What are St Paul's Cathedral's opening times and how can I check them before visiting?

St Paul's Cathedral is generally open for sightseeing from 8.30am Monday to Saturday, with last entry usually at 4pm and sightseeing ending 30 minutes after that. The Dome Galleries open at 9.30am with last entry at 4.15pm. Because opening and closing times can change, the Cathedral recommends checking its online calendar for the specific day you plan to attend before you travel.

Standard sightseeing hours at a glance

These are the published standard times. The Cathedral states plainly that opening and closing times can change, so treat the table above as a baseline rather than a guarantee for your date.

How to check times for your specific visit

1. Go to the St Paul's Cathedral website (stpauls.co.uk).
2. Open the calendar linked from the visit planning section, which shows what is happening on each day.
3. Find your intended date and confirm the opening hours and any closures or special events listed.
4. If your date involves a service, concert, or exhibition, check that listing too — worship and sightseeing run on different terms.

The calendar is the authoritative source because it reflects day-specific changes that the standard hours cannot capture.

What else to confirm before you go

• Day of week: The published sightseeing hours cover Monday to Saturday. Sunday is not listed as a sightseeing day in the same way, so check the calendar if you are considering a Sunday visit.
• Ticketing: It is free to worship at St Paul's, but sightseeing is ticketed. Monday to Saturday sightseeing costs £27 per adult and £10.50 per child, with discounts for families, groups, and concessions, and some free tickets available. Tickets can be booked online or in person.
• Bag rules: Bags larger than 45cm x 30cm x 25cm — including handles, wheels, and pockets — cannot be brought in, and there is no cloakroom. Plan to travel light or arrange storage elsewhere.
• Accessibility: Specially designed guides and tours are available, along with measures to improve physical accessibility. Check the Accessibility page if you have specific needs.

Common pitfalls

• Assuming the standard hours apply to your date. Special services, events, and seasonal changes can alter access, which is exactly why the calendar exists.
• Arriving near last entry. If you enter at the last entry time, you get roughly 30 minutes before sightseeing ends — not enough for the Dome Galleries, which have their own earlier last entry of 4.15pm.
• Bringing a large bag. Without a cloakroom, an oversized bag means you may be turned away at the entry check.

Getting there

The address is St Paul's Cathedral, St Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD. The nearest tube station is St Paul's Underground Station, and the Cathedral is reachable by a number of public transport routes.