St Paul's Cathedral

My wife and I both thought that St Paul's was one of the more beautiful churches that we have ever visited. We went last Sunday. The bad part of going on a Sunday is that most of the "sights" within the church are closed. The good part is that it is possible to experience a service there. The singing was wonderful.

It is masterpiece!!!!!!! On a recent London/France trip with about a dozen church visits... St Paul's takes the cake for the most beautiful church we have seen. (Note: my husband states the Vatican is nearly a tie.) Compared to Westminster Abbeye, St Paul's is hand's down more beautiful.. but it lacks the "history" you find at Westminster. Of our entire trip, this was my highlight. The beauty/majesty of the building somehow kept hundreds of visitors silent (which was the only church I experienced this at.) If you are going to London... make sure you go to St Paul's. Don't rush through it.. but take the time to enjoy the architecture and expansive space. If you are able bodied climb the small (but over 200) stairs to the whispering gallery and the additional (100+) to the stone gallery.

A lot of visitors seem to overlook St Paul's, or simply know it as the place where Diana and Charles got married, which is a pity, because in my mind it's as beautiful as Westminster Abbey. It's also a stunning architectural masterpiece by Christopher Wren - the dome looks impressive enough on the outside, but when you get inside and see the extraordinary mosaic designs and paintings it takes your breath away.

St Paul's is also very accessible - you can go right up inside the dome to the Whispering Gallery which is quite a climb but manageable if you are reasonably fit, and gaze down to the congregations below. Seated here you get a close up view of the interior of the dome and its gorgeous monochromatic paintings.

Another 119 steps takes you to the outside viewing balcony near the top, where you can freeze your ears off for the privilege of great views over London. The balustrade is quite high though, so unless you're Dr Manhattan you have to look through it. If you've done the London Eye then the view is probably not worth it.

The no photo policy is in full swing here as it is elsewhere in Great Britain, unfortunately.

Going down to the crypt below was for me as good as the Dome. Just reading the plaques is like a who's who of history - Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington have the best tombs and memorials, but there are dozens of others equally well known - William Blake, Jean de la Fontaine, Antony Van Dyck, Sir Arthur Sullivan, Field Marshal Montgomery, a panel dedicated to the Falklands heroes, and many other famous names. It felt odd walking over someone's burial site though. Some of the graves are so worn you can't read the names. Atmosphere abounds here.

Our docent informed us with a completely straight face that there are only 300 people buried at St Paul's compared with the thousands over at the Abbey, but the ones here were a 'better class of dead' and I didn't dare to argue. He was very helpful and friendly as were the other guides around the church. This level also contains a decent cafe.

Cost is 11 quid per person for entry but it's worth it. Guided tours are additional as are the audio guides.

A terrific experience and the highlight of London for me. Wonderful architecture, stunning decoration, great history. Seeing the tomb of my ancestor, Captain George Westcott, made it all the more special.