Loading Page...

What do I need to know before going to Westminster Abbey?

Unless you're visiting the abbey for individual prayer, you will need to buy a ticket to enter Westminster Abbey. As the abbey is a working church, it may be closed partially or completely for events or ceremonies. It is better that you check the abbey's schedule and pre-book your online tickets to ensure entry.



Before visiting Westminster Abbey in 2026, the most important thing to know is that it is an active place of worship, not just a museum. Therefore, a "respectful-chic" dress code is expected; while there is no strict rule against jeans, you should avoid "beachwear" or overly revealing clothing. To see the interior's most famous sites—including the Coronation Chair, the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and Poets' Corner—you must purchase a ticket, which costs approximately £27–£30 and should be booked online in advance to avoid long queues. If you wish to attend a daily service (like Evensong), entry is free, but you will not be allowed to tour the royal tombs or monuments during the worship. Note that photography is strictly prohibited during services and in some of the more sensitive chapel areas to maintain the sanctity of the space. For the best experience, budget at least 2 hours for your visit and consider paying the small extra fee to visit the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, which are located high above the Abbey floor in the 13th-century triforium and offer the most spectacular views of the architecture and the Houses of Parliament.

People Also Ask

Is Westminster Abbey worth it? With its burial sites for kings, queens, writers, and scientists, its long, rich history, and its importance as a coronation site for English and British monarchs, Westminster Abbey is one of the most awe-inspiring churches in the world to visit.

MORE DETAILS

Unless you're visiting the abbey for individual prayer, you will need to buy a ticket to enter Westminster Abbey. As the abbey is a working church, it may be closed partially or completely for events or ceremonies. It is better that you check the abbey's schedule and pre-book your online tickets to ensure entry.

MORE DETAILS

11 Things You Can´t Miss in Westminster Abbey
  • The Lady Chapel. Walking through The Lady Chapel| ©Jim Dyson. ...
  • The Coronation Chair. The Coronation Chair| ©Can Pac Swire. ...
  • The Royal Tombs. Queen Elizabeth's Tomb| ©Jacob Truedson Demitz. ...
  • Poets' Corner. ...
  • The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. ...
  • Pyx Chamber. ...
  • The Choir. ...
  • The Cloisters Cloisters.


MORE DETAILS

Yes, visitors may take personal photographs whilst in Westminster Abbey. Please don't use flash, selfie sticks, or tripods. You cannot take video recordings. During services, you cannot take photos.

MORE DETAILS

Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral are two separate buildings. Westminster Abbey is an Anglican Church, whereas Westminster Cathedral is a Roman Catholic one. The two buildings are separated by 400m not to mention almost 1,000 years of history, with Westminster Cathedral consecrated in 1910.

MORE DETAILS

Visitors will be able to book a maximum of eight tickets per person, depending on availability. The Big Ben tour is not suitable for everyone. Visitors must be aged 11 and over and be comfortable climbing 334 steps and experiencing high noise levels from the clock mechanism and bells - earplugs will be provided.

MORE DETAILS

Pages in category Weddings at Westminster Abbey
  • Wedding of Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.
  • Wedding of Princess Alexandra and Angus Ogilvy.
  • Wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
  • Wedding of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips.


MORE DETAILS