The best Westminster Abbey tours know a little secret: the abbey’s best stories don’t stay inside. Monarchs were crowned here, queens were buried here, and Parliament got its start in the Chapter House, and the plot keeps going in Parliament Square, at Buckingham Palace, and at the Tower of London. Trust me, you feel 1,000 years of history the moment you step inside, but it takes the neighbors to make the royal gossip add up. Here are five tours that cover the abbey and its famous neighborhood, plus who each one suits and what it costs.
Plenty of tours can get you through the abbey door, but these five earned their spot by doing the rest of the job well:
The abbey, done properly: every pick includes Westminster Abbey entry and a guided visit through 1,000 years of coronations, royal tombs, and famous graves.
More than the abbey: each tour adds at least one more royal landmark, from the Changing of the Guard to the Tower of London, so the abbey’s stories have somewhere to go.
Entry included: every tour books your abbey tickets for you, with timed or skip-the-line entry depending on the tour. Security checks still apply.
Guides who know the gossip: every tour has an expert English-speaking guide, and the group Westminster walking tour uses Blue Badge certified guides.
Groups you can actually hear: the two group tours cap at 20 guests, and the other three are private.
Quick Look: The Best Westminster Abbey Tours Compared
Here’s the cheat sheet, showing how the five picks stack up on time, access, and price before you dig into the details.
Private black cab, hotel pickup, and skip-the-line abbey and Tower entry
From around $1,520
The 5 Best Westminster Abbey Tours
Each of these Westminster Abbey tours pairs the abbey with at least one more royal headliner. Start with our top pick, or jump to the private options if you’d like a guide all to yourself.
Why Book the Westminster Abbey & Changing of the Guard Tour with Us?
This is the one we’d book first. A Blue Badge certified guide walks you past Big Ben and Downing Street and finds you a less crowded spot for the Changing of the Guard. Then you skip the long ticket lines at the abbey for coronations and royal tombs, so you get the whole royal storyline without giving up a full day.
Highlights:
Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of Westminster Abbey, with security checks still in place
Changing of the Guard or Horse Guard ceremony viewing
Exterior view of Big Ben
Visit to Downing Street and St. James’s Park
Expert English-speaking guide with Blue Badge certification
Why choose between Westminster and the Tower when you can do both? Timed entry gets you into the abbey without the wait. Later, a Thames clipper carries you past Tower Bridge and the Shard to the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels. Fair warning: you’ll earn your steps, so pack comfy shoes.
Highlights:
Timed entry and guided tour of Westminster Abbey
Changing of the Guard or Horse Guard ceremony viewing (certain days, weather permitting)
Why Book the Private London in a Day Tour with Us?
Same big day, your pace. Your private guide tailors the route to your interests, and the itinerary can be adapted for wheelchairs or limited mobility, which the group version can’t offer. Linger at Newton’s and Darwin’s graves in the abbey or spend extra time at the Tower, and nobody’s hurrying you along.
Why Book the Private Westminster Abbey Tour with Us?
Think of it as our top pick without the crowd. You start inside the abbey with your private guide, then follow the ceremonial route through St. James’s Park, London’s oldest royal park, to a prime viewpoint for the Changing of the Guard. On days without a ceremony, your guide swaps it for deeper storytelling around the palace and the park.
Your feet will thank you. A private guide and driver pick you up at your central London hotel in a traditional black cab, then cover the abbey, the Tower of London, and a panoramic drive past Big Ben and St. Paul’s without a single tube ride. It’s the only pick with hotel pickup and drop-off, and lunch is a flexible stop chosen to match your taste.
Highlights:
Private traditional black cab and driver
Skip-the-line entry to Westminster Abbey, with security checks still in place
Skip-the-line entry to the Tower of London
Hotel pickup and drop-off in central London
Panoramic drive with photo stops
More Westminster Abbey Tour Ideas: Breakfast, Express Combos, and WWII History
Already booked a pick, or want a different angle on Westminster? These add an abbey visit with breakfast and the London Eye, an express Tower and abbey combo, and a walk through Westminster that ends in Churchill’s wartime bunker.
Frequently Asked Questions About Westminster Abbey Tours
Are Westminster Abbey tours worth it?
Absolutely, especially if you want more than a stroll past old stone. With more than 3,000 people buried or commemorated inside, a guide turns a who’s-who you can’t decode into stories that stick. Still on the fence? Here’s why a Westminster Abbey tour is worth it.
What is the best Westminster Abbey tour?
The Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Changing of the Guard London Tour is our top pick for first-time visitors, since it pairs the abbey with Big Ben and the guard ceremony in three hours. Want the Tower of London too? The London in a Day Tour covers both in one day.
Do you need to book Westminster Abbey tours in advance?
Yes, and the earlier the better. Lines at the abbey can get long and tickets at the gate are limited, so booking a tour with entry included takes the guesswork out of your day.
How much does it cost to visit Westminster Abbey?
Standard adult tickets cost £32. Visitors 65+ and students pay £29, children ages 6 to 17 pay £14, and kids under 6 get in free. Guided group tours with entry included start from around $80 per person, while private tours run from around $580 to $1,520 depending on how much of London you add.
Can I visit Westminster Abbey without a tour?
You can, since the abbey is open to visitors Monday to Saturday and entry includes a multimedia guide. You’ll just be decoding the tombs on your own, which is why most first-timers bring a guide. Our guide on how to visit Westminster Abbey covers tickets, hours, and getting there.
Are there private Westminster Abbey tours?
Plenty. The Private Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard Tour, the Private London in a Day Tour, and the London Private Black Cab Tour all give you a guide to yourself, and each route can be adjusted for mobility needs.
How long does a Westminster Abbey tour take?
Plan on about two hours inside the abbey if you’re visiting on your own. The tours here run from 3 hours for the abbey and Changing of the Guard to 9 hours for the black cab tour, which adds the Tower of London and a drive across the city.
What should I see inside Westminster Abbey?
Start with the Coronation Chair, used at coronations since the 14th century. Then head to Poets’ Corner, the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, and the Lady Chapel, where Elizabeth I and Mary I share a tomb. For the full list, see our top things to see in Westminster Abbey.
Final Thoughts
Westminster Abbey has been keeping royal secrets for 1,000 years, and the right tour gets it to spill them. If you only book one, make it the Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Changing of the Guard London Tour. If you have a full day to spend, step up to the London in a Day Tour, or its private version, to add the Thames and the Tower of London. Either way, browse all our Westminster Abbey tours and lock in your date.
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Writer, editor, teacher, hiker, traveler, dreamer. With a book or pen in hand and a majestic sunset on the horizon, life is never short of fulfilling moments for Brie. She has a background in history and writing, and enjoys writing and editing for BobVila.com, The Tour Guy, and her own business.
