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Westminster Abbey

Church

Westminster Abbey

Coronation church since 1066 and resting place of monarchs, poets and scientists, from Elizabeth I to Isaac Newton.

experiences to book
2
typical visit
1.5–2 hours
lowest price
£39

Things to do at Westminster Abbey

Tickets

Guided tours

About Westminster Abbey

Benedictine monks were worshipping here by the 960s, and Edward the Confessor built a great church beside his palace in the 1060s. Henry III began the present Gothic church in 1245. Every coronation since 1066 has taken place here, most recently King Charles III's in 2023.

More than 3,300 people are buried or commemorated inside. Look for the shrine of Edward the Confessor, the fan-vaulted Lady Chapel of Henry VII, the Coronation Chair made around 1300 and Poets' Corner, where Chaucer lies. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is the one grave nobody walks on.

Know before you go

  • No sightseeing on Sundays, when the Abbey is open for worship only.
  • Walk-through security; bags larger than 55 × 40 × 20 cm aren't allowed.
  • The multimedia guide is included in admission, in 14 languages plus British Sign Language.
  • Opening hours change on days with special services; check your date before you go.
  • The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries in the triforium are ticketed separately.