Entry to St.Paul’s Cathedral in central London is free for wheelchair users and one assistant (although a small donation will be greatly received – the upkeep of St.Paul’s Cathedral is reliant on visitors’ donations – and as there have been no visitors for the last few years, donations are needed now more than ever).

St.Paul’s Cathedral is currently constructing a permanent accessible entrance on the north side of the Cathedral, providing inclusive access for visitors, staff and volunteers. The construction, the most significant external change to St.Paul’s Cathedral in its 300 year history, will consist of two symmetrical ramps either side of a central staircase to the north transept door.

And although the main work is now complete, work to build a portico on the interior of the doorway (in keeping with the style of this magnificent building) is still ongoing (it is expected to be complete by late June 2022).

For the time being though, wheelchair access is via the south churchyard entrance. Where a lift provides direct access to both the Cathedral floor and the crypt (where the wheelchair-accessible toilets are located).

There is a temporary ramp on the south side of the Cathedral while the permanent ramp is being constructed at the northern entrance – but this temporary ramp allows access to the Cathedral floor only.

In the interior of St.Paul’s Cathedral, both the quire and sacrarium on the Cathedral floor have a small user-operated chairlift.

Access to the Whispering Gallery, the Stone Gallery and the Golden Gallery is by stairs though. However, a “flythrough” video shows you the view from the Galleries.

But worry not. There is a wee alternative way of seeing St.Paul’s Cathedral from on high, and from very near. While the stair-climbers are busy heading up to the Whispering Gallery, wheelchair users should trundle around to One New Change (a shopping centre), which has a completely wheelchair accessible rooftop terrace – which looks over the rear of St.Paul’s Cathedral.

So your wee bonus is a rooftop London view OF St.Paul’s Cathedral –  a view that you can’t see FROM St.Paul’s Cathedral.

And there’s also a fantastic bar/restaurant up there too. So a view of St.Paul’s Cathedral while sipping an amazing cocktail, or while eating some equally amazing food?

Not a bad alternative I suppose!

Photo credit: St.Paul’s Cathedral at night, seen from the Millennium Bridge over the River Thames in central London – Pixabay.

See the Wheelchair Accessible London Guide for details of other wheelchair accessible attractions, restaurants and hotels in central London.