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.
Pro Tip: Want a stress‑free start? Our London Walking Tour with Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard lets you breeze past the queue and catch the Guards’ march from the best perch in St James’s Park.
Skip to What You Came Here For
How to Get to Westminster Abbey
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.
- The Grave of the Unknown Warrior: Soil from a French battlefield, framed by red poppies, and never to be stepped on.
- Poets’ Corner: Final resting place or memorial site of Dickens, Kipling, the Brontë sisters, and Shakespeare.
- Lady Chapel: Home to the tombs of Elizabeth I and Mary I—stacked one on top of the other.
- Chapter House: The birthplace of England’s Parliament. Don’t miss the stained glass or the UK’s oldest surviving door.
- Pyx Chamber: The oldest room in London. 11th-century tiles, medieval chests, and heavy treasury doors.
- Queen’s Window: A bright and modern stained-glass design by David Hockney in his Yorkshire style.
Interessante Fact: The Cosmati Pavement in front of the High Altar has been called the most important medieval mosaic in Britain.
👉 By privy to the intriguing stories behind each on our Private Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard Tour.
Best Westminster Abbey Tours
With over 1,000 years of stories, this is a place best experienced with someone who knows the secrets.
London Walking Tour with Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard | 3 hrs | €€
Skip-the-line Abbey entry, expert guide, best view of the Changing of the Guard.
London in a Day Tour with Westminster Abbey and Tower of London | 7 hrs | €€€
See Westminster, Changing of the Guard, Thames cruise, and Tower of London in one epic day.
Private Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard Tour | 3 hrs | €€€€
Set your own pace—ask all the nerdy questions you want.
Premium Westminster Abbey Tour with Breakfast and London Eye | 3.5 hrs | €€€
Enjoy pastries in a 14th-century Cellarium, enter Westminster Abbey through Dean’s Yard, and take a spin on the London Eye.
👉 Not ready to book? Check out our guide to the Best Westminster Abbey Tours to Take and Why.
Tickets & Hours
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.
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.
👉 Hungry for more? See our picks for the Best Restaurants Near Westminster Abbey.
How to Visit Westminster Abbey: Final Thoughts
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.
👉 Still planning your trip? Check out:
- Best London Tours to Take in 2025 and Why
- Best Food Tours in London to Take and Why
- Where to Stay in London
- London Podcast Episode
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Deciding where to stay at a great hotel in London can take some effort since it’s a massive city. Make your decision easier with our list of the best neighborhoods and hotels in London.
