One of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring sights in all of London is St. Paul’s Cathedral, especially when lit up at night. Seen from the South Bank, its crowns the cityscape with Sir Christopher Wren’s dignified and iconic dome and sets the stage for romantic, historical and ennobled London all wrapped into one. This unparalleled view has graced numerous films, has been captured by countless cameras—and can be enjoyed from your accommodation in London.
Perhaps one of the more recent films to make exquisite use of this landmark is “Closer” (2004), which shows cinematic London in all its glory. Making prodigious use of the South Bank, just across the Thames from St. Paul’s, as well as the National Portrait Gallery, the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane and the nearby, hidden oasis of Postman’s Park, the movie captures the city’s changing moods and singular beauty. It also portrays up close and personal looks into London’s “tourist attractions,” such as the London Aquarium on the South Bank or Whiteley’s shopping center, which are equally well-loved by locals.
Yet among all of these scenic spots (and the preternaturally good looks of the film’s stars, Clive Owen, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts and Jude Law), St. Paul’s Cathedral somehow manages to stand alone in its majesty. From its stunning white exterior to the peaceful Whispering Gallery below its dome (where words whispered against the wall are supposed to travel around and back to you), all the way up 530 stairs to the Golden Gallery, which rewards visitors with a glimmering view of London, St. Paul’s is an architectural treasure. Wren’s own epitaph in the cathedral’s crypt sums it up best: “If you seek his monument, just look around you.” The famous cathedral is located in the City.
A stay in a New York Habitat vacation rental in the City will put you even closer to St. Paul’s than its stunning depictions in “Closer” do. You will also be within easy walking distance of the not-to-be-missed Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Royal Exchange and all of the activities and attractions of the South Bank, including the British Film Institute, the Hayward Gallery and Royal Festival Hall. There is also a wealth of cafés, restaurants, shops and pubs in the neighborhood (including The Blackfriar, a structural gem in its own right and one of Britian’s best public houses).
A few suggested apartment rentals in the City are:
• A lovely 1-bedroom vacation rental in City-Islington (LN-224) on the fifth floor of a modern apartment building with elevator and porter. Located between Queen’s Street and Southwark Bridge, this perfectly situated flat puts you within easy walking distance of the riverbank and many of the city’s most popular attractions.
•A beautiful and spacious 2 Bedroom Rental in City (LN-843), is just a short walk from St. Paul’s. This 1,248-square-foot (116-square-meter) penthouse apartment is serviced and features all modern appliances, a terrace, gym, and elevator.
• A super-deluxe 1-bedroom vacation rental in City-Islington (LN-650), located in The City’s Square Mile, or “the Wall Street of the U.K.” This historic property is adjacent to Playhouse Yard, the former site of Shakespeare’s Winter Theatre, which was originally a Dominican monastery. The refurbished flat retains its original charm while boasting modern furnishings and features.
For a close-up view of London at its cinematic best, stay in a vacation rental near the incomparable St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Be sure to check out our other choices for cinematic London, and leave a comment below to let us know which parts of the city you most want to see on celluloid—or would even like to film yourself.
I had just seen the movie “Closer” before I went to London, and it really did show London in a great and different way, much like New York City is often depicted in films. So much to say about it, but just wanted to write on here and say that if you have the chance to go to London, take it!