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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.