Image credit: The National Churches Trust / Wikimedia Commons · Main + wayfinding: CC BY 2.0 · 2014-02-13 ↗
St Paul’s Triforium: Hidden London above the Cathedral
St Paul’s · St Paul’s → Newgate → Smithfield → Clerkenwell · Cathedral hidden interior / Wren / library / architecture
Story
Most visitors to St Paul's Cathedral tend to gaze up at its mighty dome, descend into the Crypt, or perhaps climb to the public galleries. Yet, another dimension of St Paul's exists, high above the nave and largely unseen: the Triforium. This is not a conventionally open public space, but a sequence of upper rooms and passages that offer unique perspectives of the Cathedral, accessible only through special tours. Such a tour allows exploration of some of Christopher Wren's architectural treasures, including the eighteenth-century Library with its wooden bookshelves, the 'Great Model' – a large-scale model revealing an earlier, grander vision for the Cathedral's design – the spectacular Geometric Staircase with its self-supporting steps, and a dizzying view down the nave from above, directly over the Great West Doors. These spaces reveal the complexity and genius of Wren's design from a privileged vantage point.
What to look for
Look for the Cathedral's 'Great Model', the venerable eighteenth-century Library, the ingenious Geometric Staircase, and the breathtaking view down the main nave from high above the West Doors.
Secret detail
The Triforium offers a view of the Cathedral from a perspective not designed for the general visitor, revealing service spaces and intricate structural solutions hidden from plain sight.
Where exactly
Enter through the main visitor entrance of St Paul’s Cathedral. The Triforium has no independent street access; visiting requires a valid ticket for a specific tour.
Orientation
From the street, do not attempt to locate the Triforium; focus on the Cathedral as your reference point and enter only with your booked interior tour.
Why it matters
Visiting the Triforium offers a deeper understanding of St Paul's architecture and Christopher Wren's ambition, showing how he conceived the Cathedral beyond the usual public experience, and revealing often-unseen treasures.
Access & opening
Tour dates are selective and can sell out; worship and special events can alter sightseeing access.
Cathedral sightseeing ticket required; Treasures Tour is an additional paid tour. Check live prices.
We never show live status. Check opening hours before you go.
Accessibility
Triforium requires 141 steps and has no lift; check Cathedral accessibility for the rest of the building.