St Paul's Cathedral

This is another very very impressive structure in London that can't decide whether it is a war memorial and monument to colonialism or a church. That being said, it is more of a place of worship than Westminster Abbey and you may find some corners that might inspire your soul a bit. If you want something that speaks to your spirit, I'd recommend St. Martin in the Fields near the National Gallery.

Although we arrived over an hour and 1/2 before official close, we were told that we couldn't have the audio tour (Included in the $20 admission--it's far from "free") because there "wasn't time" and that the steps to the dome "were already closed." We found all this out AFTER they had taken our money. (How "Christian" of a Cathedral!) Don't be ripped off like we were--arrive early. We came back for evensong, which was excellent. Most of the other worshipers were there for a high-society "Friends of the Cathedral" commemoration, but some obviously didn't know how to either participate in a church service or (sadly) how to behave at one for that matter--lets just say they had a difficult time controlling their talking. We got to speak to HRH the Duchess of Gloucester afterward which was a unique experience as an American tourist, I must say.

Overall, you must see St. Paul's simply because the British worked so hard to save it during the War if nothing else. Just be careful to get what you pay for.

St Paul's Cathedral is huge. The inside is jaw-dropping. Not to be missed.

We first tried to visit on a Wednesday morning, but it was closed to visitors due to a service for the OB. Tried again that afternoon, but the dome is closed after 3:30, the Cathedral closes at 4:00.

Went again on Friday afternoon. Climbed all the way to the Golden Gallery. Exhausting. Very tight space up there. Stairs are steep. What goes up must come down. The views are very well worth the effort.

....256, 257...GASP!...258, 259...WHEW!It's a long climb up the inside of St. Paul's dome to the Whispering Gallery, but once there visitors can experience one of the amusing quirks of the cathedral's construction. Two people facing the walls on opposite sides of the circular gallery can communicate by whispering. Visiting children find this endlessly fascinating.Physically fit visitors can continue the climb another 271 steps to the Golden Gallery of St. Paul's. The views from the outside of this level are worth the trek.