Located right in the heart of London, Westminster Abbey is just a stone's throw away from iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye. We highly recommend grouping them together for an epic day out! This magnificent church holds an incredibly important place in British royal history. The building itself has stood for centuries, showcasing breathtaking Gothic architecture inside and out. With the highest vaulted ceiling in the UK soaring 31 meters high and expansive, dazzling stained glass windows, it is an absolute marvel and definitely worth seeing with your own eyes.

Westminster Abbey is the stage for many of the British Royal Family's most important ceremonies, including coronations, royal weddings, and state funerals. Some of the most globally recognized events held here include the coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II, the funeral of Princess Diana, and the magnificent wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. It's easy to see how pivotal the Abbey is to the history and legacy of the British monarchy!

London Travel Info

★【Guide】：Top 36 London Attractions Guide
★【SIM Cards】：Europe 5G eSIM｜UK Unlimited 5G eSIM
★【Transport】：Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus｜Heathrow Express
★【Passes】：The London Pass｜London Explorer Pass
★【Tickets】：London Eye｜Tower Bridge｜Westminster Abbey｜Windsor Castle
★【Family】：Warner Bros. Studio Tour (Harry Potter)｜Peppa Pig World
★【Tours】：Stonehenge, Windsor Castle & Bath｜Stonehenge, Windsor Castle & Oxford｜Greenwich Observatory & Cambridge

Westminster Abbey Visitor Info

◆ Location: Dean's Yard, London｜Google Maps
◆ Opening Hours: Please check the official website
◆ Tickets: Official Website｜Klook｜Included in The London Pass & London Explorer Pass

Sitting right in central London, Westminster Abbey is within walking distance of other must-visit landmarks like the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. We highly suggest planning your itinerary to visit them all on the same day!

📌 Read Next: London Eye | A 360° Panoramic View of the City

Inside Westminster Abbey: Our Experience & Floor Plan

The Great West Door

The West Door of the Abbey beautifully highlights the soaring, slender characteristics of classic Gothic architecture.

Right above the entrance, you'll spot a row of ten incredibly detailed and lifelike statues. We later learned that rather than being ancient figures, they actually represent ten contemporary Christian martyrs from the 20th century.

The North Door

To step inside and begin your tour, you'll need to join the queue at the North Door entrance.

As a heads-up, photography is strictly prohibited inside the Abbey. However, understanding that visitors love to keep visual memories, the official website provides plenty of stunning photos to download. Most of the interior shots we’re sharing below are courtesy of the Abbey's official gallery!

The Nave

Situated at the west end is the spectacular Nave. Many great minds who made remarkable contributions to Britain and humanity rest in peace here, including Isaac Newton, the father of evolution Charles Darwin, the brilliant physicist Stephen Hawking, and David Livingstone, the missionary who campaigned to end the slave trade. You'll also notice the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, surrounded by bright red poppies, standing as a solemn memorial to the countless soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War.

The construction of this breathtaking Nave took nearly 150 years! Completed in 1517, it now boasts over 500 years of history. Its clever interior design utilizes highly decorative structural ribs, reducing the need for solid walls. Instead, those walls are replaced by massive stained glass windows, while the slender, sweeping columns support an opulent vaulted ceiling towering 31 meters above. It is the absolute pinnacle of Gothic architecture.

The massive stained glass window above the West Door is incredibly intricate (👇🏻 left), and the stunning rose window over the North Door is just as mesmerizing (👇🏻 right).

The Quire & High Altar

The intricately carved choir stalls facing each other, paired with the brilliant golden High Altar up front, create an atmosphere of profound reverence beneath the majestic domed ceilings.

Henry VII's Lady Chapel

Built by King Henry VII in 1503 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, this incredible chapel is widely known as Henry VII's Lady Chapel. Above the rows of carved stalls hang the colorful banners of the Knights of the Order of the Bath. Seeing this vibrant array of flags paired with the unbelievably delicate, fan-vaulted ceiling and the glowing stained glass at the far end is an experience we will never forget!

Poets' Corner

The Abbey's famous Poets' Corner is the final resting place for many of literature's greatest poets and writers. Among the memorials, you'll spot a prominent statue of the legendary William Shakespeare. Interestingly, because Shakespeare was already buried in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, proposals to move his remains here were ultimately rejected to let him rest in peace. However, this beautiful memorial statue was still erected in his honor!

The Coronation Chair

Standing about two meters tall, the Coronation Chair has a rich legacy. Since 1388, 38 British monarchs have been crowned on this very chair at Westminster Abbey, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, who officially took the throne here in 1953.

The Cloisters

Once we stepped out of the main Abbey and into the cloisters, photography was finally allowed! Looking out from the cloisters, you get a beautiful view of the central garth (courtyard). Surrounded by these covered walkways, the arched tracery of the cloister windows is exquisite, perfectly echoing the classic elegance of the stained glass inside the church.

On the walls of the cloisters, we found a touching memorial for the Armed Forces, reading: "Remember the men and women of the Armed and Auxiliary Forces who have lost their lives in times and places of conflict since the Second World War."

The Chapter House

The Chapter House is a spectacular octagonal hall. This lofty eight-sided space is completely surrounded by vibrant stained glass windows. Paired with its elegant vaulted ceiling, it is absolutely stunning—and yes, this is another spot where you can happily snap away with your camera!

The Pyx Chamber

Inside the Pyx Chamber, you can find the oldest surviving wooden door in Britain, alongside medieval altars and ancient floor tiles that have been beautifully preserved through the ages.

The Museum

Everywhere you look in Westminster Abbey, you'll find traces of British history, both big and small. The museum area even displays fascinating funeral effigies of past monarchs dressed in traditional attire!

To be honest, calling Westminster Abbey just a "church" feels like an understatement; it is more like a magnificent, self-contained history museum. Not only do you feel the solemnity of a place of worship, but you also step right into the deep, enduring pages of Britain's past.

Final Thoughts

Wrapped in the aura of the British Royal Family and housing the legacies of some of the most influential figures in history, Westminster Abbey is truly spectacular. Combined with its jaw-dropping Gothic architecture, we cannot recommend it enough. If you’re in London, make sure you take the time to go inside!

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For more London travel tips, check out our guide 👉🏻 London Travel Guide: Top 36 Must-Visit Attractions ★ Map, Transport & Itinerary

More London Travel Guides

★【Guide】Top 36 London Attractions + Transport & Itinerary Guide
★【London Eye】360° Panoramic City Views | See Big Ben, Parliament & Westminster Abbey
★【Tower Bridge】Top 5 Things to Do Around Tower Bridge
★【Borough Market】London's Most Popular & Oldest Food Market Guide
★【London Hotel Review】The Highly-Rated Hilton London Bankside
★【Christmas in London】Christmas Day Itinerary & Tips
★【Christmas Lights】The Most Magical London Christmas Lights Route
★【Christmas Market】Festive Fun at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
★【Christmas Guide】15 Must-Do Christmas Activities in London

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