FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to some common questions
Transportation
Preparation
On the Day
Transportation
HOW DO WE GET TO ST PAUL’S
St. Paul’s tube station is in Zone 1 on the Central Line and is less than a 5 minute walk from the Cathedral. Mansion House, Blackfriars and Bank are also close by.
The nearest train stations are City Thameslink and Blackfriars. London Bridge is a 20 minute walk.
Directly outside the Cathedral you can catch the following buses: 4, 11, 15, 23, 26, 100. From Newgate Street you can catch the 242, 25.
You can plan your journey at https://www.tfl.gov.uk/
There is coach parking on Angel Street and St Martin’s Le Grand. You can find more details at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/parking/coach-parking
Preparation
Yes. For Guided and Virtual Visits you need to book at least 2 weeks in advance, however we advise booking well in advance as we can get very busy, especially in the summer months.
The Cathedral is open 08.30 to 16.30 Monday to Saturday. Guided Visits are bookable Monday to Friday during term time, at 10.30 and 13.00 only. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your allocated slot. If you are more than 30 minutes late we cannot guarantee that we will be able to guide your group and you may have to self-guide. On Sundays the Cathedral is open for worship and private prayer only.
Yes. When you make a booking we will send you a sample Risk Assessment Form. We strongly recommend that the member of staff organising the visit makes a preparation visit to the Cathedral in order to carry out their own risk assessment. This should include the journey to and from the Cathedral. Once you have made a school booking you can book your free risk assessment visit through us. You will need to bring your teacher ID with you on the day, and any accompanying guests will have to purchase a ticket. Risk assessments are your responsibility.
No, you will be invoiced by us when we confirm your booking.
Every day at 12.30 Holy Communion is celebrated. During this time, access to the dome area is limited. The service lasts about 30 minutes. Evensong is at 17.00 every day. You are very welcome to attend either service. All visitors on the Cathedral floor are asked to be quiet for the Lord’s Prayer which is said every hour on the hour.
Schools from outside of the UK are very welcome to visit St Paul’s Cathedral but will need to book via the Admissions Department by calling +44 (0) 207 246 8357 or emailing admissions@stpaulscathedral.org.uk. For general admission rates please click here. Prices include access to the Dome & Galleries as well as use of our multi-media guides which are available in 9 languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean. More information is available here. If you are a non-UK school but are following a UK curriculum and would like a Guided or Virtual Visit please contact us to discuss on +44 (0) 207 246 8353 or by emailing learning@stpaulscathedral.org.uk
On the Day
Please refer to your confirmation email. Entrance for Guided groups is via the North Crypt Entrance and you will be met inside at the Crypt Stewards’ desk. Self-Guided groups enter via the Main Entrance. Bags will be checked by our security team at both entrances. Our accessible entrance is on the south side of the Cathedral.
The Education Centre is wheelchair accessible, as is the crypt and Cathedral floor. We regret that it is not possible to take wheelchairs, or people with walking difficulties up to the Dome & Galleries since there is no public lift. Guided groups can book our Access to Learning Packs – more information is available here https://www.stpauls.co.uk/learning-faith/schools-families/access-and-send Please inform us of any special or additional needs when you book.
There are public toilets in the crypt which you can use when you arrive.
Yes. Photography is allowed inside the Cathedral although we ask that you don’t use tripods or gather for large group photographs inside.
Only schools booked on the 10.30 Guided Visit can eat packed lunches in the Cathedral, either in the classroom or in the crypt. If you are a 10.30 Guided group you will be informed about where to eat your lunch on the day of your visit. Unfortunately, due to health & safety/overcrowding concerns, all other groups are not permitted to eat lunches in the Cathedral. In good weather you can picnic in the garden.
Upon arrival schools on Guided Visits will be brought to the Education Centre and can leave their bags/coats in the cloakroom. Self-Guided groups will have to bring their belongings with them.
Yes. The Cathedral Crypt shop stocks a full range of postcards and gifts. Alternatively groups can order gift packs, in advance, from the Schools & Family Learning Department. These will be given to you on the day. Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing a gift pack.