{"id":30355,"date":"2023-05-17T20:48:26","date_gmt":"2023-05-17T19:48:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/londonducklings.co.uk\/?p=30355"},"modified":"2023-10-18T10:21:03","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T09:21:03","slug":"st-pauls-cathedral-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/londonducklings.co.uk\/st-pauls-cathedral-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips Exploring St Paul’s Cathedral with Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Exploring the impressive St Paul’s Cathedral with kids is both fun and educational. In this post, we’ll give you tips to make the most of your visit when bringing the little ones for an exciting day of discovery amidst the stunning spires and history-rich stone walls.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ticket prices and family discounts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We visited St Paul’s Cathedral on a sunny Saturday morning, taking the tube to St Paul’s station, which is just a few minutes walk from the cathedral. A family ticket<\/a> is \u00a350 (2 Adults + 2 or 3 Children), which is around \u00a310 cheaper than buying 4 individual tickets. Children under 6 go free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip:<\/strong> If you convert your ticket to a donation (at no additional cost), it will become an annual pass valid for 12 months! This is excellent value if you’re a Londoner or plan to visit St Paul’s several times within a 12-months period. Note that your ticket can not<\/strong><\/span> be converted to an annual pass if you use 2-for-1 National Rail discount or Tesco Clubcard vouchers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

National Rail 2 for 1 discount tickets for St Paul’s Cathedral<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This offer is for two admission tickets for the price of one walk-up adult ticket, which is currently \u00a323. If you need to buy two children’s tickets in addition, it would bring the total to \u00a343, which is less than a family ticket (\u00a350). However, these 2-for-1 tickets cannot be converted to annual passes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These discount tickets can only be pre-booked online through the National Rail website<\/a>. When you visit you will need to show a train ticket to London for each person within a 2-for-1 pair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that for some ticketing scenarios, it can be better value not to use the 2-for-1 offer. The 2 for 1 offer is for two individual admission tickets only and the annual passes, tours and special event tickets are not eligible. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discounts using Tesco Clubcard vouchers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tesco Clubcard voucher codes are validated on arrival only, not online. Just bring your code with you on the day, no need to book. Vouchers can be used as part or full payment against the walk-up individual and family admission tickets<\/a> only. Note that these tickets can not be converted into annual passes for free, like the regular tickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check our discount ticket page <\/a>for more tips on saving money on London attractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting St Paul’s Cathedral with Kids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first thing that struck us when entering the cathedral was the sheer size and beauty of it. The dome is breathtaking, and the stained glass windows are stunning. There are also many statues, paintings and monuments to admire. We decided to start with the crypt, where you can see the tombs of famous people like Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of the cathedral, and Admiral Nelson, the hero of the Battle of Trafalgar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip:<\/strong> Multimedia guides are included in the ticket price at no additional cost. In addition to information about the history of the church, kids can also enjoy quizzes, activities and interactive games using the devices. Our 6 and 10-year-olds really enjoyed these guides, and it made it easier for us parents to keep them engaged throughout the visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tip:<\/strong> Pick a day with a clear sky. Making the effort to climb all the steps to the top, only to be surrounded by fog will be a big disappointment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Crypt and main floor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The crypt was very interesting, but also a bit dark and spooky for our youngest one, who is only 2 years old. He got a bit scared by the sound of the organ and the dim lighting. So we quickly moved on to the main floor, where there was more space and light. There we enjoyed exploring the different chapels and aisles and learning about the history of the cathedral from the multimedia guides that are included in the ticket price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Whispering Gallery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The highlight of our visit was climbing up to the dome. There are three levels that you can access: the Whispering Gallery, the Stone Gallery and the Golden Gallery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"whispering
The Whispering Gallery is completely safe for kids of all ages to visit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Whispering Gallery is 257 steps up from the main floor, and it’s famous for its acoustics. You can whisper something on one side of the dome and hear it clearly on the other side. It’s a lot of fun, especially for kids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Stone Gallery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Younger children should be able to walk up to the Stone Gallery Level. The staircase is wider and safer as compared to walking up the final part to the Golden Gallery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Stone Gallery is another 119 steps up from the Whispering Gallery, and it offers a great view of the city from outside the dome. You can see landmarks like the Shard, the London Eye and Tower Bridge. It’s also a good spot to take photos and selfies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Stone Gallery is wide with good protection, making it safe also for young children and toddlers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Stone Gallery is an excellent place to bring kids, but keep an eye on them at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Golden Gallery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As you can see from the image we took below, the staircase is very narrow and steep going up to the Stone Gallery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’d advise against taking young children all the way to the top, even if you’re using a baby carrier. The stairwell is quite narrow, and there are spots with low ceilings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The spiral staircase going up to the Golden Gallery is narrow and steep. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Golden Gallery is the highest level that you can reach, at 528 steps up from the main floor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As already mentioned, it’s not for the faint-hearted, as the stairs are narrow and steep, and the gallery is very windy. But if you make it there, you will be rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view of London that is worth every step. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Golden Gallery viewing platform <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We were lucky to have a clear day, and we could see as far as Wembley Stadium and Windsor Castle. As you can see from the images, there isn\u2019t a lot of space on the top viewing platform and it gets busy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Definitely not ideal to bring toddlers or young children, but tweens and teens will be fine. Our 10-year-old really enjoyed it, but we did not bring our two youngest kids all the way to the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Golden Gallery on the top of St paul’s Cathedral<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Conclusion: A great family adventure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We spent about three hours in total at St Paul’s Cathedral, and we had a wonderful time. It was a great way to learn more about London’s history and culture and to enjoy stunning views. We highly recommend it for families with kids, as long as you are prepared for some climbing and walking. There are also some facilities that make your visit easier, such as toilets, a cafe, a gift shop and a cloakroom where you can leave your bags and coats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is climbing up St Paul’s Cathedral safe for children?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Based on visiting with our own children ages 2, 6 and 10, the two first levels are safe for children of all ages, as long as you are careful and follow some precautions (see list below). Climbing to the top level (The Golden Gallery), we only recommend for children older than 9 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n