Westminster Abbey was one of the highlights of our visit to London. We arranged for a special Medieval Monastery tour of the Abby that included learning in-depth history. The 90 minute tour cost £15 plus general admission. We booked on-line two weeks in advance. We arrived early with our tickets stamped for opening at 9:30. Security staff scans and queues up visitors by ticket times and there was a line that had well over a thousand people waiting to enter. All general admission visitors are given a headset with a wonderful guided tour upon entering. There is a logical pathway to follow and learn about the Abbey. Hannah was our private tour guide. She was wealth of information about the history of the Abbey and the people that were important. As part of the tour we had access to parts of the facility that were not part of the normal tour route. We were also allowed to sit in the choir seating for a brief lecture. It was invigorating to sit where royalty had been. The tour is fabulous and very worth the money. The Abbey is mostly French Gothic, but a mix of styles as different King's added on sections and chapels during their reigns. Much of the Abbey was restored after the damage caused by looting after the Reformation and additional damage caused by the WWII Blitz bombing. Most of the stained glass has been replaced. The history dates back over 1000 years and we saw evidence of an ancient door and uncovered mosaics. There is a lot to see, including graves of many notable people and royalty. Restrooms are available towards the end of the tour (but expect a line). There is a cafeteria and several gift shops. Current renovations are adding additional guest restrooms. Wear comfortable walking shoes, expect uneven floors. Arrive a bit early to go through security. I highly recommend a visit. I wouldn't bring young children. read more

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This highly visited tourist attraction was founded in 960 AD. That's insane! It was rebuilt in 1245. Also insane! UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourist must see, especially if your first time in London. Incredible Gothic architecture that's really wonderful to be able to see up close and personal. Nothing short of awe-inspiring. Super close to Houses of Parliament which makes for easier sightseeing. read more

This place is AMAZING!!! So much to see that you can go back again and again and still can't take it all in. From the moment you walk in until the moment you leave. History is in every corner, walk, ceiling, underground, grounds and surroundings! It's breathtaking to be sure. Don't miss out on the headset tour and skip the gift shop! Set aside enough time to allow yourself some stillness while there to soak in all of the history. It's truly magnificent and quite frankly, overwhelming. read more

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This was such a great activity for us during our trip to London. We did not do a tour and instead walked around at our own pace and I think that was honestly best for my personal group. We did also pay the extra 5 pounds to go up to the Queens Diamond Jubilee Gallery which was SO worth it, with so many more pieces of history and a stunning view from above of westminister abbey. read more

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Westminster Abbey is a stunning building of Gothic architecture, most significant for being the coronation church for English and British Monarchs since 1066. It is also a popular location for many royal weddings and funeral. It's a quick walk from Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Nice to stop by to see where history has been written while you're exploring this part of London. read more

Westminster Abbey - Churches Near Me - London, XGL

One of the major attractions in the UK especially London is Westminster Abbey. It is jampacked with history and grandeur. There are numerous famous people in tomb tier along with most of the past kings and various important politicians such as Winston Churchill. There is an entrance fee and the place is generally jampacked so buy your tickets in advance. read more

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Wow! One of the most impressive churches I've ever visited. The architecture, stained-glass windows, and historic tombs are absolutely breathtaking -- it truly feels like stepping back in time and into history. Since we didn't realize the Abbey closes to visitors at 3:30 pm, we ended up attending the mass service instead. It was a unique experience, though it came with very strict rules. Photography is not allowed during service, and the staff enforces this firmly. I only managed a couple of quick snapshots before a priest, in a stern voice, reminded several visitors to put their phones away. Even so, the greatness of Westminster Abbey makes it unforgettable -- a must-see when in London. read more

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This was one of the Big Bus stops so I thought I'd check out this historical building. Unfortunately, I did not do my homework, you need a reservation to go inside this church. However, there's a QR code at the Abbey. Luckily, I was able to purchase one ticket for the next entry. Keep trying, it seems like tickets become available depending on demand. The ticket included an audio recorder which was very easy to follow. I'm glad I took my time to take in all of the history this building has to offer. If you have time, I would recommend this tour. read more

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SO COOL! I cried when I saw Queen Elizabeth I. It's a big place with a lot of tombs of British monarchs inside. read more

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Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England. I did not go inside, but she is beautiful all around the outside! read more

Westminster Abbey - Churches Near Me - London, XGL

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Westminster Abbey is definitely one of the UK's most impressive churches. It's here that key events in the life of the British Royal Family take place including Royal Weddings (17 to date) and Coronations (the majority of British rulers since 1066!). This medieval church, graced by many royal weddings and coronations, offers a magnificent peek at London's far-reaching history We were here at 930 AM, that too on Monday but it was already crowded...!! so not sure when to visit to beat the rush hour. Westminster Abbey is also one of the most desirable burial sites in the UK, with countless famous figures from British history buried here, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Chaucer, and multiple British royals, prime ministers, and more. Even if you're not interested in the Royal family or the buried dead though, you can't help but be impressed by this gorgeous gothic-style building. Westminster Abbey stands on a site that's been associated with Christianity since the early 7th century. Officially known as the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster, Westminster Abbey was founded by Edward the Confessor in 1065 as his place of interment. This masterpiece of Gothic architecture not only has the highest Gothic nave in England (102 feet), it's also one of London's most popular tourist attractions, drawing well over a million visitors each year. Tip: do a little research ahead of time to avoid missing your personal must-sees. For instance, if you're a bibliophile, consider a visit to the Poets' Corner. This is the final resting place of famed authors Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, and Rudyard Kipling, among others. If you're fascinated by all the intrigue surrounding British royalty, you might like to visit the shared tomb of enemies and half sisters Elizabeth I read more

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We were in London for 3 nights and went to a service in Westminster Abbey. We got there about an hour early and only 1 guy ahead of us but when let in hoards of people cut there way ahead of us. We found it wasn't a single file line, it might be in a bucket this is lotion, so we missed out by trying to be polite. We did get inside but the first people should have been in the area across from the choir. There was visiting choir from Scotland. The singing and message were very odd. Choir used tuning fork and sounded very monitored. Service was 45 minutes and we stood in line for an hour. Several didnt get in ... so arrive early. They said no pics till after the service but after they rush everyone out and locked the gate. Not sure if the tours were better for allowing pics. But it was stunningly beautiful inside and out. The building was more impressive than the service and got to see it at no cost. Im sure the tour has a fee. read more

Westminster Abbey - Churches Near Me - London, XGL

We went in roughly around 10am. There were a lot of people near the exit and gift shop area but it was basically a walk in at the entrance. Inside, there were quite a bit of people and for the majority the flow was good. Admission cost was a bit high however it is one of the attractions covered in the London Pass. It is quite beautiful outside and in. The architecture, the stained glass windows, and the history within the walls is all quite remarkable. read more

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Probably the most interesting stop we made in London. Definitely worth paying the extra £5 for a verger tour; Benjamin was our verger and I cannot sing his praises enough!! If we return to Westminster Abbey for a tour I will likely try to make sure we can get on a tour again with Benjamin. As a history buff, seeing the burial sites of all these historical figures I'd read about for years was incredibly fascinating. Getting the extra bits of info from the verger was the icing on the cake of this tour. read more

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Westminster Abbey is absolutely gorgeous and so rich with history. It was incredible to walk around the tombs, look at the windows and architecture, and walk the grounds. It was especially cool seeing the coronation chair. I could spend at least a couple hours in here. They also have a nice gift shop. We did not attend mass, but you can if you'd like. This is truly a must see if you're in London. The tickets were we worth it. read more

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There's just so much to see in London -- but we had to stop by this beautiful, magnificent church. We used a company called Headout Bookings and met up with a small group of other tourists for a guided tour of the Abbey. Our guide was clearly very experienced and very knowledgeable about this place. It was so great to visit with someone who could give us so much history and still keep it very interesting. We also had some time to go off on our own and explore the intricacies of this majestic place. The stunning architecture kept us stopping to stare in amazement over and over again. Our guided tour allowed us a chance to experience the church and learn so much about its history at the same time. It truly is a must-see if you visit London. read more

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If you're a tourist trying to squeeze in all the sights in London and wondering if you should keep Westminster Abbey on your list, I'm here to tell you that YES! Keep it and GO!! I honestly think this was one of my favorite tour experiences that I had my entire trip in the UK. While I do love visiting old churches, the visits can feel a bit repetitive. Yes, they got beautiful frescos, amazing sculptures, mosaic tiles floors, and impressive architecture, but Westminster Abbey has all that and so much more. I've always been fascinated with the history of Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I. So needless to say it was quite an amazing experience being able to visit their actual tombs up close and be in the same room as the bodies of such amazing and impactful women. The amount of historic leaders that are buried in this Abby is very impressive. Not to mention all of the artists, actors, poets, and other culturally important figures. The Abby itself is massive, but the tour ensures that you won't miss a single bit of it. They provide you with a free audio guide, and corral you along like cattle through the entire building. Don't forget to purchase your separate tickets to see the queens jubilee Gallery, which includes a ton of effigies, outfits that monarchs actually wore, as well as several other important and impressive historical items, including Prince William, and Princess Kate's wedding certificate. I would visit Westminster Abbey again in a heartbeat, and in fact, would love to go back and be able to spend more time. If you're on the fence, or looking for ways to thin down your list of what sites to see while you're in London, be sure that you don't skip out on Westminster Abbey. It is well worth the time and money you'll spend there. read more

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This is an absolute must when in London! Westminister Abbey is gorgeous! She's stunning with all the beautiful architecture and the click on the front. The area offers some shopping and food options too. You can spend the day at Westminster Abbey. This is perfect for a photo opportunity. I highly recommend a visit here! read more

Westminster Abbey - Westminister abbey - Churches Near Me - London, XGL

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A must see when in London. Church is beautiful. Outside part reminds me of Harry Potter. Cool to see Stephen Hawking grave/tile? The unknown soldier and the coronation chair are pretty cool to see as well. The history here.... Just go! read more

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Nothing less than impressive. This church has soooo much history - it's amazing. Do I think kids would be impressed - no. Make sure that you pay the extra couple of pounds additional for the audio tour - well done. Also, send the extra pounds to visit the Queens Diamond Jubilee Gallery. It is high above the church and has great displays. Also, it was not crowded - unlike the church. Well, well worth it! Overall a must visit in London! read more

Westminster Abbey is absolutely beautiful. I am not religious whatsoever so don't let being of a certain religion put you off. I could literally spend the entire day here. So many amazing graves and interesting things to see. There is an audio guide or you can just wander. read more

This was a must see for us during our UK trip. We booked a time online before the trip. They even had senior discount for people 65+ (£26)! We opted to go at 1400 on a Saturday. The last entry is at 1530. It was crowded but tolerable. I read that the crowds can get very intense so I wasn't complaining. I was amazed at how much there was to see. We were given a headset which had short descriptions. My favorite section was the Poets Corner and seeing the tombs of Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. So much history! It was very amazing. Don't skip visiting here. read more

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TV shows and pictures don't do this place justice. Many people that influenced history are at rest here. Beautiful stone and marble work. You have to visit this place if you are here. read more

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Westminder Abbey has been known for being the venue for every Coronation since 1066 and for numerous other royal occasions, including sixteen royal weddings. We more recently saw the coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as king and queen of the United Kingdom. It took place on Saturday, 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022 upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II. It was the first coronation held since Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 nearly 70 years prior. This is an Anglican Church. Henry VIII created the Church of England as a religious body unique from the Roman Catholic Church in order to achieve his goal of divorcing his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in an attempt to remarry and father sons to continue his dynasty. Today it is still a church dedicated to regular worship and to the celebration of great events in the life of the nation. Neither a cathedral nor a parish church, Westminster Abbey (or the Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster to give it its correct title) is a "Royal Peculiar" under the jurisdiction of a Dean and Chapter, subject only to the Sovereign and not to any archbishop or bishop. read more

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It doesn't get much bigger or better than Westminster Abbey. Huge building, an indoor cemetery really. Tons of history and funerary art. I will let the pics say the rest. It is a must stop in London (Westminster). read more

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Short on time, we appreciated seeing the exterior for free as we passed through the area. read more

Westminster Abbey - Churches Near Me - London, XGL

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We purchased timed tickets on line for 24 pounds each & an additional 5 for the jubilee. Happily we had our bags checked & just walked inside the very crowded chapel. There was a prayer service taking place during our visit. The abbey is the burial site of more than 3,300 people, many prominent in British history: monarchs, prime ministers, poets, actors, scientists, military leaders, and the Unknown Warrior from WWI. The church & tombs are ornately decorated. We recognized many of the famous poets, movie stars, scientists, and Royal's. This is the Church of England or the Anglican Church . Since 1066, it has been the location of the coronations of 40 English and British monarchs, a burial site for 18 English, Scottish, and British monarchs. At least 16 royal weddings have occurred at the abbey since 1100. read more

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Beautiful inside and out! Admission includes an audio guide, which has a lot of fun information and is well marked throughout the building. I particularly liked the Poets Corner, where Chaucer was buried, eventually leading to a memorial of many prominent writers. The walking path is roped off in a maze like way from start to finish, which is pretty easy to follow. Staff and volunteers inform you about the little tours they do throughout the building. Ticket prices are high at £29, but I think it's worth it for visiting an iconic and historic landmark like Westminster Abbey. What I didn't find worth it was that they were charging £5 on top of that if you wanted to see the Jubilee room. I can't bring myself to take off any stars for that, though, because the Abbey is too exquisite to get anything less than 5 stars. read more

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History on history on history. Something to see or find that will interest for everyone. We had a guided walking tour with a local expert and had a wonderful time. There are endless memorials in all different styles and periods of design and every time you turn a corner there is even more to see! I would have liked more time in Poet's Corner, instead of so much time being shown around the memorials of lesser royals and royal-adjacents of times past. But truly, the place is magnificent. Spectacularly beautiful. Obviously a main tourist stop and therefore busy. But be aware of yourself and your surroundings, be polite to others, and enjoy! I won't say too much, because it is really it's one whole amazing experience and you can get so much out of it and stay for a whole day, or see what you want and be out in an hour. It in fabulous! read more

Westminster Abbey is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England. Since 1066, it has been the location of the coronations of 40 English and British monarchs and a burial site for 18 English, Scottish, and British monarchs. At least 16 royal weddings have taken place at the abbey since 1100. It's definitely been a long time since I visited London so I'm not adding personal photos. All you need to know is that it's a must see at least once in your lifetime! read more

Every square inch of Westminster Abbey from the ceiling to the floor, is absolutely Incredible! It's amazing to think about how they built it all, while managing to add so much precise detail to everything. The stain glass windows are bright, colorful, and each one tells its own story. This has been the prime location of Coronation's for hundreds of years; you can even view the actual Coronation Chair that has been the centerpiece for Coronations Services for over 700 years. Walking throughout the Abbey was a little overwhelming for me because there was so much to see. There are many chambers, corridors, and halls here, each with its own back story. You can also find the graves and tombs of many notable people such as King Henry V, Issac Newton and more. They do have daily services here that all are welcome to attend. Services last between 25-30 minutes each. If you need help or have any questions, just look for the Red Cape Staff member, they are everywhere and ready to help and answer your questions. Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to Westminster Abbey. The staff is friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable, the tickets are reasonable, and the experience is priceless! Highly recommended for everyone. read more

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Just a fantastic and historic place. Guess what - they allow pictures now inside! No more sneaking around. I love the history of this 1000 year old place; from the poet's corner to the many, many scientists buried here all the way back to Edward the Confessor from 1066. read more

Reading all the regency novels a la Brigerton and I could not NOT stop at Westminster Abbey. Amazing architecture, delish cafe and cold beverages and a hop and skip from Trafalgar Square. Highly recommend tossing this majestical structure in person. Bucket list slowly getting checked off! read more

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This was literally the first item on my agenda (pretty specifically for Laurence Olivier) as soon as I got to London and I was not disappointed. I booked my tour in advance and the process to get in was a breeze. The staff are very helpful! I was in awe during my whole visit--such a beautiful place but one that honors so many notables! read more

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Do you love being surrounded by hundreds of dead people? Walking on them, past them, seeing their death shrouds, then this is the place for you. I went expecting a church. It was an extremely crowded mausoleum. read more

Absolutely, an amazing place to visit. To think the coronation of King Charles and the wedding of Princess Diana all happened at this historical and grand regal church!!! Our visit was by chance because we booked a coronation afternoon tea at the Cellarium, a restaurant at the side of Westminster Abbey. Have to say the afternoon tea was underwhelming and overly priced for what we received BUT as we looked for the restrooms afterwards, we ended up meandering into the cloisters and then to the front part of the Abbey. So that really made up for the disappointing afternoon tea. We saw the coronation chair, the oldest door, beautiful mosaic windows and epitaphs on the walls and grounds, including Winston Churchill. As we left, we noticed long lines going into the back of Westminster Abbey for paid tickets holders. We were just happy to see part of Westminster and the cloisters. To see the entirely of Westminster Abbey including the crypt, online tickets is recommended. Definitely, a must see when visiting London. read more

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Hello mate, thanks for following and reading my journey in london. . This place is absolutely breath taking. The views is amazing. I recommend coming here on the weekdays. The weekends is like a zoo. I had to come here a few times because of bus transfers and retake pics and videos. . There is a gift shop where they sell little knick knacks. It gets crazy busy inside and crowded. It's free and outside on the side of this place to the public. . However trying to enter thus place you need to reserve a ticket online before entering in the line to go inside and see. If you want a tour it will cost around 25 pounds. I didn't get a ticket to go inside which I will be more prepared the next trip. . Bring your cameras and outfit ready and make all the memories. Basically next to this spot is big Ben and london eye which is easy to make on stop and see all 3. . Bring comfy walking shoes because there is lots of walking involved. . If you read til here, I would to say thanks for reading and have a bloody good day mate. Please vote for this review if you find this helpful. Cheers mate. read more

Westminster Abbey - Churches Near Me - London, XGL

Always amazed when I come here. So much history. The church is magnificent with Beautiful architecture and stain glass windows. Not only are there a lot of ties to British religious history, but British history in general. Buried underground are royals, and literary icons throughout the last several hundred years.The free audio guide with your tour is very helpful. It gives a more in-depth look at some of the statues, tombs, memorials, and other sites to see during your visit. The Queens Galleries are worth the additional charge. There's so much history up there and the views looking down at the church are amazing. Poets Corner is the memorial for over 100 writers and poets. Some that are buried here : William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters and Charles Dickens, just to name a few. Westminster Abbey has been the site of the coronation for all British monarchs since 1066 and is home to the ancient Coronation Chair, which is on display. The guides walking around the church are so informative. If you have a question, just find someone with a red cape and they will be more than willing to share stories and pass on all the information they know. read more

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#WayBackWednesday London is filled with plenty of iconic landmarks and Westminster Abbey is absolutely one of them. Along with the Palace of Westminster and St. Margaret's Church, it is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Coronations, weddings, burials, and memorials have taken place inside the abbey since 1066. That's right, it was almost 1,000 years ago. Our visit was prior to the onset of COVID-19 so we were able to get a 50% discount with their Wednesday Lates ticket. It has been put on hold since December 2021 but will resume in the summer of 2023. It was less crowded, but we were operating on a limited map without audio guide. But my wife was fine, she just wanted to see where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married. We got here via Westminster Underground Station then walked through Parliament Square to get to the north side of the church. We then made our way to The Sanctuary to take some photos of its western façade. I remember telling my wife this was where Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu walked in a scene from The Da Vinci Code. The north and west exteriors were remarkable, but the inside of the church was even more powerful. The vaulting of the nave (central part) was spectacular. I couldn't take pictures because photography was not allowed. I fully understand the restriction had there been an on-going mass or service, but there wasn't. It was like the Sistine Chapel and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica all over again for me. At least the latter was free so I didn't feel too bad when we were there. It's not like we could commercialize and make money out of our photos - we just wanted souvenirs. I simply just don't get it. We looked around, admired everything we saw, and said a little prayer before heading out. For a brief moment, we were part of British history. I left with plenty of memories and some kind of frustration to boot, as my DSLR missed out on plenty of photo opportunities... read more

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After missing out on Westminster Abbey on a precious trip to London, we were eager to visit on the next. To our surprise, the experience wasn't as wonderful as we expected. First, make sure to buy your tickets in advance. This will save you from having to wait in an extremely long line to get in. We were so glad to have bought them in advance. Not only is the church beautiful, but huge and full of history. However, it was very hard for us to enjoy due to the crowds. We visited on a weekday in the middle of the day and it was extremely crowded. During most of the time we spent there, we were shoulder to shoulder with people. They sell WAY too MANY tickets. Sadly, we were excited when the virtual tour was over due to how crowded it was. It made it hard to enjoy. Visiting here was a one and done for us. read more

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