Sights · Our pick in London
Westminster Abbey
Coronation church since 1066
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Philip Pankhurst · CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey has been the coronation church since William the Conqueror was crowned here on Christmas Day 1066, and most of the present Gothic building dates from the 13th century, when Henry III rebuilt it. Inside are the tombs of monarchs, the shrine of Edward the Confessor, Poets’ Corner and the Coronation Chair. It is a working church, so check opening times; book tickets online, or attend a service such as Evensong.
Why it's on our list
- Coronations since 1066
- Royal tombs
- Poets’ Corner
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Westminster Abbey before you go.
Hotels nearby
The closest hotels in our guide to Westminster Abbey, as the crow flies.
- Conrad London St. James0.3 mi6 min walk
- Raffles London at The OWO0.4 mi8 min walk
- Corinthia London0.5 mi10 min walk
- Dukes London0.7 mi13 min walk
- The Stafford London0.7 mi14 min walk
What’s nearby
Distances from Westminster Abbey are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest stations
- WestminsterDistrictCircleJubilee0.2 mi3 min walk
- St. James's ParkDistrictCircle0.3 mi6 min walk
- EmbankmentDistrictBakerlooNorthernCircle0.6 mi12 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Broadway0.3 mi5 min walk
- Taxi rank, Millbank0.6 mi12 min walk
Black cabs can also be hailed in the street: a lit yellow TAXI sign means the cab is available.
Key sights
- London Eye0.4 miWalk 9 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Trafalgar Square0.6 miWalk 12 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Buckingham Palace0.7 miWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Leicester Square0.8 miWalk 16 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Covent Garden0.9 miWalk 18 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 10 min
- The British Museum1.4 miWalk 28 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 13 min
- Harrods1.5 miWalk 31 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 14 min
- The Shard1.8 miWalk 36 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 16 min
- Tower of London2.3 miCycle 15 minCar or taxi 20 min
Main rail terminals
- Charing Cross0.6 miWalk 12 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Waterloo0.6 miWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Victoria0.7 miWalk 14 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 8 min
- London Bridge1.9 miWalk 37 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 17 min
- Euston2.0 miWalk 41 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 18 min
- King’s Cross St Pancras2.2 miWalk 43 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 19 min
- St Pancras International (Eurostar)2.2 miWalk 45 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 20 min
- Liverpool Street2.3 miCycle 15 minCar or taxi 20 min
- Paddington2.3 miCycle 15 minCar or taxi 20 min