St Paul's is the nation's favourite cathedral.

Sir Christopher Wren conceived it as a rival to the great churches of Rome, albeit in a simpler, Protestant style.

Today's cathedral was built after the Great Fire of London in 1666, and is the fourth place of worship to be built on the site.

A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has existed in the City of London since 604AD.

There was also an earlier Roman Pagan temple built to honour the goddess Diana in the 1st Century AD on the very same spot.

The old Gothic cathedral with its towering spire was destroyed in the Great Fire, and its ambitious successor was to take 30 years of building.

The current cathedral was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710.

Wren's original St Paul's was relatively austere, but the Victorians added extra decoration and embellishment.

The cathedral's dome houses the great lantern, and there are amazing views from the top.

St Paul's Cathedral Facts

address: St Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD.
tel: 020 7236 4128/7246 8350
fax: 020 7248 3104
email: chapter@stpaulscathedral.org.uk
prices: Adults £9: Concessions £8: Children £3.50. Family tickets available.
open: The Cathedral is open to sightseers from Monday-Saturday 8.30am-4pm. Special services/events may close the Cathedral on occasions.
access: Disabled access from Newgate Street. Ramps for wheelchair users allow access to virtually the whole cathedral. Induction loop. Disabled toilet.
transport: Nearest Underground is St Paul's on the Central Line - five minutes walk from the Cathedral. For more information on public transport call London Transport Travel Information on 020 7222 1234.
toilets: Yes
shop: Yes

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