Westminster Abbey
The gothic coronation church of English monarchs since 1066 — Poets' Corner, royal tombs and daily choral services.
About
Why visit Westminster Abbey
Every English coronation since William the Conqueror in 1066 has taken place at Westminster Abbey. The gothic masterpiece holds more than 3,000 tombs and memorials — from Elizabeth I to Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking — and is the burial place of 17 monarchs. Diana and Kate both walked down its aisle; so did the crowns of Charles III and Elizabeth II.
- It has hosted 16 royal weddings, most recently William and Catherine in 2011.
- Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking are all buried in the nave.
- The abbey is a 'Royal Peculiar' — answerable directly to the sovereign, not a bishop.
Not to miss
Highlights
The moments that define a visit to Westminster Abbey.
The Coronation Chair
Used by every English monarch crowned since 1308.
Poets' Corner
Memorials to Chaucer, Dickens, the Brontës and Shakespeare.
Royal tombs
Elizabeth I and Mary I lie together; the Unknown Warrior at the west end.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries
Views down onto the nave from the medieval triforium.
Right for you?
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Local know-how
Visitor tips
Small things that turn a good visit into a great one.
Attend Evensong (typically weekdays at 17:00) for free entry and world-class choral music.
Arrive at opening to see Poets' Corner before tour groups.
Photography is not allowed inside the abbey except in the Diamond Jubilee Galleries.
Nearby
Combine with
Other guides within a short walk.
Big Ben & Houses of Parliament
The Elizabeth Tower, Westminster Palace and Whitehall — the medieval heart of British government.
Open guideLondon Eye
135m Thames-side observation wheel with 360° views across Westminster and the City.
Open guideBuckingham Palace
The King's official London residence — State Rooms open in summer, Changing of the Guard year-round.
Open guideSee it with a guide
Tours & experiences
Curated picks across guided walks, skip-the-line entry and after-hours access.