St. Paul's Cathedral, London (must see)
For centuries, Saint Paul's Cathedral has stood tall, quite literally, as London鈥檚 ultimate comeback story in stone form. After the Great Fire of 1666 turned the medieval cathedral (originally founded in 1087) into a smoldering memory, Sir Christopher Wren got the challenge of designing the masterpiece we see today.
Construction began in 1675 and took 35 years. Wren鈥檚 first design was too modern. The second鈥攖oo modern again and too Catholic-looking. He eventually struck a deal with the Anglican clergy: throw in a classic English spire, but sneak in a magnificent triple-stacked dome instead. Now it鈥檚 the second-largest cathedral dome in the world after St. Peter鈥檚 in Rome. Subtle flex.
During WWII and the Blitz, flames again came for the cathedral, and again, it stood its ground. Brave volunteers fought fires on the dome, saving it from complete destruction. Saint Paul鈥檚 became a beacon of hope in the rubble. Fittingly, above the south entrance, you鈥檒l spot the Latin word "Resurgam," meaning 鈥淚 shall rise again.鈥� Very on brand.
Inside, the cathedral is pure English Baroque drama. Climb 257 steps to the Whispering Gallery, where even your gossip echoes in style. Add another 119 steps for the Stone Gallery and 152 more for the Golden Gallery鈥攂ecause apparently, stairs build character. But the panoramic views of London are worth every calf cramp.
Down below in the crypt, you鈥檒l find the final resting places of national legends: the Duke of Wellington, Admiral Nelson, and of course, Wren himself. His epitaph reads: 鈥淚f you seek his monument, look around you.鈥�
Saint Paul鈥檚 was basically Dickens' favorite rooftop. In Master Humphrey鈥檚 Clock, he climbs to the top for a bird鈥檚 eye view of life鈥檚 contradictions, which, come to think of it, London is full of. In David Copperfield, Peggotty enjoys the view too. Dickens knew this neighborhood well and even attended the Duke of Wellington鈥檚 funeral here in 1852.
Back in Shakespeare鈥檚 day, the area around Saint Paul鈥檚 was bustling with booksellers. This was the epicenter of the English publishing world鈥� the Bard鈥檚 plays were printed and sold right here. Odds are he browsed the stalls himself, possibly muttering, 鈥淭o plagiarize, or not to plagiarize...鈥�
And for the modern-day wizarding crowd: yes, that staircase you recognize from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is real. The magical-looking Geometric Staircase鈥攁ka the Dean鈥檚 Stair鈥攆loats elegantly in the cathedral鈥檚 South West Bell Tower. You might remember it from Professor Trelawney鈥檚 Divination class or The Goblet of Fire. You鈥檒l need a ticket to see it, but for Potterheads, it鈥檚 practically a rite of passage.
Tip:
Book online to skip the queue. And maybe spring for the audio tour鈥攗nless you鈥檝e got me in your ear, of course.
Construction began in 1675 and took 35 years. Wren鈥檚 first design was too modern. The second鈥攖oo modern again and too Catholic-looking. He eventually struck a deal with the Anglican clergy: throw in a classic English spire, but sneak in a magnificent triple-stacked dome instead. Now it鈥檚 the second-largest cathedral dome in the world after St. Peter鈥檚 in Rome. Subtle flex.
During WWII and the Blitz, flames again came for the cathedral, and again, it stood its ground. Brave volunteers fought fires on the dome, saving it from complete destruction. Saint Paul鈥檚 became a beacon of hope in the rubble. Fittingly, above the south entrance, you鈥檒l spot the Latin word "Resurgam," meaning 鈥淚 shall rise again.鈥� Very on brand.
Inside, the cathedral is pure English Baroque drama. Climb 257 steps to the Whispering Gallery, where even your gossip echoes in style. Add another 119 steps for the Stone Gallery and 152 more for the Golden Gallery鈥攂ecause apparently, stairs build character. But the panoramic views of London are worth every calf cramp.
Down below in the crypt, you鈥檒l find the final resting places of national legends: the Duke of Wellington, Admiral Nelson, and of course, Wren himself. His epitaph reads: 鈥淚f you seek his monument, look around you.鈥�
Saint Paul鈥檚 was basically Dickens' favorite rooftop. In Master Humphrey鈥檚 Clock, he climbs to the top for a bird鈥檚 eye view of life鈥檚 contradictions, which, come to think of it, London is full of. In David Copperfield, Peggotty enjoys the view too. Dickens knew this neighborhood well and even attended the Duke of Wellington鈥檚 funeral here in 1852.
Back in Shakespeare鈥檚 day, the area around Saint Paul鈥檚 was bustling with booksellers. This was the epicenter of the English publishing world鈥� the Bard鈥檚 plays were printed and sold right here. Odds are he browsed the stalls himself, possibly muttering, 鈥淭o plagiarize, or not to plagiarize...鈥�
And for the modern-day wizarding crowd: yes, that staircase you recognize from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is real. The magical-looking Geometric Staircase鈥攁ka the Dean鈥檚 Stair鈥攆loats elegantly in the cathedral鈥檚 South West Bell Tower. You might remember it from Professor Trelawney鈥檚 Divination class or The Goblet of Fire. You鈥檒l need a ticket to see it, but for Potterheads, it鈥檚 practically a rite of passage.
Tip:
Book online to skip the queue. And maybe spring for the audio tour鈥攗nless you鈥檝e got me in your ear, of course.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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St. Paul's Cathedral on Map
Sight Name: St. Paul's Cathedral
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
Create Your Own Walk in London
Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Shakespeare's London Walking Tour
You might know him as 鈥渢he Bard,鈥� but to England, William Shakespeare is practically the patron saint of poetic plot twists. Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon to John Shakespeare, a glove maker and town official, and Mary Arden from a prosperous farming family, young William started life with ink in his veins and Latin on his mind. Grammar school likely gave him his first taste of rhetoric.... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Covent Garden Walking Tour
A shopping and entertainment hub on the eastern fringes of London's West End, Covent Garden is a district historically associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market 鈥� currently a shopping spot popular with locals and tourists alike.
Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Once a slum area, today the north of the district is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials. Both places offer... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Bridges of London
Around thirty bridges span the Thames river in London, each with its own story. Our self-guided walk takes you to see nine such historical structures located in the heart of the city, starting from the storied Westminster Bridge and ending at the iconic Tower Bridge.
The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
London's Historic Pubs Walk
If there鈥檚 any more iconic symbol for London than Big Ben or the London Eye, then it must be the traditional English pub. And London sure is full of them, dating from pre-Victorian times to just about five minutes ago.
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
Jane Austen鈥檚 London
The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham鈥檚 elopement in 鈥淧ride & Prejudice.鈥�
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Walk around Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, the British monarch's official residence, is a must-see for anyone visiting London, but so are the adjacent royal establishments that give a unique window into the royal way of life. On this self-guided walking tour, along with Buckingham Palace and its memorable fountain, you will visit the St. James's private royal residence, the wonderful Queen's Gallery, and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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