Hidden History of St Paul's Cathedral - Part II (Behind the Scenes Tour!)

Join me for a tour behind the scenes of London's iconic St Paul's Cathedral!
We learn about how the design came about, how holds the dome up and lots of the hidden details inside that can be easily missed.
If you missed Part I you can catch up here; • Hidden History of St P...
Book tickets for St Paul's as well as tickets on special Triforium Tours in the upper levels here; www.stpauls.co...
Drop me an email at [e-mail] if you're interested in a Private Tour or St Paul's Cathedral.
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IMAGE CREDITS
With huge thanks to St Paul's Cathedral Archive Collection for the use of the following images;
- Composite Section, plan and elevation of two version of a 16-bay dome, developed from the revised design, drawn by Hawksmoor c.1690
- Golden Gallery 'peephole' down to the Cathedral Floor
- Images of the Firewatch
Unless otherwise stated the images are in the Public Domain or available to use under a Creative Commons license

[@garryarkle]

I work just around the corner from St.Paul's and when the weather is nice, I like to have my lunch in the garden underneath the cathedral walls.

[@LookUpLondon]

Ah lovely! I’m looking forward to the gardens reopening again soon!

[@krisnorvig6643]

I just watched this, after booking a Triforium tour for next month. I'm so excited! I LOVED all your "sneaky details". Thanks very much for making this, and for al that you do!

[@TheRealMisterProtocol]

I did climb to the gallery at the lantern, many years ago, before most of the modern buildings that now crowd central London were built. I remember looking out, and, in my mind, subtracting the then-modern buildings, and seeing in my mind's eye and my real eyes the London of Christopher Wren, with the steeples of the churches he designed punctuating the skyline all across London.

[@simonwallis84]

Really enjoyed that. I have a terrible head for heights,even just watching the parts where camera looks over the edge of the railings make me dizzy. So fascinating learning new stuff about London that I drive past everyday as black driver of nearly 35 years. Cheers Katie

[@gents6379]

This is my favorite building ever. I have visited on every London trip. Vespers is not to be missed!

[@LookUpLondon]

I think I'm inclined to agree Gary! Put on the spot, always have to say it's my favourite building too. And seeing it with song and full for a service is just magical

[@karendavis6123]

We attended vespers there years ago. It was beautiful!

[@njm57]

I haven't been inside since I was a child. I don't remember it being that beautiful. I must visit again. That was such an interesting talk. Thank you.

[@LookUpLondon]

Thanks Nicky! Glad it inspired you, it really is a wonderful place.

[@davidfarrell3539]

Fascinating to discover that there are remnants of the old St Pauls! Also, thank you Katie for walking the 528 steps to the Golden Gallery so I don't have to: I visited the Cathedral last August when there was a one-way system to visit the Stone Gallery. The subsequent (unadvertised) 300 + steps nearly killed me, but it was worth it for the amazing views over London. As they say, ignorance is bliss!

[@LookUpLondon]

Haha you're very welcome David, and that was at 32 weeks pregnant! I felt very proud to have made the climb!!! I have actually once done it twice in a day, a private tour in the morning and then again in the afternoon - that was an active day!

[@asheland_numismatics]

Awesome video!!! 👍

[@avialbersbenchamo4797]

Pure joy! Thank you 🙂

[@gabrielaroca8366]

I have been in St Paul’s about 8 time already and yet, I’ve learnt a lot with you! Thank you so much!

[@joannafitzpatrick88]

What a amazing line on Wren’s monument stone.

[@fordkoleski7913]

I love your videos but you speak so softly that I can not hardly make out what ur saying, even with volume at full blast. Keep up the amazing work!

[@haze1123]

Wonderful. Thank you!

[@estellehowell4414]

Great video, I remember going inside and up the dome as a child but I really must revisit.

[@LookUpLondon]

You definitely should Estelle! Especially now with no crowds ;)

[@elbaza91]

I climbed to the top, although I didn’t realise the task when I started, It was a case of I’ve started so I’ll finish, not bad for a 75 year old!

[@LookUpLondon]

Very impressive indeed! I climbed it at 9 months pregnant but think you win!

[@jennyw8953]

Fascinating, thank you Katie

[@LookUpLondon]

My pleasure Jenny!

[@pgreen9596]

I visit St. Paul's every time I come to London. (4 times so far) and have climbed to the top. I am tall so it was a bit challenging getting through the doorway at the top!! Great video!

[@scottmartinezguitarandbass]

I could listen to you speak all day. Though a cold shower or two in between might be necessary. ;)

[@charlieeckert4321]

Yes, I have been to the Whispering Gallery (twice) and The Golden Gallery (once) when I was stationed in East Anglia in the early 1980's

[@LookUpLondon]

Such a treat to climb that dome 🙌🏼

[@susanacre4951]

My husband and I visited in Oct 2019 and climbed to the top of the dome! It was spectacular and totally worth the effort! Loved going on this virtual tour with you!

[@LookUpLondon]

Thanks so much Susan! It really is a special place isn't it? Well done for tackling the climb!

[@judithbarnett2966]

Fantastic. I love the rocket hidden in plain sight (& I shall look forward to the library perhaps being opened again one day) But yes, the best bit is Christopher Wren's tomb/memorial. What a brilliant comment!

[@LookUpLondon]

So apt isn’t it? Always gives me goosebumps

[@janicesmyth1713]

Thank you Katie for your fascinating tours. I love history and St Paul’s is very beautiful, I have been there and climbed up to the top. In 1960.

[@khardy1801]

I walked to the top in 1989 when I was 8. Not sure I’d make it now.

[@nicknewman7848]

Great video.. I was a chorister at the Cathedral 30 odd years ago. St Pauls was hit twice by bombs during the blitz apparently. One a direct hit on the altar as you mentioned and one that remained unexploded and came through the roof of the North transept, went through the church floor ending up in the crypt. If you look at the floor you can see it is newer in places there. I don't really believe in miracles but that there wasn't any more damage than that is pretty amazing considering the situation. I walked past Wren every day for about 4 years as we used to rehearse in rooms in the crypt and would access the Cathedral via a small door on the south side of the eastern corner of the building. I've been around most of the 'secret' parts of the Cathedral including on the roof and bell towers (with no railings!!!) but my favorite part was this long, dark, dusty old room with three big bumps on the floor and some old boxes and things, the Verger showing us the room walked up on one of the bumps and pulled out a concrete plug out of the top of it. He said "look through there".. I did and realised that I was on top of the west transept ceiling looking down to the church floor. If you hit the right note at the right volume late at night when there's no other noise and limited sound from the city outside, you can hear the echo ring forever (or about 20 secs). I've not tested it elsewhere but i guess there's only 2 or 3 other buildings in the whole world that have acoustics as echoey as that? Now I've remembered that I'm going to have to go and look up echo related stats for man made buildings because I'm clearly putting off what I should really be doing ;) Thanks again for the video.

[@StephenandYhana]

I love St Paul's Cathedral, a big thank you for the hidden history of this iconic and beautiful building 😊

[@LookUpLondon]

It’s such an icon isn’t it, probably my fave London building and glad you enjoyed the video!

[@londoncreative]

I tried to write this on the TikTok video, but ran out of words; I used to have a friend who was one of the Maintenance man in the Cathedral and he gave us a private tour one Saturday afternoon, many years ago, the funniest part of the tour was scaring all my friends. We went into the library - then fully stocked - and out through the veranda doors, those huge windows that are only really visible from Ludgate Circus or the like, he opened the doors and allowed us to walk out onto the parapet above the steps and above the great door. From the windows you don't see that there is a ledge above the pillars about 6 feet lower than the parapet. I walked to the edge of the parapet, looked down, turned to the rest of the group and jumped off, to screams and cries from the rest of the group and laughter from the knowing guide. I stood up and climbed back up (& was promptly punched in the shoulder for scaring them!) The other part you didn't mention was the whispering gallery and the ability to sit on the bench around the side and someone can sit directly opposite you and whisper against the wall and you can hear their words clearly, even through the dim of other visitors all talking.

[@LookUpLondon]

Oh my God!! Imagine 🤣 we went up on the library balcony so I know exactly where you mean - terrifying! Also yes, I love the Whispering Gallery but it’s currently closed and they’re not sure when it’s reopening so I thought best not to mention it until people know when they can revisit!

[@AllieThePrettyGator]

St Pauls Cathedral is the only cathedral in the UK that has Two Bourdon Bells Great Paul and Great Tom

[@RogersRamblings]

In my youth in the early 1960s one could climb further than the external gallery to the space under the ball supporting the cross. At that point one was standing on the rungs of the ladder, there isn't enough space for a landing. As Katy says, one needs to be fit to climb to the top.

[@LookUpLondon]

I've heard a few people mention this, utterly crazy but would've loved to experience that!! Well before 'ealth and safety!

[@reynanayoonjang607]

Cooooool!

[@patjackson8649]

Such a stunning church and what a super video with the hidden details. Kudos to you for getting to that Golden Gallery! We could make the Stone, but that open spiral staircase defeated us. Maybe next time :)

[@LookUpLondon]

Well that's still a tremendous effort Pat - and the views are spectacular in any case! It's always worth a revisit if you get a chance and so glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@georgegard.aka.currymonste1498]

The bit that got me the most was..I'm 4ft 10 i couldn't help but say aahhh

[@robertbarnes3890]

Managed the big climb when in my 20's. Perhaps now in my 70's, might be a struggle! Seem to recall a modern lift installed in one of the columns. Always wondered how they built in within the existing stonework. Hope all well with you. From Robert W Barnes, Spain.

[@LookUpLondon]

Haha I know right? It's always a shock for people when they meet me on tours!

[@LookUpLondon]

They do have a lift to the whispering gallery level but it's only for staff/visitors with accessibility difficulties. The general public have to manage the stairs!

[@rossanomacchioni7746]

The "Ugly" Copy of S.Peter Basilica in Rome.

[@TheSpikehere]

@6:00 "You're treated to" the sight of some of the worst eyesores ever built.

[@rah1721]

Your volume is so low I can hardly hear.

[@daviddalby9699]

I went to the tomb of w m Turner

[@LookUpLondon]

Ah yes that’s a great one to point out too!

[@ljdevine2275]

No way they built that at that time history is a set of lies u just believe tarterra empire