Hi All,
is it true that St Paul's Cathedral has free entry after 4pm? but we'd only have 30minutes before its closing time to explore the church. the thing is i couldn't fathom their hefty entrance ticket (not included the trip to the dome) we could spend nearly GBP40 for the whole visit?! i think this is one of the most expensive church around.
i also read that we could attend the mass for free but the timing of the Masses won't fit my visiting time.
any info on this?
cheers
jen
It isn't free. You need to have your paid for tickets before they close the ticket sale.
They do say it us for upkeep but the price has escalated somewhat rapidly - it was around £12.50 about 5 years ago and general inflation has been low over that period. Westminster Abbey has broadly done the same. Westminster Cathedral is still free I think.
The St Pauls fee is valid for a year if gift-aided but this is only really of use if you are a UK resident.
If you are a little persistent you should be admitted for religious reasons for free but that wouldn't cover the 'extra' parts.
It is true that you can attend Mass or Evensong for free. We did so last Monday. Of course, they pass a collection plate during the service and photography of any sort is prohibited. But for a pound for the postcards and a 5gbp donation in the plate, these two heathens got to listen to the choir and look at the lovely architecture while sitting in our seats and got exactly the right amount of St Pauls interior.
Hi All,
actually i'm just aware of St. Paul's Cathedral after reading that it's the venue of Charles and Diana's wedding. it's chosen due to its more grandeur setting compared to Westminster's Abbey. so honestly for that very particular reason, i'm really interested in seeing the architectural inside. i actually think the dome is very interesting one as well but boy , the number of stairs. i think me and hubby would get crammed halfway :D pardon my post before, the admission does include the visit to the dome (reading one's review could be really biased sometimes). there's only 1 review that says free entry after 4pm (only until 4.30 pm when the church is closed for sightseeing) but i think he might just got lucky, perhaps the cashier had gone off before that time.
there's a choral evensong on Thursday, i might pay a visit if possible. i just wonder if we arrive late, is it possible to attend the service still?
generally when the service starts the doors are closed.
Jen, why do you think you might arrive late for the service?
If you are going to Evensong, I'd make every effort to arrive on time, a matter of respect for the service. If you don't have time for the tour, don't want to spend the money for the entrance fee, a look at St. Paul's from the outside is better than nothing. You can get a good look at it just passing by on a bus.
St. Paul's is on the Bus Line #15, which begins in Trafalgar Square, stops at St. Paul's, continues on to Tower Hill, Tower of London. Get off there to walk about 1 block to Tower Bridge, if you will be visiting Tower Bridge.
But really, with your mention (above) of wanting to see St. Paul's because of it being the location of the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, just pay the fee and go inside. It is really worth it.
Hi Rebecca,
actually at first I arrange the 1st day for theTower Bridge, Docklands area etc including St. Paul's Cathedral. 2nd day would be for the West End including Buckingham Palace area even I plan to visit Notting Hill areas as well not only the Portobello Market so going from this area takes more time with transport than if i just walk from Borough Market. BUT i just find out that Westminster Abbey which is one of the highlight on my itinerary would be closed on the 2nd day of my visit which is Thursday 30th June. Lucky I have not prepared any bookings yet. so i have to switch the itineraries and everything could be on schedule now :D
St. Paul's is expensive because the cost of upkeep is enormous. It is well worth it if you wish to see the whole church, including the memorial chapel to American service,men, and the crypt below (which you will not do if you attend Evensong).
I see you asked elsewhere about the 2-4-1 offer for Westminster Abbey. St. Paul's also is on the 2-4-1 offer this summer. You might benefit from a paper 1-day Travelcard for your travels to the Tower of London ( also on the 2-4-1, as is Tower Bridge). So that is 3 attractions you could get for half-price----but you must do them all on the same day your Travelcard is valid. And it must be a paper Travelcard purchased at a National Rail station, not N Oyster card or anything purchased from a Tube station.
