St Paul's Cathedral
The world-famous dome of St Paul's Cathedral is an iconic feature of the London skyline. Step inside and enjoy the cathedral's awe-inspiring interior.
YHA London St Pauls
London, EC4V 5AB
Great
(260 reviews)
Overview
Re-purposed after nearly 100 years as a school for choirboys, this remarkable building boasts the ultimate location for exploring one of London's most fascinating tourist attractions - it's literally seconds from St Paul’s cathedral.
Steeped in history, this hostel includes old-school choirboy graffiti (in a wood-panelled classroom no less), atmospheric spiral staircases and an elaborate exterior. And of course, there's nothing quite like waking up to those cathedral bells. The hostel’s central location is also great for exploring London on foot, with many of London's famous attractions close by.
Why guests love YHA London St Pauls
Accommodation at YHA London St Pauls
The hostel
YHA London St Paul's has 213 beds across 5 x single rooms, 6 x double/twin rooms 8 x 3 bedded rooms, 9 x 4 bed rooms, 8 x 5 bed rooms, 6 x 6 bed rooms, 1 x 7 bed room, 4 x 8 bed rooms, 1 x 10 bed room and 1 x 11 bed room. If the charm of the cathedral bells disturb you, please ask our reception team for a complimentary pair of earplugs to ensure you enjoy a peaceful night's sleep.
There is a seating area in reception as well as lots of information about London and a shop selling snacks and drinks. There is also a TV lounge with comfortable seating and a library of books which have all been donated to the hostel. Our large dining area is perfect for evening meals and breakfasts, and we have a laundry room available for washing and drying clothes.
Please note that we have no self-catering facilities at this hostel.
Food and drink at YHA London St Pauls
Things to do around YHA London St Pauls
Buckingham Palace
Home to the Queen and steeped in history, Buckingham Palace is a must see for any visitor.
The Houses of Parliament
Guy Fawkes once tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and, whilst you won't find any gunpowder there anymore, it is still home to the UK government and some often explosive discussions between the
The British Museum
The British Museum houses a vast collection of artefacts and treasures, many of them acquired as the British Empire grew.
Little Chelsea
This vibrant shopping quarter has all the vibe of its namesake. You'll find over 50 indie retailers for fab vintage finds, along with restaurants and cafes to relax in.
Ride London
Prudential Ride London is an annual 100 mile cycling trip.
Free London walking tour
Starts every day in Green Park at 11am. This free guided London walking tour is the perfect introduction to London history and the area often referred to as “royal London”.
Camden walking tour
This Camden Markets and Music Legends Tour is no ordinary walking tour.
East End and street art tour
Discover London’s most creative and culturally diverse area.
British Museum Tour
There are many ways to explore a museum.
London Landmarks Half Marathon
We are thrilled to be a charity partner of the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2019 which promises to be a day like no other. This race takes place through Westminster and the City with 10,000+ runn
Facilities
General
- Cot available
- Free wi-fi
Essentials
- Laundry
- Lounge
- Luggage store
Entertainment
- Board games
- TV
Accommodation options
- Private rooms available
Food & drink
- Group catering available
- Licensed bar
- Meals available
Transportation & parking
- Near underground
- Near train station
Other YHA products
- Meeting Rooms & Corporate Hire
- YHA School Trips
Need to know
Check in: From 14.00
Check out: Before 10.00
Towels and toiletries: Towels and toiletries are not provided but are available to hire or purchase from reception.
Parking: There is no parking at the hostel.
YHA London St Pauls - Access Statement
(PDF download - 109.5 KB)
Volunteering
Volunteering with YHA is a fantastic way to have fun, learn new skills, boost your CV and travel to different places. We have a variety of different opportunities to choose from and volunteering roles to suit everyone.
The tasks are varied and in return you will meet some great people, who both work and stay in our hostels, as well as enjoying your time off discovering the local area and attractions.
You can find out more and apply to volunteer at this hostel on the volunteering website.
History
YHA London St Paul's is in a grade 2 listed building in the City Of London and the former St Paul's Cathedral choir boys school. It is clad in London's signature Portland Stone (quarried from the Isle of Portland, off Dorset's coast) and displays some beautiful sgraffito elevations.
The school and building are steeped in a tumultuous history: the original Choir School dates back to the early 1100s, but was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666. It had several reincarnations, and this was the fourth. The building was designed with English Baroque style architecture in mind, following Sir Christopher Wren's vision and love for Baroque aesthetics.
The Choir School moved premises in the 1960s because the building was under threat of demolition from a road-widening scheme but, fortunately, rather than being demolished, it was instead converted into a Youth Hostel.
Meet the team
Having worked for YHA for over five years, I can honestly say this is the most enjoyable job I have had. The chance to meet people from all over the world who have all sorts of stories to tell, from backpackers to life members and my favourite - the school groups. Sometimes it can be the school childrens' first time away from home, and we can make their visit a memorable one.
Manager recommends: A visit to St Paul’s Cathedral is a must! It's just opposite our Youth Hostel, so you don't need to go far to witness one of London's most majestic buildings - a truly breathtaking piece of architecture.
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