Westminster Abbey
Religious & Sacred · United Kingdom · Europe
Westminster Abbey is one of the 100 world miracles — a religious & sacred highlight in United Kingdom, Europe. Below: what makes it special, what to expect on site and everything you need to plan a visit.
About Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is **the most historically saturated building in Britain** — a church that has stood at the centre of national life for nearly a thousand years. **Every English and British monarch since William the Conqueror has been crowned here** — a sequence of **39 coronations spanning nearly ten centuries**. The **Coronation Chair, made in 1300** and still used at every coronation, is the oldest piece of furniture in England still serving its original purpose. Beneath its floors and within its walls lie **over 3,000 notable figures from British history**. **Poets' Corner** holds the graves or memorials of Chaucer, Dickens, Thomas Hardy, and Kipling. Scientists' Corner nearby holds **Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking, and Ernest Rutherford**. The **Tomb of the Unknown Warrior**, installed in 1920 and representing every British soldier killed in the First World War, is the **only grave in the abbey that no one is permitted to walk over**. The building itself is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture, begun in its current form in **1245 under Henry III**. Westminster Abbey is in the heart of Westminster, a short walk from the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. It is open throughout the week except during services; entry requires a ticket that includes an audio guide. The best time is a **weekday morning in late autumn or winter**, when crowds are thinner. Attending a **choral evensong** — free of charge, held most afternoons — offers a completely different and deeply moving experience. The Chapter House and the ancient College Garden are lesser-visited highlights.
Highlights
- ✦ Gothic abbey church, coronation site of English monarchs since 1066
- ✦ Burial site of 17 monarchs
- ✦ Over 3,300 people are buried or commemorated here
Practical info
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Westminster Abbey?
An adult ticket costs around £29 when booked online, with discounts for students, seniors and children, and free entry for under-6s. Booking ahead for a timed entry slot is recommended, especially in summer, and is usually cheaper than buying on the door.
Is Westminster Abbey open on Sundays?
Not for general sightseeing — Sundays are reserved for services, and the Abbey is only open to worshippers that day. If Sunday is your only free day in London, you can still attend a free public service, though you won't be able to wander freely as a tourist.
What can you actually see inside Westminster Abbey?
Highlights include the Coronation Chair, Poets' Corner with memorials to Chaucer, Dickens and many other writers, the tombs of numerous English and British monarchs, and the medieval cloisters. An included multimedia guide covers most languages and helps make sense of the sheer density of history packed into the building.
How long do you need to visit Westminster Abbey?
Most visitors spend about 1.5 to 2 hours following the self-guided route with the audio guide. Add extra time if you want to linger in Poets' Corner or visit the separate Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, which have their own small additional charge.
Do you need to dress a certain way to visit Westminster Abbey?
It's a working church, so modest dress is appreciated — no swimwear or bare midriffs — though there is no strict formal dress code for daytime sightseeing visits. Hats should be removed by men inside, and photography restrictions are enforced fairly strictly by staff.
Explore more
Join the community
Track your visits to Westminster Abbey and other world miracles, rate your experience, and share photos with fellow travelers.
Start your journey