Near St Paul’s, choose Guildhall Art Gallery for free art and Roman archaeology, or book the free London Mithraeum for Roman history. For a story about the cathedral’s surroundings, the £5.99 Cobble St Paul’s Walk takes 75 minutes before breaks. Allow additional walking and onward-travel time.
The ideas at a glance
| Idea | Adult / listener price | Activity time | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre | FreeGeneral admission | 45–75 min | City of London |
| St Paul’s Cathedral audio walk — Cobble | £5.99£5.99 solo; cathedral admission not included | 75 min | City of London |
| London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE | FreeGeneral admission | 45–60 min | City of London |
| St Bartholomew the Great | FreeGeneral admission | 25–45 min | City of London |
| Dr Johnson’s House | £10Adult admission | 45–60 min | City of London |
| Bank of England Museum | FreeGeneral admission | 45–60 min | City of London |
| Temple Church | £5Adult admission | 30–45 min | City of London |
Start with the closest fit to your time and interests. The activities span the Square Mile, including Smithfield and Fleet Street; check the walk from the cathedral to your chosen entrance. Visit estimates exclude travel, queues and the time needed to reach a train.
Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre
For roughly an hour of art and archaeology, this is a strong first choice. Book free admission if you need certainty, and choose which part of the collection to focus on. Allow additional walking time from St Paul’s.
Know before you go: Free booking recommended. General admission.
When: Daily 10am–5pm; last entry 4.45pm. See official special closures.
Closed all day on 21 October and 16 November 2026. On 13 November, the Main Gallery closes at noon and the Undercroft, Heritage Gallery and Amphitheatre at 3.30pm. On 14 November, the gallery opens at 11am. Check the official calendar before travelling.
Details checked 7 September 2026 · per adult
St Paul’s Cathedral audio walk — Cobble
For a story focused on the cathedral and its surroundings: begin with Panyer Boy near St Paul’s station. The 75 min audio Walk costs £5.99 per listener, or £11.98 for two. It does not include cathedral admission.
Nearest station: St Paul’s
The first scene is Panyer Boy, by Panyer Alley near St Paul’s station. Open the Walk to locate it.
Know before you go: Buy in the Cobble app. £5.99 solo; cathedral admission not included.
When: Self-guided; some garden gates and public areas have opening restrictions.
Details checked 13 October 2026 · per listener
London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE
For Roman history with a more atmospheric presentation, head towards Walbrook. Reserve a free slot to avoid depending on walk-in capacity. Its hour-long visit works better when you have more than an hour door to door.
Know before you go: Free booking recommended. General admission.
When: Tue–Sat 10am–6pm; Sun noon–5pm; term-time Wed from 12.30pm. Closed Mon; first Thu until 8pm.
Details checked 7 September 2026 · per adult
St Bartholomew the Great
For a smaller, older interior, head north towards Smithfield. A short visit can feel complete without covering a whole museum. Worship and sightseeing schedules matter, particularly on Sunday.
Know before you go: Visit around services. General admission.
When: Mon–Sat 10am–5pm; Sunday between services.
Details checked 7 September 2026 · per adult
Dr Johnson’s House
For literary history: head west into the lanes off Fleet Street. Allow time for the stairs and several floors. If you want the lower-priced offer, check the qualifying times below.
Know before you go: Book online or walk in. Adult admission. £5 · Fridays, 2–5pm — Friday 2–5pm; last entry 4.30pm.
When: Tue–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun noon–4pm. Closed Mon. Check occasional functions.
Details checked 16 September 2026 · per adult
Bank of England Museum
For something different on a weekday, make money the subject of your visit. The museum estimates about an hour to look around. Most weekends are not an option, and dated closures override regular hours.
Know before you go: No booking for ordinary small visits. General admission.
When: Mon–Fri 10am–5pm; last entry 4.30pm. Third Thursday until 8pm.
Friday 27 November 2026: the museum closes at 3pm. Check the official visitor information for additional special closures.
Details checked 7 September 2026 · per adult
Temple Church
For a longer wander west, use the Temple as your destination. The £5 church visit makes a good stopping point, but variable sightseeing hours mean it needs a little more planning than an outdoor route.
Know before you go: Check sightseeing hours for your date. Adult admission.
When: Variable sightseeing hours; use the official daily calendar.
Details checked 7 September 2026 · per adult
Put a plan together
With 30 minutes: choose a brief exterior wander near the cathedral, using the time for details and views. With 60 minutes: choose a short church visit and leave walking time. With 90 minutes: choose one of the audio Walk, Guildhall or the Mithraeum; check the entrance and booking first. Before a Blackfriars train, protect your return buffer.
A few useful answers
Does any price here include St Paul’s admission?
No. These are separate nearby activities. The Cobble price purchases an audio walk; a cathedral sightseeing ticket is a different product.
What works at the weekend?
Guildhall, the Mithraeum and St Bartholomew can work subject to their schedules. The Bank of England Museum is normally closed at weekends. Check each record before choosing.
About the details
We check details against official sources, but hours, prices and availability can change before this guide is updated. Please check the official website before travelling or booking.
Prices are in GBP per adult or per listener, unless explained otherwise. Food, transport and optional extras cost more. Time estimates exclude travel and queues. Official source links appear with every idea; each activity page contains its full checking record.
London for a Tenner is published by Cobble Media, which also makes Cobble. Read about the publisher and how we choose recommendations.
Read our selection and price policy, or suggest a correction.