Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

General information

Frequently asked questions about opening hours and location information.

Westminster Abbey is in the heart of London, close to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Our address is

20 Dean's Yard
London
SW1P 3PA

Plan your journey

Plan your journey on the TFL website.

By rail

The nearest railway stations are: 

  • Charing Cross, about 1,100 metres (16 minutes)
  • London Waterloo, about 1,400 metres (19 minutes)
  • London Victoria, about 1,700 metres (24 minutes) 

By underground

The nearest underground stations to the Abbey are:

  • Westminster, Jubilee, District & Circle line - about 300 metres (4 minutes)
  • St James's Park, District & Circle line - about 500 metres (6 minutes)

Please visit the Transport for London website for further information on accessible transport options to the Abbey.

By bus

Full bus route information is available on the TFL Journey Planner.

By bike

Plan your journey by bicycle.

Bike racks are available close to the Abbey and can be found on the Transport for London cycle parking website.

Please note that folding bikes are not permitted in the Abbey.

By car, taxi or Dial-a-Ride

  • Plan your journey by car.
  • There are no car parking facilities at the Abbey.
  • Disabled parking: Blue Badge holders in Westminster can park in designated disabled bays, pay-and-display bays, and on single yellow lines under certain conditions, with specific rules for controlled hours and exemptions.

The Abbey is usually open for visiting between:

Monday: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Tuesday: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Wednesday: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Thursday: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Friday: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Saturday: 9.30am – 3.00pm

Sunday: Open for services

As a working church, we occasionally close for special services. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our entry times page.

Westminster Abbey runs a wide range of tours throughout the year, including Verger, Group, Schools, Universities and Community Group tours.

Upcoming tours can be booked via our Events at Westminster Abbey page.   

Facilities

Frequently asked questions about the Abbey's building and facilities.

There is no cloakroom available at Westminster Abbey. Visitors are advised to carry their bags and luggage, as there are no designated cloakrooms or luggage storage facilities on-site.

There are toilets located in the Cloisters and the lobby of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries.

Yes, audio described tours are available when visiting the Abbey. You can access the guide using a device we supply, or download a shortened version of the guide on your mobile or tablet.

There is also a British Sign Language (BSL) version of our multimedia tour available, and we offer printed transcripts of the tour (in 14 languages).

There are no left luggage facilities at Westminster Abbey. Large items, such as suitcases and large backpacks, are not admitted and bags of any size with wheels are not allowed into the Abbey.

Baby changing facilities are located in the Cloisters. Westminster Abbey is a nursing friendly venue and you are welcome to nurse anywhere in the church. Please speak to a member of staff should you require a more private space.

The Cellarium Café and Terrace is open from 8:00am – 4:00pm on the days the Abbey is open to visitors, serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Opening times can sometimes vary, so please check before visiting. 

Accessibility

Frequently asked questions about accessibility at the Abbey.

The Abbey is accessible for wheelchair users, and we have wheelchairs that you are welcome to use. Please ask a Marshal when you arrive.

A lift provides step-free, wheelchair-accessible entry to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries. Abbey Marshals are on hand to assist with the lift, and borrowed wheelchairs are suitable for use in the Galleries.

Guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are welcome at the Abbey.

Accessible toilets are located in the Cloisters.

The Abbey is equipped with a hearing loop system that covers the whole of the Abbey main building. This system is used at all services.

There is also a British Sign Language (BSL) version of our multimedia guide available, and we offer printed transcripts of the tour (in 14 languages).

Audio described tours are available when visiting the Abbey. You can access the guide using a device we supply, or download a shortened version of the guide on your mobile or tablet.

If you require any assistance or require further information regarding access ahead of your visit please email [email protected].

 

There are no car parking facilities at the Abbey, but there is a drop off space outside the Abbey's West Doors.

We offer free admission to registered disabled visitors and their essential companion. You can book tickets in advance via our ticketing website.

Visitor guidelines

Frequently asked questions about visiting the Abbey.

Small bags up to 40×30×20cm are permitted inside Westminster Abbey. Luggage of any size, large backpacks, and any bag or case with wheels are not allowed. There are no left luggage facilities at the Abbey — the nearest facilities are at Charing Cross and Victoria stations. 

Outside food and drink are not permitted inside Westminster Abbey, with the exception of sealed items or food and drink required for medical or family purposes. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any time. Bottled water is welcome. The Cellarium Café is open on all visitor days serving breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. 

Personal photography is welcome in most areas of Westminster Abbey. The following are not permitted: 

  • Flash photography
  • Video recording
  • Selfie sticks, tripods, and monopods
  • Professional video equipment
  • Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles 

Photography is not permitted during services. Photography of children and young people requires the consent of an accompanying adult. 

Photography is not permitted at any time in the:

  • Shrine of St Edward the Confessor
  • St Faith’s Chapel
  • The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries

For security reasons, weapons, hazardous materials, and illegal items are not permitted inside Westminster Abbey under any circumstances. This includes cutting tools, pepper spray, aerosols, flammable liquids, fireworks, and explosives. 

No recreational equipment is permitted inside Westminster Abbey. This includes:

  • E-scooters, scooters, and skateboards
  • Roller skates, roller blades, and any wheeled footwear
  • Sporting goods and other recreational equipment

Please leave all recreational equipment at home or stored securely before your visit.

The following items are also not permitted inside Westminster Abbey:

  • Portable speakers, air horns, and musical instruments
  • Paints, adhesives, glues, and coloured markers — pencils only are permitted for sketching
  • Banners, signs, confetti, balloons, plants, and flower arrangements
  • Costumes or masks covering the full face
  • Pets — registered assistance dogs are welcome and must remain on lead and under control at all times
  • Large umbrellas

Plan your visit

Frequently asked questions about planning a visit at the Abbey.

Most visitors to Westminster Abbey spend between one and a half and two hours exploring the main highlights. Allowing two to three hours is recommended if you plan to visit the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, explore the Cloisters, and take in the full audio guide.

The Abbey covers a large area and there is a great deal to see, so visitors who wish to explore at a relaxed pace should allow three hours or more.

Westminster Abbey operates a single-entry policy. Once you exit the Abbey you will not be able to re-enter on the same ticket.

If you are planning to visit the Cellarium Café or the Abbey shop and wish to return to the main church afterwards, please speak to an Abbey Marshal before you leave.

Westminster Abbey is an active place of worship and visitors are asked to dress respectfully. There is no strict dress code for tourist visits, but clothing should be modest and appropriate for a working church.

Visitors attending services at Westminster Abbey are particularly asked to dress smartly. Comfortable, flat shoes are recommended as the Abbey's floors are uneven in places and visitors may spend considerable time on their feet. 

Westminster Abbey is a working church and services are held throughout the day. During services, some or all areas of the Abbey may be closed to tourist visitors. Visitors already inside the Abbey during a service are welcome to stay and participate or observe quietly and respectfully.

On Sundays and religious holidays including Easter and Christmas, the Abbey is open for worship only and tourist visiting is not available. Service times are published on our Service and Times page. 

Westminster Abbey is generally quietest on weekday mornings, particularly Tuesday to Thursday before midday. Visiting early in the morning shortly after opening at 9.30am typically offers a calmer experience with fewer crowds. Peak visiting times are late mornings and early afternoons, particularly at weekends and during school holidays.

Visitors with sensory sensitivities or those who prefer a quieter environment are welcome to contact the visitor experience team in advance at [email protected] for advice on the best time to visit.

Pushchairs and prams are welcome at Westminster Abbey and are permitted in most areas of the Abbey. Some narrow sections and individual chapels may require pushchairs to be temporarily parked, and Abbey Marshals will advise on the day.

The main visitor routes are step-free and accessible for pushchairs. Baby changing facilities are available in the Cloisters. Westminster Abbey is also a nursing-friendly venue and visitors are welcome to nurse anywhere in the church — please speak to a member of staff if you require a more private space.

What's on

Frequently asked questions about events and services at the Abbey.

You can find out about upcoming services and our year-round events programme on our website.

We also offer special events for guided tour groups, schools, universities, families, and community groups.

Our weekday daily services are Morning Prayer, Holy Communion and Evensong.

Everyone is welcome at our regular services, free of charge. They aren't ticketed so please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

 

 

Ticketing

Frequently asked questions about tickets.

You can book tickets to visit Westminster Abbey through the 'Book tickets' link on the website.

There is no fee for booking tickets either online or in person.

There’s no charge to attend a service at Westminster Abbey. 

Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable once purchased. We are under no obligation to issue refunds if you cancel your ticket.

If you miss your timed entry slot, please let a member of staff know so that they can assist you with entry to the Abbey.

For general ticket enquiries, please contact us at [email protected] or on +44 (0)20 7222 5152.

When you book your tickets, you will receive an email confirmation. If you haven't received a confirmation email please check your spam filters, and then contact [email protected] or on +44 (0)20 7222 5152.

There may be a limited number of tickets available on the door, but pre-booking tickets online is advisable.

Retail and shop

Frequently asked questions about the shop and retail services.

If you have any queries or questions about an online purchase please email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 20 7654 4900.

If you have any queries about an online order, please email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 20 7654 4900.

When you place an online order, you will receive an email confirmation from the [email protected] email address. If you have not received the email please check your spam filters and then get in touch with us by email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 20 7654 4900.

If you have questions about items for sale in the Abbey Shop, please email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 20 7654 4900.

The Abbey shop is open from 9:15am to 6:30pm on the days the Abbey is open to visitors, and on Sundays. Opening times can sometimes vary, so do check our entry times page for up-to-date information.

Support

Frequently asked questions about membership and support at Westminster Abbey.

You can make a donation to support the work of the Abbey by visiting our Make a Donation page. 

If you would like to leave the Abbey a gift in your will, you can visit our Leave a legacy page. 

Working at the Abbey

Frequently asked questions about working and volunteering at the Abbey.

All Abbey job opportunities are advertised on our careers portal.

You can find out about opportunities to volunteer at the Abbey on our volunteering portal.

Last reviewed: 5 June 2026

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