St. Paul's Cathedral

Did you know? 10 facts about St. Paul's Cathedral

By Suz Pathmanathan

Interior of St Paul's Cathedral
The splendor of St. Paul's

From state funerals to exciting art installations, St. Paul's Cathedral embraces tradition and innovation and remains a popular site for tourists. So, as one of the star attractions on The London Pass, here are a few facts about St. Paul's Cathedral to help you prepare for your visit.

St Paul's Cathedral is the fourth church to stand on the site

Dating all the way back to 604 AD, the land that St Paul's Cathedral stands upon has been consecrated ground for a very long time, with three different predecessors. The Great Fire of London in 1666 saw the Cathedral's previous iteration destroyed. Sir Christopher Wren, an architect instrumental in rebuilding the city, designed the version that exists today.

The dome is one of the largest in the world

Joining the likes of the Roman Pantheon, St Paul's Cathedral boasts one of the biggest domes in the world at 366 feet high. Scale hundreds of steps to the top and bask in the architecture. Spend some time in its famous Whispering Gallery - a walkway thirty meters up.

Due to the specific design of the cathedral's dome, sound carries incredibly well across the Whispering Gallery. Try it for yourself with a friend and see how quietly you can whisper to one another from the opposite sides.

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. once gave a sermon at St Paul's Cathedral

In 1964, Martin Luther King was invited to speak by Canon John Collins. The congregation totalled over three thousand, all packed into the cathedral. Aside from being an activist, Martin Luther King was also a Baptist minister, and he spoke about three different approaches to life in a sermon now known as The Three Dimensions to a Complete Life.

St Paul's art collection spans different art periods, all the way up to the present day

Besides being a work of art in itself, St Paul's is home to many gorgeous pieces ranging different time periods. Henry Moore's Madonna and Child sculpture and the Victorian mosaics trailing the walls are accompanied by modern works such as Gerry Judah's thought-provoking white crosses and Ian Hamilton Finlay's neon piece L'étoile dans son étable de lumiere.

Sir Christopher Wren, the Cathedral's architect, was the first to be buried in its tombs

Interred in 1723, the prolific British architect was laid to rest in his own masterpiece. He was the first of numerous key figures to have the honour. The epitaph inscribed on his crypt reads: Lector, si monumentum requiris - which is Latin for 'If you seek his Monument, look around'.

Many famous  British figures are honored in the Cathedral

A burial, memorial or funeral in St. Paul's still remains the highest national honor. Many artists, writers, politicians, humanitarians and more have been granted this prestige. The list includes John Donne, Florence Nightingale, William Blake, and Sir Alexander Fleming, who all have celebratory monuments. Prime ministers Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher have had funeral services held here. St Paul's naturally receives comparisons to Westminster Abbey in the burials area with both boasting famous historical names, though both attractions have their differences overall.

St. Paul's Cathedral has captured the imagination of artists and filmmakers worldwide

Depicted in artworks by famed artists such as Canaletto, Daubigny, Signac and Derain, St Paul's Cathedral has been a source of artistic inspiration since its construction. The Cathedral has also been featured in movies. Lawrence of Arabia, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Sherlock Holmes and Thor: The Dark World show the monument in all its glory. There's no better proof that it's an instantly recognisable icon of British heritage.

Suffragettes planned to blow up the Bishop's throne in St Paul back in 1913

In an attempt to raise awareness for equal voting rights, suffragettes planted a battery-powered bomb underneath the bishop's throne. Luckily for the Cathedral, the faulty bomb failed to go off. But sadly for women, there was no female vote until 1918. Voting equality took even longer to push through, and was only introduced in 1928.

St Paul's Cathedral hosts rotating art installations

The likes of Yoko Ono, Rebecca Horn, Anthony Gormley and more have had their works featured in St Paul's Cathedral. You can explore an incredibly broad range of art and historical artifacts in the cathedral's collections.

 

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Must-See London Attractions & Sights - London Pass

Don’t leave London until you've seen these must-see London attractions and landmarks! With a city filled with so many places to go and must-see sights in London, it’s hard to find time to do everything. From royal residences to peaceful city breaks (and even a cheeky pub visit), there's loads to make a priority on your travel itinerary with only a few days to make the most of it. We’ve made it simple for you with our ultimate guide to the must see London attractions, make sure you've ticked these off your list - and score a sweet discount along the way by signing up for the London Pass. Tower of London The Tower of London is one of the most iconic landmarks in the capital. As well as the Beefeaters and Crown Jewels, see if you can count the six legendary ravens that are said to guard to tower and court from ruin. Westminster Abbey Visit Westminster Abbey to take in its architecture and English heritage and learn about the royal celebrations and famous tombstones in the Abbey’s grounds. Walk around the cemetery where figureheads and national heroes were laid to rest, including Jeoffrey Chaucer, Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. Millennium Bridge Walk along this modern pedestrianized footbridge that links you from Bankside to the City and marvel at the views East and West over the River. The sleek, steel design was opened in 2000 and is nicknamed the “Wobbly” bridge by Londoners and it’s the perfect route to the Tate Modern for any culture vultures – and those with sturdy knees. It's also the site of a popular Harry Potter scene and one of the stops on our guide to all things boy wizard in London. Big Ben Make sure you get the essential souvenir photo in front of Big Ben to show off to your friends and family. As one of London’s most iconic monuments, the bell tower at the North of Westminster Palace was completed in 1858 and its clock face is made up of 213 pieces of opal glass. If you time it right, you can hear the Westminster Quarters that ring on the quarter hours. Hyde Park Take things slow at London's famed green pocket, one of the many must see sights in London. This sprawling park is always filled with locals lying about on the grass or cycling their way through its spiderwebbed paths, especially when the weather gets particularly warm in the summer. Do as the Londoners do and come armed with a blanket, a few ciders and a picnic lunch. Buckingham Palace Pay Queen Liz a visit at her official royal residence, just a stone's throw from Trafalgar Square and Green Park. Most people tend to mill about outside the towering black gates, flanked by imposing looking guards side-eyeing tourists taking selfies. Although the palace isn't usually open to the public, in the summer months it opens up specifically for tourists - keep an eye on the website for more details. Borough Market If you’ve had a day of sightseeing around the Tower of London and need to refuel, enter into the bustling Borough Market, just beside London Bridge station. Underneath the old glass ceiling, the original market has been restored and sells everything from farm made cheese to freshly caught fish, and every pastry in between! Don’t forget to take change, as card machines are hard to come by. The tube The easiest way to get around, the tube is a must-do when you’re travelling around London. If you want to do it properly, try catch the Metropolitan line (which opened in 1863) to say you’ve travelled on the oldest tube line in London! For an overground experience, jump onto the DLR at Bank and take it all the way to Canary Wharf - a jam packed financial district towering with skyscrapers. A West End show There’s plenty of things to do at night in London, but if you’re stuck book yourself a discounted West End show. A huge heritage of the capital, London’s West End is famous for producing award winning plays and launching the careers of some of the most respected actors in the world. For family-friendly musicals, check out The Lion King, School of Rock and Wicked or venture out to the Book of Mormon for a sillier adult take on the genre. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre “To be, or not to be” is one of the most quoted lines in history, so pay homage to our most famous playwright Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre. Learn about its history, English productions in 1500-1600s and the trials and tribulations of the theatre – and Shakespeare himself – within England. A London pub The English love their pubs, so duck into a traditional London pub for a slice of British culture. Why not try some London Pride or a pint of British cider for a true taste of the city. Sam Smith pubs are popular among the locals, so why not try The Chandos, nestled in the heart of Westminster for a spot of sightseeing and relaxation. Why not pop by some of the Oldest Pubs in London!  A London black cab Meet the real Londoners who know the city inside and out; the cabbies. Jump in a black cab, even if it’s to take you round the corner, and they’ll let you into their world of cockney rhyming slang and city secrets.
Kirsten McCroskrie
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Illuminated River: What's It All About?

What is Illuminated River? Illuminated River is a large-scale public art piece, rolling out along the River Thames over the next few years. It will transform the look of the city’s main water feature each night, lighting up the bridges that cross it with illuminations. Once completed, it will be illuminating up to 15 bridges on the River Thames. The illuminations for each bridge are individually conceived. Some will reflect the story behind the bridge, while others will emulate the bridge’s design and engineering. Some of the illuminations are styled to mimic the flow of the Thames on that particular stretch of the river, while others will reference the communities north and south of the river that are joined by the bridge. Illuminated River will make each bridge that crosses the Thames stand out as an individual landmark with its own interesting history, purposeful design and important surrounding communities. At the same time, the art project will link the London bridges together into a single art piece with the Thames as its stage. You can see a very lovely visitation of how Illuminated River will look once completed here. So I have to wait a while to see it? Nope. Phase one of Illuminated River is already completed, with four bridges getting lit in Summer 2019. London, Cannon Street, Southwark and Millennium bridges. Go see for yourself. Or check out just how gorgeous they’re all looking on Instagram these days. Phase two of this ambitious project is due to be wrapped up by autumn 2020 and includes Blackfriars, Waterloo, Westminster, Golden Jubilee and Lambeth Bridges. The rest will (funding permitting) be completed by 2022. When it’s done, the piece will stretch from West London’s Albert Bridge to Tower Bridge. That’s a 4.5 nautical mile section of the River Thames that’ll be a part of this public art piece, the longest in the world. So as far as artworks go, it’s definitely doing more than most to bring the city together. Weren’t the bridges lit up before? Some of them, yes. London and Southwark bridges were both previously lit up at night. Others not yet given the Illuminated River treatment currently have light displays of their own. However, the new lights are much more ecologically sound, cutting down on light pollution and spill into the river. Also, they automatically switch off at 2am, unlike previous displays that shone the whole night through. The illuminations are programmed to shimmer and shine in individual patterns, with a tone of light much more pleasing to the eye than what was up before. So yes, they’re more eco-friendly and they’re prettier. And now each bridge will be lit individually, but be a piece of a whole. Singing their own part in a shared hymn. How can I see Illuminated River and how long will it last? Go down to the river at night and it’s there. It’s totally free and accessible to all. Take a stroll down the Thames to see a few on a single jaunt, or simply take a riverside seat to soak in the illuminations of one. They are designed to make the River Thames a more enjoyable place to be at night, whether you’re crossing a bridge, walking down the footpath that follows its course or just popping down on a bench for a bit. Remember, the illuminations switch off at 2am. Also, there are plenty of planned events running in conjunction with Illuminated River, including boat tours, kayak trips down the Thames, London taxi tours and riverside walk n’ talks. Check in with the What’s On part of the Illuminated River website to find out what’s happening when you plan to visit. In the long-term, Illuminated River is supposed to last 10 years. The lights apparently have a lifespan of 20 years. After 10 they will be gifted to the operator of each bridge who will then be responsible for their care and upkeep. So 10 years minimum. Maximum, who knows. Who came up with the idea? Illuminated River is a joint piece by artist Leo Villareal and architectural practice Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands. Their plan was selected after an international design competition held by the Mayor of London. They got an initial investment from the public purse, but are now reliant on private investors and partnerships in order to bring the artwork to life on the scale originally imagined. They’re on track so far. What have people been saying about Illuminated River? Response online has been very positive. Anyone who’s got an Instagram to tend is going to like these stylish, subtle, characterful illuminations. And they make night photography that little bit more fulfilling. To end, here’s Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announcing the project and ruminating on public art in London: “From the Fourth Plinth to Art on the Underground, our city has a rich heritage of showcasing public art... I am delighted that Illuminated River is bringing more free and accessible artwork to Londoners. The Thames has played a key role in the growth and development of our capital for centuries, and this unique artwork will help Londoners and visitors see it in a whole new way. The Illuminated River will celebrate the unique architecture and heritage of our bridges, showcase creativity, boost life at night and transform the way we think about the Thames.” Looking for more ways to admire the Thames? Have a look here.
Matthew Pearson
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Summer in London: Last Chance

We’ve come up with a last-minute article about last-minute things that last-minute you can do to get the most out of summer in London. We’re not big on technicalities here. If it’s sunnier and warmer than the majority of the year, then it’s probably still summer. So here are some ideas to get you going (you’d better get going quick). But first, an appropriate verse from Mr Bob Dylan’s Desolation Row, a perfect depiction of the twilight of the good times. They’re sweeping up the mounds of confetti, They’re taking the bunting down, The bouncy castle’s been deflated, The ice cream man’s left town. But there’s still time to see some of the following Events as you’re about to read, Who are point blank refusing to come inside Like a dog running off from its lead. And if you have any suggestions On stuff to do before the summer goes Just let us know with a comment in the Comment box below. Get Down by the River Totally Thames is a festival that encourages you to get outside (whatever the weather) to engage with and celebrate the city’s main water feature, the River Thames. The month-long festival of events kicks off on 1st September and wraps up on the 30th, meaning its perfectly placed to pick you up as the holidays draw to a close. Highlights include nighttime kayak tours on the river, a huge regatta challenge event on the 29th and concerts in the bascule chambers of Tower Bridge. The centrepiece artwork of the festival is The Ship of Tolerance, a boat with a sail made up of illustrations by 100 local schoolchildren. It will be bobbing up to the Tate Modern from the 4th September, but for now it’s at the Royal Docks. Find out more on the Totally Thames website. Go Royal Yeah, yeah, not very summery is it. We know. But this is still one the best things to do with your summer in London, particularly as it cools down. September is the last month in which you can enjoy a visit to Buckingham Palace and its wonderful state rooms. The Queen and her family are still on their summer holidays, so take up the chance to see the magnificent Grand Staircase and marvel at the cream and gold fixtures and fittings of the White Drawing Room. Don't forget to take a walk around the sprawling Palace Garden with its grand herbaceous border and rose garden. You can take a tour of Buckingham Palace up until the 29th September, so book now to avoid disappointment. Check availability on their website here. Stay Outside as Long as You Can OK, this is more like it. Just because it’s September doesn’t mean the sun’s completely gone and being outside is unbearable. You’re thinking of October. Until October, Summer in London is go. And where better to enjoy Summer in London than on one of the capital’s best rooftop bars. From Shoreditch’s buzzing Queen of Hoxton, to Lost in Brixton’s new jungle-themed roof terrace, there are plenty of above-ground areas where you can drink, eat and wave a long goodbye to the sun. Check out our recommendations for the best rooftop bars in London here. Music-wise, we’re really excited about The Nest Collective’s Campfire Club events taking place in September. They’ve been delighting intimate audiences all summer with folk acts and drinks around the campfire. There’s nothing quite like music round the flames as the nights draw in and these guys know it. Check out all their September events here. The capital’s excellent set of outdoor cinemas are not willing to give up on summer in London. Pop Up Screens’ enthusiasm for movies alfresco isn’t going anywhere any time soon, with the touring screen heading to Fulham, Holborn, Hammersmith, Greenwich and Parsons Green before September is through. Bohemian Rhapsody, The Incredibles 2, The Greatest Showman and Get Out are among some of the flicks they’re bringing with them. The Luna Cinema is also still going through September, with showings of The Meg, The Favourite and A Star is Born at various London venues. And the always-popular Rooftop Film Club are bringing screenings of Cruel Intentions, Rocketman, The Blair Witch Project and many more to Roof East, the Bussey Building and Queen of Hoxton. A Different Kind of Festival Season Well, we’ve already told you about the Totally Thames festival that is totally happening this September, but there are other fantastic to get out and enjoy as summer in London wraps up as slowly as we’ll allow it to. The Udderbelly Festival on the South Bank is enjoying its biggest and most popular year yet. It has plenty of family-friendly arts events, Udderbelly Lates evenings for adults-only and live podcast recordings this year. That’s in addition to its usual packed schedule of fantastic circus, comedy, cabaret and music performances. With tons of street food places available at each performance, this London pop-up has a real festival atmosphere that’ll help you forget that school is back and you’ve got deadlines coming up. Have a look-see here for more info on what to book. London Design Festival kicks off on 14th September, turning the city into its stage until the 22nd. There’s a ludicrous amount of stuff to see this year, with over 400 large-scale pieces of public art and installations, exhibitions and talks across the city. We’re particularly looking forward to seeing Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s Bamboo Ring outside the Victoria and Albert Museum, as well as Please Be Seated by Paul Cocksedge in Finsbury Square. Work out your festival itinerary here. And dovetailing seamlessly with the London Design Festival is Open House London. This annual festival of architecture that sees many of London’s architectural landmarks open their doors for free. This year, it’s taking place on the weekend of 21st-22nd September. Take a look inside the Greek Masonic Temple close to Liverpool Street, explore the iconic Custom House on the north bank of the Thames, or join the ballot to be in with a chance of heading up The Shard. Check out the extensive set of buildings open this year on the Open House London website. So, those are some of the things we’ll be doing to cling onto summer in London. If you’ve got any other ideas, let us know in the comments below.
Matthew Pearson

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