Designed in the 17th Century by Sir Christopher Wren, St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic buildings in London’s skyline. As well as being a working church and important Christian place of worship, St Paul’s offers a whole host of exciting and enlightening events for people of all ages.

We are thrilled to have St Paul’s as a part of this years Big Draw Festival. We caught up with Head of Schools and Family Learning, Charlie Rowbotham, to talk about how drawing can help us look closely, upcoming events at the Cathedral, and golden pineapples. 

Interview: Lucia Vinti in conversation with Charlie Rowbotham

St Paul’s is such a famous landmark and historically important part of London’s skyline - could you tell us an interesting fact that people may not know about the Cathedral? 

On the top of each of the western towers at the front of St. Paul’s Cathedral you will find two large golden pineapples! The pineapples were added to the design of the new St. Paul’s Cathedral, after the Great Fire of London in 1666, as a symbol of welcome and hospitality.  Also, out of 400 people on the payroll for building St. Paul’s there was only one woman, she was called Jane Brewer.  She was a coppersmith and responsible for making the two golden pineapples!    

That’s so interesting, we’ll make sure to look out for those pineapples on our next visit! 

And what about yourself? What is your role within St Paul’s, and what does a day in the life look like working at such a well-known institution?

I am the Head of Schools and Family Learning, this means I am responsible for the team who works with children and young people.  This includes schools and colleges, and also families in the school holidays.

Working in a cathedral can be diverse, no two days are ever the same!  We are still first and foremost a Christian place of worship, so we may host a televised service for the nation one day and then the team could be teaching about any number of curriculum topics the next!  We cover all curriculum subjects and ages in our work with schools and colleges. Our family events theme around what is happening more widely for visitors in the Cathedral or the City of London.

You’ve started an initiative called ‘Draw While You Explore’ that’s taking place this autumn. Could you let our readers know a little more about it? 

We’re so excited to be joining the Big Draw this year!  We are offering all visitors the opportunity to pick up a ‘walking sketchbook’ and take some time to explore St. Paul’s in a new way.  The fold out sketchbook allows visitors to draw smaller pictures which then join together, when unfolded, to make a larger abstract artwork.     

That sounds brilliant! How do you think drawing can help visitors get more out of their visit to St Paul’s?

The building is so vast and impressive that sometimes we need to be invited to stop and really absorb the details.  There are some very small beautiful areas that may be hidden in a side chapel or within our wonderful mosaic flooring in the Crypt.  We’ll be giving visitors ideas of where they can pause and see some interesting parts of the building that you may otherwise miss on your visit. 

Is there any other exciting events happening at St Paul’s over the coming months that you’d like to share?

2023 will see a full year of events around Sir Christopher Wren, the architect who designed St. Paul’s Cathedral after the Great Fire of London destroyed Old St. Paul’s in 1666.  

There’ll be opportunities to explore lots of areas of the Cathedral not regularly open to the public, including Wren’s ‘Great Model’ and the Geometric Stairs. Visitors will get to see how it was designed and how Wren tested out his ideas in both 2D and 3D.  There will also be brand new fully accessible family trails and tours, as well as new hands on activities for all the family.

Many artists have depicted St Pauls through drawings and paintings throughout the years. Do you have any favourites?

There’s so many!  It makes it very difficult to choose!  I would actually say that I just love the diversity of the way so many artists have captured St. Paul’s.  From the destruction of Old St. Paul’s in the Great Fire of London, or the historic maps of John Speed, people for different reasons over hundreds of years have been drawn to capture the image of this iconic building.  I have to admit I do love the artwork created for the Transport for London posters, as well as old travel advertising, but a personal favourite is John Piper’s interpretation of the front of St. Paul’s.  

What motivated you to take part in The Big Draw Festival, and what do you hope to achieve?

I have been a huge advocate for the Big Draw throughout my career, I trained as an art teacher and know the benefits that drawing can bring to all ages.  Drawing can improve health and wellbeing, as well as socialising and meeting new people.  It can be that incentive to motivate you to get out and explore.  Drawing can lead you to discover new places.

Drawing can open up so many opportunities and I have seen first-hand how organisations running the Big Draw can be that introduction to both adults and children to this wonderful creative outlet.  

Thank you so much Charlie!

Draw While You Explore runs at St Paul's Cathedral from the 22nd - 29th October 

Check out upcoming events at St Paul's Cathedral here! 

Registrations are open for The Big Draw Festival 2022: Come Back to Colour! Find out more about the benefits of becoming an organiser here and other ways to support The Big Draw's mission here.