Access, facilities and FAQ
We want your visit to the Abbey to be safe and enjoyable, so offer some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit.
We offer free admission to registered disabled visitors and their carer. Tickets are available on the door, on the day of entry and cannot be pre-booked. Our entry team will be happy to arrange fast-track access for anyone who needs this.
If you are travelling with others who need to purchase an entry ticket, these can be pre-booked via our ticketing site, and all members of the same party can enter together.
Entry is via the North Door where there is a small ramped step. For those wishing to visit the Cloisters or the Abbey gardens, accessible entry is via Dean’s Yard/Cloister entrance, where staff our on hand to assist with ticket issue and access.
Should you require any more information regarding access please email visitor.experience@westminster-abbey.org.
Accessibility guides
For a detailed disabled access guide to Westminster Abbey, please visit the AccessAble website.
Wheelchairs
We have wheelchairs you can use - please ask an Abbey Marshal when you arrive.
Assistance dogs
Guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are welcome. We don't allow other animals.
Visitors with hearing difficulties
The Abbey is equipped with a hearing loop system that covers the whole of the Abbey main building. This system is used at all Services.
A British Sign Language version of our multimedia tour is available. We also offer printed transcripts of the tour (in 14 languages).
Accessible toilets
Accessible toilets are located in the cloisters and the lobby of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries.
Buying tickets
You can visit the Abbey by purchasing your tickets in advance. There may be a limited number of tickets available on the door, but we strongly recommend pre-booking your tickets on our website.
Disabled visitors and carers
We offer free admission to disabled visitors and their carers. Tickets are available on the door, on the day of entry and cannot be pre-booked.
Email visitor.experience@westminster-abbey.org if you have any questions.
Rescheduling visits
Tickets are non-refundable, however, if your plans are impacted by changing COVID-19 guidance/regulations or infection/self-isolation, you can use your unused ticket anytime within 6 months of your original date of visit.
Email tickets@westminster-abbey.org if you have any questions.
London Pass
There is no need to pre-book. Access is granted subject to capacity. Please check our entry times before arrival. Entry is via the North Green.
Westminster City Save
We offer discounted admission for residents of the City of Westminster, using the City Save card. Please visit Westminster City Save for full terms and conditions. Access is granted subject to capacity. Please check our entry times before arrival. Card-holders will need to present their City Save card on entry. Entry is via the North Green.
Association membership
There is no need to pre-book. Please check our entry times before arrival. Entry is via the Great West Door.
Personal photography is permitted in the Abbey church and the Cloisters, but we ask that you do not use a flash or take pictures during services.
Video recording, extra lighting, selfie sticks and tripods are not permitted, and it is not possible to take photos in the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor, St Faith’s Chapel or The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries.
Please see our photography page for more information, where you will also find a photo gallery of high-quality images which you can download and use free of charge.
If you want to take photos for public or professional use, please email the Press Office.
As Westminster Abbey is a church and place of daily worship, we ask you to show respect and sensitivity in the way you dress.
In winter, it can be quite cold inside the Abbey, so please dress warmly. We also recommend sensible footwear, as the Abbey floor and steps are uneven.
Accessible toilets are located in the Cloisters.
We warmly welcome children and young people to the Abbey but we ask that children under 17 are accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over.
If you have any questions or special needs for your visit, please contact families@westminster-abbey.org.
Nursing my child
Westminster Abbey is a nursing friendly venue and you are welcome to nurse anywhere in the church. Please speak to a member of staff should you require a more private space.
Buggies in the Abbey
You are very welcome to bring your buggy into the Abbey. Please note that we do not have any specialist buggy park spaces and that some areas of the Abbey have steps — this includes the entrance to the Lady Chapel and applies when moving between the Cloisters and main church.
Family activities
Find out more about family activities at the Abbey.
Baby changing facilities
Baby changing facilities are located in the Cloisters.
These can be quite far from certain areas in the Abbey, ask a member of staff for the fastest route to them.
Food and drink
You can eat your packed lunch in the Cloisters or to buy lunch from the Kiosk.
We do not charge for our services. All are welcome free of charge. We take a collection at Sunday services, with the money going to nominated organisations and charities. You are welcome to contribute.
We also do not charge people who are visiting for prayer. Please enter by the Great West Door entrance - you can ask one of our Abbey Marshals on the gate for directions.
All visitors are welcome to light candles in front of the icons in the Nave of the Abbey.
Many people come to Westminster Abbey seeking God’s forgiveness, healing and wholeness, as part of their journey as followers of Jesus Christ.
Subject to the availability of a member of the clergy, we may be able to offer a brief pastoral conversation if there is a particular need, which we will try to make as private as possible whilst maintaining social distancing. Please speak to an Abbey Marshal in the first instance.
We regret that we cannot currently offer the Anointing of the Sick (with the laying-on-of-hands).
Security checks take place before entry to the Abbey. Find out more about security at the Abbey.
Large items, such as suitcases and large backpacks will not be admitted and there are no luggage facilities at Westminster Abbey.
Excess Baggage Company offers left luggage facilities at Charing Cross and Victoria stations, both within walking distance of the Abbey.
See the Excess Baggage Company website for more information.
Bags of any size with wheels will not be allowed into the Abbey as they can damage the floor.
Your safety is our priority
Please be aware that some areas of the Abbey are dimly lit and some chapels have low doorways. Much of the floor and many steps are uneven, so we recommend sensible footwear.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
There are no COVID-19 restrictions in place, but you can find out more about general Coronavirus guidance at the Abbey.
