Westminster Abbey & Houses of Parliament Guided Tour

About this tour

This guided walk pairs two of London's defining landmarks. You'll head into Westminster Abbey, the coronation church of English and British monarchs, without the usual ticket queue, then move on to the Houses of Parliament. Along the way an English-speaking guide, with a headset so you catch every word, covers the royal and political history behind what you're seeing, from the Coronation Chair and Poets' Corner to the 900-year-old Westminster Hall. Admission to both sites is included.

Highlights

• See the Coronation Chair, used to crown monarchs for around 700 years
• Stand in Poets' Corner, where Shakespeare, Chaucer and Dickens are honored
• See the tombs of kings, queens and other figures who shaped the nation
• Take in the Gothic architecture and stained glass of the Abbey
• Step inside the historic House of Commons and House of Lords chambers
• Admire the Victorian Gothic detailing of the Palace of Westminster
• Walk through 900-year-old Westminster Hall, the Palace's oldest surviving part
• Hear centuries of British political history and tradition from your guide
• See the grandeur of the Royal Gallery and Central Lobby
• Look up at the fan vaulting of the Lady Chapel, one of the finest in England
• Pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior near the west entrance
• Stand among the graves and memorials of Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking

Places You Will Visit

Included / Excluded

Good to Know: What You'll See, Getting There, Hours and Dress Code

The Abbey packs a lot of history into one building, so a guide helps you make sense of it. Inside you'll pass through its chapels, tombs and monuments, including the High Altar set over a Cosmati pavement, St Edward's Chapel with the Coronation Chair, and Poets' Corner, where Shakespeare, Chaucer and Dickens are honored. The Royal Tombs hold monarchs such as Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots, while the octagonal Chapter House and the quiet Cloisters show the Abbey's monastic side. Most visitors spend around two to three hours taking it all in.

Westminster Abbey sits in central London at Dean's Yard, SW1P 3PA. The nearest Underground stop is Westminster, on the Circle, District and Jubilee lines, and several bus routes stop close by. Street parking is very limited, so public transport is the easier bet. The Houses of Parliament are right next door, which is what makes visiting both in one go so straightforward.

Abbey visiting hours are 09:30 to 15:30 Monday through Friday and 09:00 to 15:00 on Saturday. It is closed to sightseeing on Sunday, when it is open for worship only. Hours can shift for services and special events, so your booked date and time is the thing to go by. Both the Abbey and Parliament remain working institutions, so dress modestly and expect security checks at the entrance.

Weather in London

Today 56°F13°C 47°F9°C Rain 100%

Today 60°F16°C 45°F7°C Rain 100%

Tomorrow 55°F13°C 50°F10°C Rain 74%

Mon, Oct 26 62°F17°C 50°F10°C Rain 59%

Tue, Oct 27 62°F17°C 51°F10°C Rain 41%

Wed, Oct 28 59°F15°C 49°F10°C Rain 6%

Thu, Oct 29 57°F14°C 47°F8°C Rain 5%

Local time 4:03 AM, UTC+01:00

Available Days / Times

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday : 09:00, 13:30
• Sunday

Last updated: Oct 23, 2026