You don’t need to be religious to appreciate the stunning beauty of a cathedral like St Paul’s in London, a place we make a point to visit on every trip. It’s an architectural masterpiece designed by Sir Christopher Wren. A small bonus to visiting is that it also has the graves of Nelson and Wellington, a fitting mausoleum for two of Britain’s most important heroes. Photo was taken in 2007. Who here has climbed the narrow 528 steps to the top of the Golden Dome?
Author: Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.
The Golden Gallery in the Dome was closed for renovations when my sister and I went back in 2009, but we did make the hike up the 376 steps to the stone gallery – it’s a fantastic view too (and quite a workout!). =)
My sister and I climbed to the top when we visited St. Pauls in 2009 for the first time. It is a serious climb, and indeed very narrow! You feel every one of those 528 steps the next day! Still, without a doubt, completely worth the effort (and the views are incredible).
Oh, apparently we didn’t get to do the full climb (as my sister mentioned above!) but still, quite the effort even for the stone gallery LOL
I made it to the Whispering Gallery. That was enough for a day that began with a climb up Monument.
My wife and 2 kids made the climb on the first day of our last trip to London. My wife felt it in her calves the entire trip. Me–just a couple of days! I did envision what would happen if I went into cardiac arrest on the way up. It DOES get very cramped….not for those with claustrophobia.
I made it up to the Stone Gallery in 2005 while my husband, Mark, made up to the Golden Dome. The views from just the Stone Gallery are fantastic. In 2007 we just went as far as the Whispering Gallery. It’s certainly worth the sore legs though.