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Verger-guided tours
Guided tours, led by our vergers, are a great way to see the Abbey. School groups and private tour groups are also welcome to visit.
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Dean’s Verger welcomes HM The Queen with new verge
Wednesday, 16th October 2019
The Dean’s Verger at Westminster Abbey, Martin Castledine, carried a new silver verge marking the 750th anniversary of the building of Henry III’s Abbey.
The Dean's Verger leads the Dean, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, to the West Gate to welcome the Monarch when she visits.
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Special verger tours: Association members
Monday, 8th January 2024
Join two of our expert vergers on a tour that will take you behind the scenes at the Abbey and see how the clergy prepare for different services and occasions.
Behind the scenes tour Verger Ben Sheward will explain and demonstrate how we prepare for our daily services and arrange the vestments - the liturgical garments...
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Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the feast of Christ the King 2023
Sunday, 26th November 2023
Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the feast of Christ the King 2023: Today is a summons to believe in God, not ourselves. It is the Feast of Christ the King.
On the Feast of Christ the King I grimace at the Minor Canons and I scowl the Dean’s Verger.
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15th Eric Symes Abbott Memorial Lecture
Thursday, 4th May 2000
Delivered by The Reverend Canon Dr Martyn Percy at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 4th May 2000 and subsequently at Keble College, Oxford and the Cathedral, Sheffield.
...up his family living in 1805 (at Alderley, Cheshire), the custom was that the Verger waited on the path leading to the church, the Vicar only being called if...
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Sermon on The Feast of the Presentation of Christ 2020
Sunday, 2nd February 2020
Vicars live in Vicarages, Rectors live in Rectories and Deans live in Deaneries. This is important; it assures us we've put them in their place.
I did not hear it, but a friend told me that one verger turned to another and said ‘The Dean’s gone rogue’.
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Vestments and frontals
The Abbey uses many different vestments and altar hangings during the year.
...Lent Guild of St Faith The Guild was founded in 1982 by Maureen Jupp, former Canons' Verger, to repair and make new vestments and hangings for the Abbey and for...
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Sermon at Memorial Eucharist For Eric Symes Abbott
Wednesday, 12th June 1985
Delivered by The Reverend John Robson. Chaplain of Wellington College, Berkshire.
...TV cameras; lameness which could not be wholly hidden under the copes and the discreet use of his verger Algys shoulder as he ascended the steps of the
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13th Eric Symes Abbott Memorial Lecture
Thursday, 7th May 1998
Delivered by Canon Eric James FKC at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 7th May 1998 and subsequently at Keble College, Oxford.
“Who’s preaching?” I asked a friendly verger.
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Visit us
Explore a place that's touched the lives of kings, queens, and statesmen, poets, heroes and villains. Westminster Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066.
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Martin - The Dean’s Verger
It’s a privilege to live and work here – the Abbey really is the heart of the country and its history.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Westminster Abbey runs a wide range of tours throughout the year, including Verger, Group, Schools, Universities and Community Group tours.
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John Hall retires as Dean of Westminster
The Very Reverend Dr John Hall has retired after 13 years as Dean of Westminster. He presided at a valedictory Eucharist on Friday 1st November.
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Guy Gascoyne
Carpenter
Guy Gascoyne, Abbey verger and carpenter, was buried in the north transept in the reign of Mary I but no marker remains for him.
Gascoyne, carpenter, and Sexton and Verger at Westminster Abbey, was buried in February 1556 (1557 in New Style dating), aged 82. The epitaph on his gravestone...
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Benjamin Fidoe
Benjamin Fidoe was buried in the cloisters. He was a verger from 1725 and in 1748 became butler and brewer to the College of Westminster.
He was an Abbey verger from 1725 and in 1748 became butler and brewer to the College of Westminster and Clerk of Works to the Abbey until his death.
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Abbey documentary series to air on Channel 5
Channel 5 is to screen a major new six-part documentary series bringing viewers behind the scenes at Westminster Abbey.
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Abbey staff honoured for role in The Late Queen’s funeral
Monday, 27th March 2023
Three members of the Abbey staff have been honoured for their role in the funeral of The Late Queen last September.
Martin Castledine, the Dean's Verger, was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal.
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Womens' Voluntary Service roll of honour
In the nave of Westminster Abbey is displayed the Womens' Voluntary Service (WVS) roll of honour for those who died during the Second World War.
Further information To see names in the roll please contact the Dean's Verger of the Abbey
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Nicholas Ludford
Musician and Composer
Composer Nicholas Ludford (c.1490-1557) was buried in St Margaret's church Westminster on 9th August 1557 but he has no marker or monument.
Nicholas was employed in the chapel of St Stephen in the Palace of Westminster, possibly as a lay clerk, and as organist and verger.
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HM The Queen awards Maundy monies to Abbey recipients
Thursday, 1st April 2021
Members of the Abbey community have received Maundy monies from Her Majesty The Queen in recognition of their long service to the church.
Jupp Maureen was the Abbey’s first female verger, and since 1982, has been Co-ordinator of the Guild of St Faith - a group of seamstresses and embroiderers...
