Westminster Abbey

What to expect

Westminster Abbey is a working church and the place where English and British monarchs have been crowned since 1066. A Benedictine monastery stood here by the 10th century, Edward the Confessor rebuilt it, and Henry III began the Gothic church you see now in 1245. Over 3,300 people are buried or commemorated inside, from kings and queens to poets and scientists.

You follow a set route through the nave, the royal chapels and the choir. It is a lot to take in. Highlights run from the medieval royal tombs to the late-Gothic Lady Chapel of Henry VII. Allow time for the cloisters and, if open, the Diamond Jubilee Galleries high in the church.

Don't miss

• Henry VII Lady Chapel and its ceiling
• Poets' Corner memorials
• Tombs of medieval kings and queens
• The cloisters and College Garden
• Octagonal Chapter House

Tips for your visit

• Most people spend about two hours, longer if you use the multimedia guide.
• Book a timed ticket online in busy months so you are not queuing outside.
• Dress respectfully: it is a place of worship and a working church.
• Pair it with Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, which are both a short walk away.