You’ve seen it on TV for royal weddings and state funerals, but turning up in person can be chaos: slow‑moving lines, confusing one‑way routes, and 1,000 years of history that’s hard to decode on your own. This how to visit Westminster Abbey guide sorts all that out—skip‑the‑line tactics, what actually matters once you’re inside, and where to refuel afterward.
Getting here is straightforward, if you know the right route.
On Foot: 5 min from Big Ben, 10 min from Buckingham Palace via The Mall, 15 min from Trafalgar Square.
Tube: Circle, District, or Jubilee lines to Westminster station—exit 4 drops you at the West Door.
Bus: Routes 11, 24, 148, 211, N136 all stop at Parliament Square.
River Boat: Disembark at Westminster Pier and walk three minutes past the Houses of Parliament.
Taxi/Uber: Tell the driver “The Sanctuary, Westminster Abbey”—road closures around Parliament Square are common, so you may walk the last 100 m.
Interessante Fact: The Abbey’s main door (c. 1050) is the oldest in England—and was long believed to have once been sheathed in human skin. This legend was debunked only in 2005.
👉 Want minimal navigation worries? Our London in a Day Tour starts right outside the Abbey and bundles in a Thames cruise to the Tower of London.
Top Things to See in the Abbey
If you wander without a plan, you’ll miss the most jaw-dropping details. Here’s what to keep an eye out for.
The Coronation Chair: Used for every royal coronation since 1308. Cromwell even used it, despite being anti-royal.
Since timed slots launched in 2023, walk‑ups sell out most mornings.
Opening Hours (2025)
Mon – Fri: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Sat: 9 am – 1 pm
Sun: open for services only (free to attend, no sightseeing)
Closed: April 25 – May 7 for coronation prep; Dec 25
Ticket Prices
Adults: £29
Seniors/Students: £26
Children 6‑17: £13 | Under 6: Free
Free Audio Guide included; collect at the entrance.
👉 Our tours always include timed‑entry tickets, so you just show up and head inside.
What to Skip
You won’t have time for everything. Here’s what most people regret doing.
Winging it without a guide or map: You’ll miss the major tombs and won’t know why they matter.
Assuming the queue will move fast: It doesn’t.
Trying to see it all in 30 minutes: Allow at least two hours.
Relying solely on the audio guide: Great supplement, but not a substitute for a guide.
Interessante Fact: Oliver Cromwell was buried here, then dug up and posthumously executed. His head was later displayed on a spike.
Secret Tip for Visiting Westminster Abbey
Want to avoid crowds? Book the 9:00 AM slot on our Premium Westminster Abbey Tour with Breakfast and London Eye. You’ll be in before most, enjoy a light breakfast of pastries, coffee, and tea, and take a ride on the London Eye all before noon.
Interessante Fact: The Abbey gardens were once used to grow fruit and healing herbs for the monastic community.
Where to Eat Nearby
You’ll need fuel after diving into centuries of history. Here’s where to eat without straying far.
Photo courtesy of Cellarium Cafe & Terrace
Cellarium Cafe & Terrace | ££ | Inside the Cloisters Elegant English breakfasts, loose-leaf teas, and light mains in a modern space with medieval flair.
Westminster Abbey Kiosk | £ | Directly outside Hot drinks, pastries, and grab-and-go sandwiches next to the Abbey Shop.
Café at Storey’s Gate | ££ | Healthy with a view Great lunch spot overlooking St. James’s Park. Sustainability-focused.
Westminster Abbey isn’t just a stop for royal superfans—it’s where England comes to life.
Book a tour, take your time, and let a guide decode the symbols, tombs, and traditions inside. It’s one of the most powerful places in London—don’t rush it.
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