Temples & religious sites
Westminster Abbey
What it is
Westminster Abbey is a Gothic-style Anglican church in the Westminster area of central London. It is where British coronations and other major state occasions have historically taken place, and travellers visit for its scale, its architecture, and the sense of continuous royal and national history contained inside. It stands directly next to the Houses of Parliament, so the two are naturally combined into one visit.
Getting there
From central London, the Abbey is reached easily by Underground via Westminster station, followed by a short walk of a few minutes. Buses also serve the area along Victoria Street and Parliament Square. From Heathrow Airport (LHR), allow roughly 45 minutes to an hour by Underground into central London, plus the short walk from Westminster station.
How much time to allow
Most visitors spend around 1.5 to 2 hours inside, enough time to walk through the main nave, chapels, and monuments at an unhurried pace.
When to go
The Abbey draws large numbers of visitors, particularly around midday and in the summer months, so mornings tend to be calmer. Because it remains an active place of worship, access can be affected by services and state events, so it is worth checking ahead if visiting on a specific date.
What to combine it with
Given the tight cluster of sights in this part of London, a single outing can easily cover several places on foot:
- St Margaret's Church, Westminster (0.1km) — right beside the Abbey, an easy add-on before or after.
- Big Ben (0.2km) — the Houses of Parliament and clock tower are a short walk away.
- St James's Park (0.6km) — a good stop for a walk or a break afterward.
- London Eye (0.7km) — across the river, reachable on foot in around 10-15 minutes.
Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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