What are the best places to visit near St. Paul’s Cathedral?
Date post added: 9th July 2025
St Paul’s Cathedral, and its mighty dome, is one of London’s top must-see tourist attractions. And we heartily recommend that you take your time to explore this historic and architectural beauty in the heart of the City of London.
While you’re in the St Paul’s area, there are many other wonderful places to see as well. It’s the perfect starting point for some serious London sightseeing. But alongside must-visit landmarks, you must explore the cultural wonders, foodie destinations, film locations and beautiful places to stop and drink in the remarkable view.
This is an area steeped in history. There are centuries of legendary stories to discover here – from the Great Fire of London to The Blitz (and plenty of other tales that don’t involve mass destruction by smoke and flames!)
If your next stop is St Paul’s, make a day of it and explore this extraordinary part of London.
Don’t rush St Paul’s Cathedral
We can thank King Ethelbert of Kent for this sacred site in the City of London. He got the first church built there in 604AD. The original building was destroyed by The Great Fire of London and that’s when Sir Christopher Wren stepped in. He designed the architectural masterpiece that is St Paul’s Cathedral as we know it today.
The grand Grade I listed building is breathtakingly beautiful. It is 111m (365 feet) tall from the cathedral floor to the top of the striking dome. The Golden Gallery’s the highest accessible point in St. Paul’s. That’s 528 steps up! If you can’t face that climb, you could opt for a mere 376 steps to the Stone Gallery, or 257 steps to the Whispering Gallery.
There’s so much more to St Paul’s than a place of worship. Enter the cathedral at Evensong (every evening at 5pm) and you can’t fail to be moved by the beauty of both the performance of hymns and the exquisite location.
To discover the secrets and splendours of St Paul’s Cathedral, join our walking tour each Tuesday morning at 10.30am.
Once you’ve explored the inside of the cathedral, make sure to take a moment to admire the serenity of St Paul’s churchyard. It’s a wonderful place for a picnic beneath the trees.
Take in a panoramic view
The London skyline is quite something to behold. This area of London offers many places where you can take in breathtaking views of the city – not just from the galleries in St Paul’s Cathedral.
Nearby shopping centre, One New Change, has a rather lovely rooftop terrace. From there, you get to see the dome of St Paul’s close up as well as views across the city.
On the other side of the River Thames, you can look back to St Paul’s from several vantage points. You could step aboard The London Eye and enjoy the views from your revolving glass pod. If you like a little less motion with your sightseeing, head to Tate Modern and its balcony on Level 10 for excellent waterside views.
If you fancy something a little more boujee, wander along the Thames Path to The Shard by London Bridge. There you can spend some serious cash to enjoy views across London from a swanky cocktail bar in the sky.
Explore the city’s history
Some of the most magnificent sites of London history are within walking distance of St Paul’s.
Tower of London: this historic Royal fortress was built over 900 years ago to protect London from invasion. It’s had many roles, notably as a royal palace, a prison, and a treasury. Today, it’s an incredible place for a glimpse of the Crown Jewels and the famous ravens. And importantly, to hear the stories of its legendary prisoners.
Tower Bridge: the beautiful bridge that spans the River Thames is both a vital transportation link and a popular tourist attraction. Stop to watch the central section raise up to let tall ships pass through. You can also climb inside its distinctive towers and you get amazing views from the walkway at the top.
The Monument: if you want to increase your step count even more after St Paul’s, you can climb the 311 steps at The Monument to the Great Fire of London of 1666. It’s located near Pudding Lane where the fire began, in the middle of Paternoster Square. Be warned, it’s a very steep, narrow, winding staircase to ascend and descend.
Westminster Abbey: another iconic church in the heart of London, Westminster Abbey has been the site of royal weddings, coronations and funerals for centuries. It’s a magnificent building and well worth exploring thoroughly. Let our expert guide show you around with an insightful Westminster Abbey tour, each Monday and Saturday.
London Mithraeum: discover secrets from Roman London in these incredible preserved temple ruins. It’s an exceptional archaeological find below Bloomberg’s corporate HQ.
Gems in the City
These are a few of our favourite locations that are slightly hidden gems, off the main sightseeing path.
Bank of England: Harry Potter fans may well liken this financial institution to Gringott’s Bank! Alongside one of the oldest banks in the world, The Bank of England Museum is a must-visit to discover all things money-related. You can even hold a block of gold!
Leadenhall Market: another Harry Potter film location in the City – Leadenhall Market’s used as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. This spectacular covered market dates back to the 14th Century. Make sure you look up to admire the intricate architecture. It’s a beautiful destination to stop for a coffee and obligatory photos.
Postman’s Park: this charming garden to the north of St Paul’s Cathedral is a lovely place to discover. Its moving Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice is a must-see. Each tile on that wall is devoted to unsung heroes who died trying to save someone.
Paternoster Square: near St Paul’s tube station, pretty Paternoster Square is home to the restored Temple Bar and the lovable Shepherd and Sheep statue.
Stroll along the South Bank
A walk along the Thames Path, beside the River Thames, is a wonderful London activity. And our favourite stretch encompasses an array of historic and cultural hotspots.
Millennium Bridge: the nearest bridge to St Paul’s, it leads you from the cathedral over to Tate Modern. The pedestrian suspension bridge was dubbed ‘The Wobbly Bridge’ when it first opened, but thankfully the disconcerting wobble is no more.
Borough Market: turn left from the Millennium Bridge and walk along the river towards Borough. There are amazing pubs, cafes and restaurants around here. Most notably, Borough Market is an absolute foodies delight.
Globe Theatre: did you know that Shakespeare and Dickens both lived around Southwark in their day? A replica Shakespearean theatre stands proud on the South Bank of the Thames. Watching a play here is a magical experience.
Tate Modern: inside a former power station on the banks of the Thames, is one of Britain’s finest art galleries. Take in modern and contemporary art from around the world. Look out for its eclectic programme of events and workshops too. To understand Tate Modern and its impact, join our Blue Badge guide, Rick Jones on his weekly tour here each Wednesday.
Discover secrets of London, hidden in plain sight
There’s a wealth of sights to see near St Paul’s, starting with the majestic cathedral itself. To truly know and discover the City, you need to be shown the sights and told the tales. That’s where our London Walks guides come into their own. They’re exceptional storytellers and will bring the historic city to life.
Join our new walk around the City of London to discover lesser known secrets. You’ll wonder how you’ve never noticed these things before! Our wonderful guide, Sam, will point out symbols and share the fascinating stories behind them. It’s an enlightening guided tour around the City.
Every Thursday afternoon, we remember how The Blitz affected this area around St Paul’s. Walk with us to learn about the time “London turned crimson.”
Pippa Jackson
Pippa is a word nerd and content aficionado with a background of working in TV on both sides of the globe. She loves to discover and share the diverse and wonderful stories of her much-loved London. When she’s not writing blogs and articles, you’ll find her walking beside the Thames or even paddleboarding on it (in the finest of conditions only!) or enjoying a coffee in the sunshine with a good book.
David Tucker
David – the Seigneur of this favoured realm – broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is “unmanageable.”* He’s a balterer, literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, logophile and lifelong thanatophobe. For good measure, he’s the doyen of London guides.