St Paul’s Cathedral

• The fascinating history of St Paul’s Cathedral, illustrated with rare items from city and cathedral archives

Designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren, St Paul’s Cathedral is an iconic part of the London skyline and a symbol of the hope and resilience of the city and nation it serves. Since the first service was held here in 1697, Wren’s masterpiece has been where people and events of overwhelming importance to the country have been celebrated, mourned and commemorated. Over the centuries, St Paul’s has changed to reflect shifting tastes and attitudes. The magnificent mosaics are the result of Queen Victoria’s mid-19th-century complaint that the interior was ‘most dreary, dingy and undevotional’, and the American Memorial Chapel stands behind the High Altar in an area that was bomb-damaged during World War Two. This glorious new guide is divided into three sections encompassing the history and architecture of this world-famous cathedral, a detailed look at all areas open to the public, and all aspects of the cathedral’s important work today.