Westminster Abbey
8.4Friend Score / 10#7 of 20 Attractions in London
Known forwestminster abbeycoronationroyal weddingspoets corner
A thousand years of coronations, royal weddings and burials under one Gothic roof — Newton, Darwin, Dickens and seventeen monarchs are all here. Adult entry runs £27-31 including a good audio guide. It closes to sightseers by mid-afternoon and Sundays are worship-only, so plan around that.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Fri 09:30–15:30 Sat–Sat 09:30–15:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Westminster (Jubilee/District/Circle) and St James's Park, both about 5 minutes on foot |
| Time needed | 1.5-2 hours with the audio guide |
| Best time to go | 9:30am opening on a weekday, or a free Evensong at 5pm for atmosphere |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.4/10- Value7.0
- iconic8.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level4.5
- Authenticity9.0
- Accessibility9.5
Frequently asked questions
- How much does Westminster Abbey cost to visit?
- Adult tickets are from £27 booked online (standard £31), kids 6-17 around £12, under-6s free, and the audio guide is included. Summer 2026 has a VAT-discount promotion running 25 June to 1 September, so online prices dip a bit.
- How long do I need at Westminster Abbey?
- About 90 minutes to two hours with the audio guide. Since last entry is early afternoon, make it a morning activity and pair it with Parliament Square and St James's Park next door.
- Was Westminster Abbey used for the coronation?
- Every English and British coronation since 1066 has happened here, including King Charles III's in 2023 — the 700-year-old Coronation Chair is on display near the west entrance. That continuity is really the whole point of the place.
- Can I visit Westminster Abbey for free?
- Yes — attend a service. Evensong (usually 5pm weekdays, 3pm weekends) is free, sung by one of the world's great choirs, and you sit in the heart of the church. You can't wander the tombs, but the experience is arguably better.
- What are Westminster Abbey's opening hours?
- Sightseeing runs 9:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday and until 3pm Saturday — note that's last entry territory, so it shuts earlier than most attractions. Sundays are for worship only.
- Is the audio guide at Westminster Abbey included?
- Yes, a multi-language audio guide comes with your ticket and it's worth using — without it you're just looking at a lot of stone. The narrated route takes about 90 minutes at a comfortable pace.
- What are the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries?
- They're the medieval triforium galleries 16 metres above the abbey floor, showing treasures like coronation regalia and funeral effigies, with a knockout view down the nave. Access costs a few pounds extra with a timed slot — worth it if you're not rushed.
- Who is buried in Westminster Abbey?
- Around 3,300 people including seventeen monarchs, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking's ashes, and the poets of Poets' Corner — Chaucer, Dickens, Hardy. The Grave of the Unknown Warrior by the west door is the one everyone walks around, never over.
Nearby in Ask London
- Palace of WestminsterAttraction0.17 km · 2 min walk
- Big Ben & Houses of ParliamentLandmark0.24 km · 3 min walk
- Big BenAttraction0.24 km · 3 min walk
- St James's ParkPark0.62 km · 8 min walk
- St James's ParkAttraction0.62 km · 8 min walk
Where to stay near Westminster Abbey
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