St Paul's - Cathedral & Sights

Essential Intel

St Paul's Cathedral Gardens is open every day from 6am to 8pm in the summer and 6am to 4pm in the winter, unless a special event or service is taking place, in which case the garden may be closed. For details, please telephone: 020 7246 8335.

The Trail also visits Postman's Park, which is open all year round from 8am to 7pm or dusk, whichever is earlier, and is closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around St Paul's Cathedral & Sights, with Explorers helping Doug Upperbone and the Exploration Society follow a curious map around the City of London and solve the puzzle.

The quest covers 2 miles and should take around 1.5 hours to complete. You'll follow clues through City centre streets and pavements, including St Paul's Cathedral Gardens, the Guildhall area and Postman's Park, before the route loops back to St Paul's at the end.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. There are steps at Old Change Court, but you can avoid them by continuing on the pavement and heading left at the top. There is also step-free access later by going via New Change and, near Postman's Park, by going along the right hand side of Little Britain.

The city roads can be extremely busy, so use pedestrian crossings where possible and stay alert for vehicles, including cyclists who travel at speed.

Getting There

By car: Begin your expedition outside the City of London Tourist Information Office, across the road from St Paul's Churchyard (EC4M 8BX), using ///rock.fever.skills.

By public transport: The closest underground stations are St Pauls (Central Line) and Mansion House (Circle and District Lines). From there, make your way to the area outside the City of London Tourist Information Office, across the road from St Paul's Churchyard, to begin the hunt.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are available at the cathedral and at several points throughout the route, so Explorers should have opportunities for a comfort stop during the quest.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

If four-legged companions are joining your City adventure, keep them close throughout. 🐾

The route follows busy City centre streets and pavements, with extremely busy roads and cyclists who travel at speed, so leads are sensible around crossings, traffic and busier stretches. There are also steps at Old Change Court, with a step-free alternative available.

Food & Drink Stops

Map-reading around the City can work up an appetite. There are plenty of chances to stop for refreshments and pick up snacks along the way.

If you'd rather bring your own supplies, pack a picnic to enjoy in the park at Clue 16.

Want to Make a Day of It?

St Paul's Cathedral Gardens

The Trail goes through St Paul's Cathedral Gardens, making it a natural place to slow the quest down and enjoy a greener pause among the City sights. The garden is open every day from 6am to 8pm in the summer and 6am to 4pm in the winter, unless a special event or service is taking place, in which case the garden may be closed. For details, please telephone: 020 7246 8335.

Guildhall Roman Amphitheatre

Keep your Explorer eyes peeled in front of the Guildhall: the circular line there marks the outline of the Roman amphitheatre, whose remains lie below ground level. It is well worth a visit via the Art Gallery, free at time of writing.

Postman's Park

The route visits Postman's Park, home to the Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice. The memorial was the idea of Frederic George Watts, a Victorian painter and sculptor, and the work was later brought back to prominence in the film 'Closer'. The park is open all year round from 8am to 7pm or dusk, whichever is earlier, and is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Temple Bar

Near the end of the Trail, the route squeezes through the arches at Temple Bar. It's a fun final City feature to enjoy as your Adventurers close in on the last stretches of Doug Upperbone's curious map.