Westminster Abbey in london: Is it worth a visit?

February 23, 2025 Citie to Travel Comments Off

Westminster Abbey is the most famous and important church in the United Kingdom. More than one million people visit this extraordinary building every year. But is a visit to Westminster Abbey worthwhile during your city trip in London? In this blog we are going to tell you all about it.

Westminster Abbey, A place full of history

For nearly a thousand years, Westminster Abbey has been the scene of important events in the British monarchy . All coronations since William the Conqueror in 1066 have taken place here. Westminster Abbey is also the scene of royal events, such as the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 and the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. In addition, Westminster Abbey is also a necropolis with graves of more than 3,000 British personalities, such as monarchs, poets, politicians, musicians and writers, etc.

What is there to see in Westminster Abbey?

If you want to immerse yourself in London’s history, you should definitely visit Westminster Abbey. This architectural gem, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is much more than just a religious building and there are many special sights to discover inside the church. Below we have listed for you some of the sights not to be missed during your visit to Westminster Abbey.

1. The Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey

The Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey one of the most beautiful chapels in the abbey. It was built in 1516 in honor of the Virgin Mary and has a fan-shaped ceiling that is truly magnificent.

2. The coronation chair or King Edward's chair.

On this medieval chair the various monarchs (from William the Conqueror to King Charles III) were crowned. Until 1996, the Stone of Scone (Stone of Destiny), which lay under the chair, was used during the coronation ceremony. Today, this stone is located in Edinburgh Castle.

3. Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey

The Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey is a section in the church where more than 100 British poets and writers are buried or have a memorial, including Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, William Shakespeare and Isaac newton.

4. Royal tombs at Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is the final resting place of several British monarchs, including King Edward the Confessor, Queen Elizabeth I and Henry III.

5. Pyx Chamber

Built in 1070, the Pyx Chamber is one of the oldest surviving parts of Westminster Abbey. This low, vaulted room is part of the crypt, a space once used as a treasure room, referring to the chests of gold and silver coins kept there. The medieval tiled floor is still present.

6. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

On the west side of Westminster Abbey you will find the grave of the unknown soldier who participated in World War I (1914-1918). The latter’s body was brought from France to be buried here on November 11, 1920.

7. The choir of Westminster Abbey

During your visit to Westminster Abbey, you can see the old choir stalls from the 19th century and the original black and white marble floor from the 17th century. Also, the abbey choir still meets here daily to sing. This continues the tradition of the monks from the 10th century.

8. The Chapter Room

The Chapter House is a beautiful room located in the east cloister of Westminster Abbey. This room was a meeting place between the monks and the abbot. Here people could pray and conduct their affairs.

9. The cloisters of Westminster Abbey

Dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, the monasteries of Westminster Abbey are one of the most beautiful parts of Westminster Abbey. The monasteries were primarily used for ear prayer, meditation and rest, but they were also a link between the various brethren that made up Westminster Abbey.

Buying admission tickets to Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions and admission tickets usually sell out quickly. Therefore, we advise you to book your admission tickets online in advance to ensure you have access on the desired day.

Opening hours Westminster Abbey

The church is open every day Monday through Saturday. Sunday is reserved for religious services.

Monday through Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where is the Westminster Abbey in london?

Westminster Abbey is a short walk from the River Thames, near Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

How long does a visit to Westminster Abbey take?

Set aside 1.5 to 2 hours to tour Westminster Abbey.

Is a visit to Westminster Abbey worthwhile?

A visit to Westminster Abbey is a dive into the heart of British history and culture. Whether you are a lover of architecture, history or just curious about a distinctive place, this is one of the places you must have seen in London.

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