A visitor’s guide to Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is one of the top tourist destinations in London. Not only is it conveniently located next to the Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament), but it is the location where kings and queens are both crowned and buried. There is an incredible amount of history in and around this building.
When you first enter Westminster Abbey (as shown in the picture to the right), you will be awed by the size and detail of this church. What was originally a shrine on an island in the Thames (1400 years ago) is now a magnificent church.
The other thing you will likely notice about Westminster Abbey is the number of people buried there. To be completely honest, it gets a little dull after a while. There is just so “much” going on (tombs, effigies, etc.) that sometimes the magnificence of the building just gets lost.
That said, there are some really unique things to see. The architecture is beautiful, and you also get to see the Coronation chair, which virtually every English King or Queen has been crowned on in the last 900 years! So many of the Kings and Queens you read about in history classes are in tombs all around, which is fascinating. And if you’re into “The Da Vinci Code,” you can check out all of the locations the book references. (If you’re doing that, don’t forget to check out Temple Church, too!)
The church does charge to visit, unless you attend church services. (These will always be free to anyone wishing to attend.) If you don’t want to pay to see inside, there are areas around the church that are free to tour and explore. Specifically, the cloisters just outside the church are open to all. They are not only a tranquil place to walk, but you will find the burial places of hundreds of famous people from throughout the ages. Right outside the cloisters is also the grounds of Westminster School, one of the exclusive private schools in London. (Though it’s one of the private schools that are referred to as “public” schools; yes, it’s confusing.)
I highly recommend a visit to Westminster Abbey! It’s certainly one of London’s top destinations.
Days/Times: Open on Sunday for church services only (which are free)
Monday – Saturday: 9:30am – 3:45pm generally.
Parts of the Abbey are open longer, and special events may cause these times to change.
Cost: £10 for adults, £7 for children under 16 and seniors
Getting There: Take the Underground to Westminster station, on the Circle, District, and Jubilee lines.
More information: Check out the Westminster Abbey website.
Map:
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3 Comments
I would like to know how many kings and queens were crowned in the Abbey of Westminter. Thank you for your help.
Hi, ghyslaine.
To be honest I don’t really know the answer. You could probably research it between looking up the history of England’s Kings & Queens and the history of Westminster Abbey. Good luck!
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