Westminster Abbey is an important monument, not just for Christianity, but also for the British Royals. Ever since Christmas Day in 1066, every British Monarch has been crowned as the Westminster Abbey. The abbey is an important symbol that is worth exploring by every travel enthusiast. If you’re planning to visit Westminster Abbey, here’s everything that you will need to know.
Westminster Abbey is a ticket attraction, which means that you will need to buy a ticket to take a tour of the building. However, you can enter for free if you wish to pray or attend a service. As Westminster Abbey is a working church, there may be some days when the abbey is closed or some portions unavailable for visits. Make sure that you buy your tickets beforehand to ensure entry into the monument.
There are two entrances at Westminster Abbey, the North Door and the West Door. You can enter the abbey through either of these doors. You can redeem your tickets at either of these entrances as well. Both the doors are decorated with beautiful sculptures.
Book Your Westminster Abbey TicketsAddress: Westminster Abbey, 20 Deans Yd, London SW1P 3PA, United Kingdom
Westminster Abbey is accessible by all kinds of public transport, including train, tube, and also buses.
More on Getting to Westminster AbbeyWestminster Abbey is a popular attraction in London and hundreds of visitors and tourists visit the abbey every day. As the abbey is well connected through the public transport network in London, we would suggest that you either take a bus or a tube to Westminster Abbey.
Many buses stop directly at the entrance or nearby the abbey and the two nearest tube stations are both about 5 minutes away by walk. You can also catch a train to Westminster Abbey, the closest stations being 15-20 minute walks away from the abbey.
The abbey is also accessible by wheelchair and offers free entry to the disabled and their carers.
The nearest underground stations are Westminster and St James Park, each about five-minute walks from the abbey.
The nearest train stations are Waterloo and Victoria, each at less than a 20-minute walk from the abbey.
Catch route numbers 11, 24, 88, 148 and 211 to get down at the entrance of Westminster Abbey. Route numbers 3, 12, 53, 53X, 87, 88, 109, 159 and 453 stop close to the abbey as well.
The closest car park is on the Great College Street, a three-minute walk from the abbey. There are also other private parking facilities at walking distances.
Westminster Abbey is a grand structure built in the medieval period with Gothic architectural style. Each section of the abbey has its own specialty and is used for a specific purpose. You can find tombs, burials and memorials for not only British Royals but also other famous people of the past. You can also visit the Chapter House where monks gather for prayers. The Poet’s corner is a pilgrimage for literature lovers where there are more than 100 burials and memorials for poets and writers of the past. You can also look at the Coronation Chair that has been the center of British Coronations for more than 700 years.
More on What's Inside Westminster AbbeyUnless you’re visiting the abbey for individual prayer, you will need to buy a ticket to enter Westminster Abbey. As the abbey is a working church, it may be closed partially or completely for events or ceremonies. It is better that you check the abbey’s schedule and pre-book your online tickets to ensure entry.
You can show your ticket directly on your phone at the entrance before entry. Make sure to carry a valid ID proof as well.
Book Your Westminster Abbey TicketsThere are no parking facilities at Westminster Abbey. The closest car park is at Great College Street, which is a three-minute walk away from Westminster Abbey. Apart from this, there is a Q-Park Victoria on Arneway Street and a Waterloo Car Park on York Road.
More About Parking Near Westminster AbbeyThere are two shops available at Westminster Abbey.
Main Shop Address: Westminster Abbey Shop, Broad Sanctuary, London SW1P 3JS, United Kingdom
Cellarium Shop Address: Cellarium Shop, Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3PA, United Kingdom
You can buy tea, tapestries, gifts and other spiritual gifts at the Westminster Abbey shop.
More About Westminster Abbey ShopYou can eat your packed food at the Cloisters.
You can also get some light snacks and beverages at the Kiosk at Westminster Abbey.
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After your visit to Westminster Abbey, you can also visit iconic landmarks close to it.
A. Westminster Abbey provides free entry for attending services and individual prayer. However, if you want to visit Westminster Abbey for a tour, you will have to buy a ticket.
A. You can easily buy online tickets for Westminster Abbey here.
A. There are two doors at Westminster Abbey, the North Door and the West Door. You can show your ticket at either of these entrances to enter Westminster Abbey.
A. If you want to explore the abbey while avoiding crowds, then it is better that you come right after the abbey opens in the morning. You can also visit the abbey on Wednesdays when it is usually open till 6 PM and also free from crowds.
A. The tour of the entire Westminster Abbey could take you anywhere between 90 minutes to two hours.
A. Westminster Abbey is well connected with all the public transports in London. You can either catch a bus, a tube, a train, or even drive yourself to easily reach the abbey.
A. Westminster Abbey doesn’t offer parking, but you can find other parking facilities nearby that are only a few minutes away from the abbey.
Since Westminster Abbey is well connected to both buses and tubes, it is better that you catch either of these which will take you directly to Westminster Abbey or drop you close nearby.
A. Unfortunately, once you buy your Westminster Abbey tickets, they cannot be cancelled, amended or rescheduled.