This is what it's like to visit Westminster Abbey (London): opening hours, prices

One of the essential visits in your trip to london is undoubtedly the Westminster Abbey, the great cathedral of the kings of england, whose coronations it has hosted since that of William the Conqueror 1066 the year.

Therefore, your first visit to the British capital will be incomplete if you do not visit this imposing cathedral, place where the funeral is held Queen isabel II.

La Westminster Abbey you find it in front of the Parliament, and it is one of the iconic buildings of London which shows great reminiscences of the french cathedrals, Such as Chartres, Reims and Amiens.

However, its origin dates back to the year 960, when a Benedictine monastery was built on the site it currently occupies.

Curiosities of history Westminster Abbey

It was later, in 1245, when the king henry iii The construction of the building that we can currently see began.

Following the tastes of the king, the architect in charge of its construction, Henry de Reynes, built the cathedral according to the guidelines of the french gothic style.

But the construction was delayed during the following centuries, so that the Westminster Abbey It was also acquiring characteristics typical of the english gothic style.

The main part of the abbey, including the nave, was completed in 1532, although the two beautiful towers on the west façade were not completed until the mid-XNUMXth century.

La Westminster Abbey London It is a cathedral building of great beauty, but, above all, it is a great pantheon and a necropolis, since over the centuries more than 5.000 illustrious figures from the history of Great Britain have been buried there.

This is the experience of visiting Westminster Abbey

To visit Westminster Abbey You must enter through the façade of the north transept, which you will recognize because it has a large rose window.

This is the first thing you should take into account, since it is one of the most important and most touristic monuments in London, the visit inside the Westminster Abbey You are going to do it surrounded by many people.

And in some certain corners, the walk through the cathedral can even be somewhat overwhelming.

Once you have entered the interior of the cathedral, after paying the entrance fee you can go to the counter where they will provide you with the audioguide, which will be very useful for your visit, and whose service is already included in said price.

Don't forget to take the brochure with the cathedral plan, where you have the information about the route to be taken, and the numbers that you have to select in the audioguide when reaching the different sectors.

On the other hand, keep in mind that It is not allowed to take photos or film videos. inside the cathedral; You can only do it in the Cloister thereof.

Choir and High Altar of Westminster Abbey

In your walk through Westminster Abbey the first thing you can see is the Chorus and the High altar.

The first occupies the center of the central nave of the cathedral, which at 31 meters high is the tallest in England.

This central space is where the coronations of the princes traditionally take place. kings of england.

Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey

Next you will visit the chapels on the sides and behind the High altar.

The most important, without a doubt, is the Lady Chapel, which is how the chapel of Henry VII.

It is a large room of enormous architectural beauty, with a ceiling with impressive fan vaults.

Right behind the High altar the tomb of Edward the Confessor, which is surrounded by the tombs of five kings and three queens.

Coronation Throne in Westminster Abbey

You can also see the history coronation throne, and the Stone of Scone, Destiny Stone which was used near Perth (Scotland) for the coronation of Scottish kings, which was moved to the Westminster Abbey in 1296.

Also in that area you can enter the small chapel where the tombs of the queens Elizabeth I of England y Mary of Scotland.

Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey

On the south side of the transept of the Westminster Abbey London the so-called Poets' Corner (Poets Corner).

Chaucer, author of the Canterbury Tales, was the first writer buried in 1400, and a commemorative plaque was placed in that corner.

Over time, many other famous writers were buried in that area of ​​the city. Westminster Abbey, so when you visit it, you will be able to see the plates dedicated to Shakespeare, Byron o Milton, among others.

Westminster Abbey Chapter House

Next, it's time to head out to the Cloister, where you will continue to see numerous tombs and commemorative plaques, to access the beautiful Chapter Room, which is oriented to the east side of the cathedral.

This is a very beautiful octagonal room, which was built in the mid-13th century during the reign of Henry III. 

Initially it was used as a meeting room for Benedictine monks, but from 1352 it became the House of Commons.

As soon as you arrive in front of the double doors of the Chapter House of Westminster Abbey, London, which dates back to the year 1050 and is considered the oldest in England, you will be struck by the beautiful decoration of geometric gothic style.

Specifically, the design of the only central pillar which extends with eight ribs towards the vaulted ceiling.

And also the very high stained glass that are arranged on each of the sides of this octagonal room, as well as the medieval paintings that decorate the walls.

But you should also look at the varnished tiles that spread across the floor of the Chapter House; originals from the year 1250, are considered one of the great artistic pieces of the Westminster Abbey.

La Chapter Room It was finally restored in 1872.

After going around the Cloister, you will re-enter the central naveBetween the Chorus and the west door.

In this area you can continue seeing numerous plaques of illustrious figures in the history of England who have been buried in Westminster Abbey, As is the case Darwin.

The visit will end when you leave through the aforementioned west door, and I assure you that you will leave with the feeling of having taken a “big dip” in the history of the United Kingdom.

Westminster Abbey visit schedules

The  Westminster Abbey visiting hours They are, in normal times, Monday to Friday, from 9,30:16,30 a.m. to 15,30:XNUMX p.m., with last entry at XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

On Saturdays the visit is, from May to August, from 9 a.m. to 16 p.m., and from September to April, from 9 a.m. to 14 p.m. (last entry, one hour before on both days).

Importantly, On Sundays, Westminster Abbey is only open for worship., not for the tourist visit.

On the other hand, within the abbey there are areas with specific visiting hours.

Thus, with its renewed presence, the Visiting hours of the Chapter House, as well as the Westminster Abbey museum, is from 10 a.m. to 16,30:XNUMX p.m. (closed on Sundays), and the Abbey cloister It opens from 9,30:16,30 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

In view of your visit, and due to possible changes that may occur, before your visit we advise you check the opening hours of Westminster Abbey.

Westminster Abbey ticket prices

The  ticket prices They are, for adults, 25 pounds.

There are also various reduced prices for children (6 to 17 years, £7; up to 5 years, free), for seniors+65 and students, £20, and discount for families.

It should be noted that to carry out the visit of Westminster Abbey can you download the app with the audio tour in Spanish.

Guided tours of Westminster Abbey

To tour this London monument, you have the option of signing up for a official guided tour of Westminster Abbey of those carried out every day by their own deans of the cathedral; These visits are made only in English .

Here you can consult the guided tour schedules, which you must reserve at the entrance box office, and the price is 10 pounds.