically linked as symbols of resilience and resistance during the Second World War. This podcast is produced and presented by Douglas Anderson. View all our Stories from St Paul's podcasts.
More on our history
Discover St Paul's turbulent history and the rare artefacts that help to tell its stories.
From our consecration to 21st century, chart the history of St Paul's and see which events – and people – helped create the Cathedral as it is today.
Our Collections department take care of our archives, library and objects – each collection featuring some remarkable historical artefacts.