Sunlight streams through arched windows on to the solemn tomb of a queen. Rows of stone pillars soar to meet a vaulted ceiling trimmed with gold. And as you walk the aisles of Westminster Abbey, you follow the path taken by generations of kings.
Westminster Abbey has been the site of royal coronations, weddings, and funerals for nearly 1000 years. It’s a church that connects much of English history to the present. If you’re visiting London for the first time, it should definitely be on your list. In this post, I’ll cover the highlights and share my tips for making the most of your visit to Westminster Abbey.
Overview of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a place with a loooong history. It has been the site of a royal church since the 11th century. In fact, the city of Westminster is named after the church. “Minster” is an old English word for a church and–you guessed it–this one was west of London. William the Conqueror was crowned king of England there in 1066, and Westminster Abbey has been the site of royal coronations ever since. Most recently, Charles III was crowned king there in May 2023.
Over the years, the abbey has been the site of other occasions like royal weddings and funerals. Many of the English monarchs and their families were buried within Westminster Abbey until around 1800. The abbey has also become a place to honor important Britons: writers, composers, explorers, soldiers, and others.
And even if you’re not a history buff, Westminster Abbey’s gothic architecture will impress you with its 100 ft. vaulted ceilings and dozens of elegantly arched windows. (I highly recommend becoming a history buff though. Consider it.)
Today, the church is open to the public for tourism and for music and worship services. There’s also a small museum known as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries that’s well worth a visit.
Highlights of Westminster Abbey
English Gothic Architecture
Westminster Abbey is a gorgeous church with many layers of history to admire in the building itself. There’s a feeling of grandeur as you walk among its mighty columns, light pouring down on to golden decorations and stone statues.
Though the abbey was first built by Edward the Confessor in the mid-11th century, little of Edward’s romanesque church survives. Most of what you see today is a gothic masterpiece commissioned by Henry III in the 1200s and built over the course of 100 years. The soaring vaulted ceilings, rows of arched windows, and intricate mosaic floor around the altar all date from this time.
Since then, there have been many additions over time. In very brief summary: Henry VII rebuilt the Lady Chapel in the 1510’s with gorgeous fan vaulting, the iconic West Towers were added to enhance the exterior in the 1740’s, the tomb of The Unknown Warrior was placed in 1920, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries opened in the triforium in 2018 to show off some of the abbey’s treasures. Whew!
Monuments and Memorials
Westminster Abbey is the resting place for many members of the royal families, and there are memorials for other famous Britons from throughout the ages. As you walk through the church, you can see the tombs of most of the monarchs from Edward the Confessor (1003-1066) to George II (1683-1760). Don’t worry, they’re in the audio guide.
One of Westminster Abbey’s most important sites isn’t dedicated to a monarch at all. In 1920, an unidentified British soldier was given a state funeral and laid to rest in the middle of the abbey. This Tomb of the Unknown Warrior commemorates all the British soldiers and sailors who died serving in the First World War (1914-1918). That is around 880,000 people, a loss that is hard to grasp today.
You’ll also see many famous names on memorials, like Isaac Newtown and Charles Dickens. Some are loosely grouped together, like the Poet’s Corner where accomplished English writers are memorialized close to the grave of Geoffrey Chaucer. If you’re looking for a specific memorial, don’t be afraid to ask the staff to help you find it!
If you want to nerd out on even more history, make sure to check out my post on the Tower of London.
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries
Opened in 2018, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries are a museum that occupies part of Westminster Abbey’s medieval triforium. This space is 50 ft. above the floor of the abbey and offers an amazing view of the nave, as well as a close up perspective on some of the architecture.
The exhibits are a combination of royal miscellany and items related to the abbey’s history. You’ll find every thing from royal funeral effigies to the marriage license of Prince William and Kate Middleton. I enjoyed seeing bits of original stained glass and medieval art up close.
Entry to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries is an extra charge of £5 GBP, but the views alone are worth it.
Planning Your Visit to the Abbey
Touring the Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a very popular place to visit in London. It’s best to buy your timed tickets in advance. Some time slots can sell out weeks in advance! Tickets are £30 GBP, with discounts for children and students. You can book your timed entry to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries as well. I’d figure about a half hour after your main ticket entry time. Note that Westminster Abbey is closed for tourist visits on Sundays.
When you arrive at the abbey, head towards the south side. The entrance faces the Palace of Westminster, the home of the UK Parliament.
Your entry to Westminster Abbey includes a great audio/visual guide. It introduces the main areas of the church and points you to important features. To me, this is the best way to see the abbey at your own pace.
There are many options to see Westminster Abbey with a guided tour. Both official tours and private guided tours can show you around the place. Personally, I think the audio guide is sufficient, but you do have options.
Music and Worship at the Abbey
Westminster Abbey offers daily music and worship. The choir is famously excellent, and you can hear them at evensong for free! Evensong is a short Anglican religious ceremony held at the end of the day. Services are at 5:00 pm most days and 3:00 pm on Sundays. I missed out on attending evensong, and I seriously regret it. Check the schedule to see what’s on. There is also a sung eucharist service Sundays at 11:15 am.
If you visit during one of Westminster Abbey’s services, you won’t be able to tour around, visit the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, or take pictures. However, you will get to experience the church filled with glorious music.
Getting to Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is one of the easiest places to find in London. It’s close to Big Ben and Parliament Square, and it’s simple to reach by public transportation. Just take the tube to the Westminster or St. James’s Park station. The bus is also an option. I’d use Google maps or your favorite map app to find the best route.
Tips for Visiting the Abbey
- Take your time – Westminster Abbey spans 1000 years of history and includes memorials to many people who have shaped Britain during that time. It’s not the sort of place you want to rush through. Sometimes you’ll need to wait a bit if there’s a crowd looking at a particular monument or feature. I liked using the audioguide because it allows you to pause and take more time with whatever interests you.
- Beat the crowds – Westminster Abbey is very popular. Beat the crowds by going on a weekday or outside of peak times in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon. When you buy tickets, you can see how many remain for each time slot.
- Photo and video policy – Photos are allowed in most of Westminster Abbey, but videos aren’t. No photography is allowed in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries.
