Westminster Abbey, situated in the heart of London, is a historical marvel with its awe-inspiring gothic architecture. A must-visit landmark, this iconic structure has been witness to centuries of coronations and monumental events. Delve into the...

Also Known As

Westminster Abbey

Founded On

1269

Founded By

John of Gloucester, Henry of Reyns, Robert of Beverley, Ptolemy Dean

About

Quick Information

ADDRESS

Dean's Yard, London SW1P 3PA, UK

RECOMMENDED DURATION

2 hours

Timings

09:30–15:30

VISITORS PER YEAR

1600000

TICKETS

From £ 30

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

1-2 hours (Peak), 30-60 mins (Off Peak)

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - SKIP THE LINE

30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

UNESCO YEAR

1987

Plan your visit

Did you know?

Recognized as one of the oldest and most significant buildings in the United Kingdom, Westminster Abbey was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Westminster Abbey houses the oldest surviving Anglo-Saxon door in the country, dating back to 1050.

Westminster Abbey has been the setting for 17 royal weddings, such as that of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, as well as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

More insights

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

Buy your Westminster Abbey tickets

Westminster Abbey Tickets

3 hr - 4 hr

Audio guide

Guided tour

More details

from

£30

Westminster Abbey Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

2 hr - 4 hr

More details

from

£79

Westminster Abbey, Big Ben & Buckingham Palace Guided Tour

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

Flexible duration

More details

from

£68

London Explorer Pass by Go City: Choose 2 to 7 Attractions

Free cancellation

Extended validity

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

Flexible duration

Guided tour

More details

from

£54

Westminster Abbey is a breathtaking medieval church in London. Established by Edward the Confessor in 1042 and rebuilt under Henry III around 1245, it's been the coronation site for every monarch since 1066. Its soaring Gothic arches, royal tombs, and the famous Poets’ Corner make it feel like history’s coolest time capsule. Swing by for epic architecture, famous tombs, and epic history!

Plan your visit to Westminster Abbey

Timings

Best Time to Visit

Getting There

Monday to Friday: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm (last entry)
Saturday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (last entry)
Sunday: Closed to tourists (open only for worship)

Special Closures: During royal events, funerals, or services. Always check the official calendar before your visit.

Duration needed: 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a full visit including the Abbey, Poets' Corner, and the Cloisters.

Weekdays (especially Tuesday–Thursday): Lower crowd levels and quieter interiors.

Early mornings (right after opening): Best light for photography and easier access to popular areas like the High Altar and Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

Avoid: Bank holidays and summer weekends unless you're okay with queues.

Address: 20 Deans Yd, London SW1P 3PA, United Kingdom | Find on Maps

By tube: Jubilee, Circle & District Lines
Nearest stops: Westminster Station (3-min walk), and St. James’s Park Station (8-min walk)
By bus: Routes 11, 24, 88, 148, 21, 381
Nearest stops: Westminster Abbey or Parliament Square (both one-minute walk away)
By foot: A 5-minute walk from Big Ben, and a 10-minute walk from London Eye via Westminster Bridge
By car: Driving is not recommended as there is limited parking nearby.
Nearest parking: Q-Park Westminster (5-minute walk).

Photography: May be limited inside the church, though it is allowed in the Cloisters and College Garden (no tripods or flash)
Dress Code: There's no official dress code, but modest, respectful attire is encouraged (especially for services)
Prohibited Items: Large bags, food & drinks, sharp objects
Animals: Pets are not allowed inside the Westminster Abbey. However, guide dogs are permitted
Silence & Conduct: Westminster Abbey is a sacred place, so maintain respectful silence inside the church. Also avoid touching the statues or memorials.
Mobile Phones: Should be silenced in all areas

Things to see at Westminster Abbey

Coronation chair

One of the most important pieces of furniture in the world, the Coronation Chair is kept in St. George’s Chapel. Built in 1296 under King Edward I, it has been used in coronation ceremonies for over 700 years when it's placed in front of the High Altar, at the center of the Abbey.

Henry VII Lady Chapel

The Lady Chapel was built by King Henry VII on the eastern side of the abbey. It is home to the tombs of King Henry VII, his wife, and James I. Built in the late perpendicular Gothic style, this chapel has a pendant vault fan ceiling and has been called ‘the wonder of the world’ by John Leland.

Royal tombs

There are over 30 kings and queens buried in the royal tombs of Westminster Abbey, including Mary, Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth I. The first was Edward the Confessor whose shrine is just behind the High Altar. The church was built by Henry III whose effigy is kept near the shrine.

Poets' Corner

Poets’ Corner in the east aisle of Westminster Abbey is a pilgrimage site for literary enthusiasts. Over 100 poets and writers are either buried or have their memorials here. A few of them are world-famous such as William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer, and more.

Pyx Chamber

Built in 1070, it is a low vaulted room in Undercroft and the oldest part of the abbey. There are 2 heavy oak doors from the 14th century and a medieval tiled floor from the 11th century. You will find a large curved medieval chest that stored vestments and others with treaties and foreign documents.

The Choir

Attend one of the daily services to listen to the choir sing from their quire stalls, a tradition that dates back to the chanting of songs by the monks in the 10th century. In the 18th century, the original quire stalls were replaced and replaced by the present ones in 1848.

Abbey gardens

Stroll around the 900-year-old College Garden and find a stone wall built in 1376, the 18th-century Westminster school dormitory, a rose garden, and a water fountain. There are two smaller gardens - Little Cloister Garden with a Victorian fountain, and Garth, bordered by the cloisters.

Modern Martyrs

The space above the West Door had been empty since the Middle Ages. Later, the space was filled with limestone sculptures of victims of racism, Nazism, and religious prejudice, like Dr. Martin Luther King and Wang Zhiming, and unveiled in a service attended by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.

More highlights of Westminster Abbey >

History of Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey began as a modest Benedictine monastery on Thorney Island around 959 It was expanded by Edward the Confessor in the 1040s and consecrated on in 1066. The soaring Gothic church you see today was commissioned by Henry III in 1245 and largely completed by 1269, blending French influences with English stonework.

Since William the Conqueror’s coronation in 1066, the Abbey has hosted every monarch’s crowning (bar two), at least 16 royal weddings, and now guards the tombs of over 3,300 famous figures—kings, quees, poets, scientists, and more. After its dissolution in the 1530s, Elizabeth I refounded it as a “royal peculiar,” and UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 1987, cementing its place at the heart of Britain’s history and ceremonies.

Westminster Abbey's architecture

Who built Westminster Abbey?

The present Westminster Abbey building dates to the time of King Henry III’s reign. The eastern part of the 11th century Abbey, founded by King Edward the Confessor in 1065, was pulled down by King Henry III in 1245. He then rebuilt the abbey in Anglo-French Gothic style for his own burial and dedicated it to King Edward. Although the construction began in 1245, the design was completed under the reign of Richard II.

Construction

The three masons supervising the construction were Robert of Beverly, John of Gloucester, and Henry of Reyns. They took inspiration from new cathedrals Amiens, Reims, and Chartres, to add an apse with radiating chapels. They used Gothic features such as ribbed vaults, pointed arches, and rose windows. You will also find a few English features in the building such as a single aisle and a long nave with projecting transepts.

Design

Westminster Abbey has the highest Gothic vault in England which seemed higher because of the narrow aisles. The design of the Abbey was taken from the continental system of geometrical proportion. Moreover, a spacious area was provided between the start of the quire and the high altar which was the ‘theatre’ for the coronation ceremony. The windows were filled with stunning ruby and sapphire glasses along with a pattern of heraldic shields.

More on Westminster Abbey's architecture >

Westminster Abbey on screen

Movies: The Da Vinci Code (2006), The Young Victoria (2009), Army of Shadows (1969), Westminster Abbey (1996), Minions (2015), and more.

TV series: The Prisoner (1967-68), A History of Britain (2000-02), Monarchy (2004-07), The Tower (2021-24), and more.

Music: England Swings (Roger Miller), Different Ways of Living (Bee Appleseed), Lost Art (JR Shitty & the Bean Flowers).

Video games: Watch Dogs: Legion, The Da Vinci Code, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, Assassin’s Creed: Project Legacy, Sherlock Holmes: Fenian Dynamite Campaign, The Simpsons: Tapped Out, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions about Westminster Abbey

How big is Westminster Abbey?

Westminster Abbey is spread across 32,000 sq. ft. or 3000 sq. meters.

Can anyone visit Westminster Abbey?

Yes, Westminster Abbey is open to all. However, it's a working church, so access may be restricted during worship services and special events.

Is an audio guide available for Westminster Abbey tours?

Yes, audio guides in English, Russian, Portuguese, Polish, Dutch, Japanese, Italian, Hungarian, Arabic, French, German, and Spanish are often included with the Westminster Abbey tickets.

How long should I plan to spend visiting Westminster Abbey?

Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours at Westminster Abbey, depending on interest in the detailed history and architecture.

Is photography allowed inside Westminster Abbey?

Photography is generally permitted in most areas of the church, except for the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor and St Faith's Chapel. That said, flash photography, videography, tripods, and selfie sticks are not allowed.

What should I not miss when visiting Westminster Abbey?

Do not miss the Poets' Corner, the Coronation Chair, and the Lady Chapel, all of which hold significant historical importance. Noteworthy artifacts include the oldest door in Britain, medieval paintings, and the tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

Is Westminster Abbey accessible to visitors with disabilities?

Yes, Westminster Abbey is accessible to visitors with disabilities. There are ramps, lifts, and accessible toilets available.

Can I get married at Westminster Abbey?

Only members of the royal family, recipients of the Order of the Bath, and residents of the Abbey's precincts can get married at Westminster Abbey.

What facilities are available for tourists?

Facilities include a gift shop, the Cellarium Café and Terrace, restrooms, and a cloakroom.