Westminster Abbey

A Westminster Abbey tour is like taking a walk through British history. Explore independently with an audio guide, on tours led by vergers (church officials), or with a private guide. Tickets include access to all the main areas of the church. The London Pass also grants access to Westminster Abbey.

The abbey is among the most visited sights in London and the United Kingdom, and can easily be seen on city highlight tours that also stop at the Tower of London, Parliament Square, and other world-famous sights. Westminster walking tours are great for visiting the abbey and surrounding area.

• While Westminster Abbey tickets are free, booking in advance helps avoid long lines, which can be up to an hour long.

• The abbey is a place of worship—visitors should dress modestly.

• Visitors cannot take photos or videos within the abbey.

• Some, but not all, areas of the abbey are wheelchair-accessible. Wheelchair users should enter through the North Door.

• On-site facilities include restrooms, a café, and a gift shop.

Westminster Abbey is in the city of Westminster near the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, a short stroll from the Thames riverfront. The nearest tube stations are St. James's Park and Westminster. The visitor entrance to the abbey is at the West Gate of the North Green.

Westminster Abbey is open to visitors Monday through Saturday, and to worshippers on Sundays and religious holidays. To avoid crowds, arrive early on a weekday. To hear the Abbey Choir perform, time your visit for the daily Evensong at 5pm on weekdays and 3pm on weekends. Special after-hours tours also run on Wednesday evenings, typically one of the quietest times to visit.

If you're interested in the highlights, head straight for the Royal Tombs of Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. Then, see the 13th-century cloisters and the Poets' Corner, final resting place of numerous creatives and writers. Don't miss memorials devoted to Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare, and other notable historical figures. For the full experience, end your visit with a stroll through the College Garden and traditional afternoon tea at the Cellarium Café.

Yes, you’re allowed to visit Westminster Abbey. It's open to the public from Monday through Saturday. Sundays and religious holidays are reserved for religious services. You can buy tickets on the day at the door, but it’s best to book in advance to guarantee entry and avoid long lines.

Plan on spending at least 1–2 hours exploring Westminster Abbey. There’s plenty to see inside the royal church, from soaring Gothic architecture to royal tombs and burial places of famous English writers. Verger-guided tours take about 1.5 hours, while multimedia-guided tours take about an hour.

Yes, it’s free to visit Westminster Abbey if you want to attend a service or pray. While neither grants you access to the tombs or monuments, they give you a taste of the abbey’s splendor. If you’re not praying or joining a full service, consider the regular Evensong services, which feature choir performances.

At Westminster Abbey, don’t miss the Coronation Chair, used in coronation ceremonies since 1308, and the Poets’ Corner, where writers such as Charles Dickens and Geoffrey Chaucer are buried. Don’t skip the grave of the Unknown Warrior, which contains the body of an unknown British soldier from the First World War.

Yes, you can take personal photos inside Westminster Abbey, with some restrictions. You can’t record videos, or use flashes, extra lighting, selfie sticks, or tripods. Photography is banned during services and in the shrine of Edward the Confessor, St. Faith’s Chapel, and The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries.

While Westminster Abbey has no official dress code, visitors should mind what they wear and respect the place of worship. Avoid over-casual clothing and hats. The abbey is chilly in winter, so plan to dress warmly. Practical footwear is helpful for navigating the uneven floors.