Westminster Abbey is a great Gothic church in the heart of London's Westminster, founded as a Benedictine monastery in 960 and rebuilt in its present form under Henry III in the 13th century. Since William the Conqueror in 1066 some 40 monarchs have been crowned here, and it remains the setting for royal weddings and state funerals — most recently the 2023 coronation of King Charles III. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and still a working church, it is visited both as a monument to a thousand years of British history and as a living place of worship.
The roughly 700-year-old Coronation Chair, which once held the Scottish Stone of Scone
The Lady Chapel of Henry VII, with its dazzling fan-vaulted ceiling and the tombs of Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots
The Shrine of St Edward the Confessor at the church's heart, surrounded by the tombs of medieval kings and queens
Poets' Corner, honouring Chaucer, Dickens, Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters, with Isaac Newton's memorial nearby in the nave
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries (opened 2018) in the medieval triforium, with views over the nave and a collection of royal funeral effigies
Good to know
RulesEntry is by timed ticket and often sells out in peak season. Book a dated, timed ticket in advance on the official site; prices and hours change, so confirm the latest details before you go.
RulesThe Abbey is closed to sightseeing on Sundays and religious festivals, when only services take place, and may close at short notice for special events — check the official notices before your visit.
MannersThis is an active place of worship, so quiet and respect are expected. Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, remove hats indoors, and stay silent if a service is in progress.
RulesPersonal photography is allowed in most areas, but flash, video, tripods and selfie sticks are not; photography is banned in the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor, St Faith's Chapel, the Diamond Jubilee Galleries and during services.
CautionThe Abbey sits beside Parliament Square and Big Ben in a busy tourist zone where you may meet unofficial ticket touts, petition or 'gilded statue' tip scams. Buy tickets only through the official Abbey webstore.
SafetyCrowds make this a spot for pickpockets, so keep bags in front of you. Large suitcases and big backpacks are not permitted, and the ancient stone floors are uneven — flat, comfortable shoes are best.
SeasonSummer (June–August) and school holidays bring long queues, so arrive right at opening; in winter the stone interior stays cold, so bring an extra layer.
Practical info
The nearest Underground station is Westminster (Jubilee, Circle and District lines), about a 5-minute walk, with St James's Park (Circle and District) also close, and buses such as the 11, 24, 88 and 148 stop nearby. The Abbey is generally open Mon–Fri 09:30–15:30 and Sat 09:30–15:00 (last admission), with Sundays for worship only; prices, hours and closures change often, so always confirm the latest details on the official website before visiting.
On-site reviews📍 Verified on-site
No reviews yet. If you are here, be the first to leave one.
