St. Paul’s Cathedral Interior Photos London UK 2024
June 2, 2025
A Beautiful Old Church With A Rooftop Observation Deck
St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England, turned out to be a mixed experience for us. While it’s a decent attraction for adults, it’s not particularly engaging for kids. In 2024, during our first trip to London, we had a long list of must-see landmarks—but Saint Paul’s Cathedral wasn’t one of them. It ended up being an afterthought, something we decided to visit since we were nearby.
The building itself is undeniably beautiful, historic, and grand—reminiscent of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. I had visited St. Peter’s with my wife back in 1996, long before we were married, so stepping into Saint Paul’s Cathedral brought back memories of that trip. However, the experience here felt lackluster in comparison. The tickets were on the pricey side, and the overall visit was underwhelming.
St. Paul’s Cathedral Is Boring For Kids
A few days earlier, we had visited Westminster Abbey, which my seven-year-old absolutely loved. They offered an interactive kids’ tour that made the experience exciting and fun for her. Saint Paul’s Cathedral, on the other hand, didn’t cater to children at all. The tour was informative, but it was clearly designed for adults. My daughter found it boring, and we were all feeling cold, tired, and hungry, which didn’t help matters.
While my family rested in some chairs, I decided to explore the cathedral further and climbed hundreds of steps to the very top of the dome. From there, I walked along the inside, looking down at the vast interior, before heading to the observation deck outside. The 360-degree view of London was a highlight for me. Despite the cloudy weather, it was incredible to see landmarks like the London Eye, Tower Bridge, Sky Garden, Millennium Bridge, and The Shard. As someone who loves photography, this vantage point was a treat—one of the highest you can find in London.
In summary, Saint Paul’s Cathedral is worth a visit if you’re traveling without kids or if you’re particularly interested in architecture and history. However, I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it. For families with young children, there are more engaging attractions in London to prioritize.
As a wedding photographer, I love seeing inside churches and venues of all kinds!
