Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey featuring heritage architecture, religious elements and a church or cathedral
Westminster Abbey showing a church or cathedral, heritage architecture and night scenes
Westminster Abbey featuring a city, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral
Westminster Abbey which includes religious elements, night scenes and a church or cathedral
Westminster Abbey showing château or palace and heritage architecture


A historic place of worship and a venue for royal events dating back centuries, as well as England’s most iconic piece of religious architecture.

When you approach Westminster Abbey from the outside, you’ll be met with its towering yet austere façade, its medieval gothic towers and pointed spires looming over the surrounding grasslands. However, it’s only when you step inside that you’ll fully appreciate its grandeur and its rich heritage, having played host to 26 royal weddings and 38 coronations, as well as serving as the last resting place for some of the country’s most legendary historical figures.

The structure you’ll see when you visit dates back all the way to 1245, when Edward the Confessor’s 1042 abbey was renovated. It took many years for the abbey to come to be what it is today.

It will take half a day to fully explore the riches of this abbey, from the Coronation Chair to the Nave where tombs of old kings and queens remain. Other highlights include the memorial to Sir Winston Churchill by the West Door, and the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, which serves as a poppy-laden tribute to those who lost their lives in the First World War. Spend a moment in Poets’ Corner too where Shakespeare, T.S. Eliot and Dylan Thomas are among the literary giants buried here.

The 11th century vaulted undercroft of St. Peter is one of the abbey’s oldest parts, and here you’ll see royal effigies, death masks and clothing on display. You can also then explore the tranquil College Gardens outside.

Services at Westminster Abbey are powerful and popular, and ceremonies at Christmas require advance booking. If you simply wish to explore the building, free audio tours are available at the North Door guided tours are also available. Note that photography is not allowed inside the abbey.

Situated near Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in central London, Westminster Abbey is easy to reach by tube or bus, near to St. James’s Park and Westminster Underground stations. It is open every day apart from Sundays, when services are held.

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Reviews of Westminster Abbey

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
172
5 - Excellent 47%
4 - Good
161
4 - Good 44%
3 - Okay
29
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
5
1 - Terrible 1%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Don’t go on a Sunday, it’s shut to visitors

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

£23 per adult for admission is way too expensive so we didn't bother.Was prepared to pay up to £15.

5/5 - Excellent

Mandy

If you love history, this is a must! All the most famous people are either in a tomb here or have a memorial! If you love history but don't understand it, that's ok too. They give you headphones and a tablet that explains literally everything as you walk through! I was most excited to see Mary, Queen of Scots's tomb!

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller

Did not go to Westminster Abbey

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The reason for our visit, CASD 50 recognition.

1/5 - Terrible

John

Ichabod if ever He was there, you must be born again.

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