Westminster Abbey
The coronation church of England - a soaring Gothic abbey where monarchs are crowned, married and buried, resting place of kings, poets and scientists, a UNESCO site.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
Westminster Abbey is the coronation church of England, a soaring Gothic masterpiece beside the Houses of Parliament the coronation church of English and British monarchs since 1066, with 39 coronations held here from William the Conqueror to Charles III, and many married and buried. A UNESCO site, it is a national shrine crowded with the tombs and memorials of kings and queens, poets in Poets' Corner, statesmen and scientists including Newton and Darwin, a thousand years of history under one roof.
What you actually see
- The coronation setting - the church where monarchs are crowned.
- Poets' Corner - the memorials to the great writers of England.
- The royal tombs - the resting places of kings and queens.
- The Lady Chapel - the fan-vaulted chapel of Henry VII.
When to go
Year-round; a fully indoor sight. It closes to visitors on Sundays and for services and special events, so check ahead and book a timed ticket; go early to avoid the biggest crowds.
Honest expectations
It is a working church, so it closes to sightseers on Sundays and for services and state events; check before going. It is busy and ticketed, and photography is often restricted inside. It is densely packed with tombs and memorials, rewarding an audio guide to make sense of it all.
Nearby
The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are next door; St James's Park and Buckingham Palace are a walk away.
What to pack for Westminster Abbey
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
