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Westminster Abbey - Confused about Verger Tours and Timing

Posted by on

I'm researching different tours for WA and I have seen it mentioned a few times that Verger Tours are the best. But I'm a bit confused as to the process. Am I correct in understanding that I just buy a regular ticket online and show up 30 minutes before the tour and hope to get it? I can't even determine what time they start. I'm sure it's user error but I'm not clear on how to be sure I get in.

Also - when looking at buying tickets, there's a slot for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, and you need to choose a time for that as well. Would I schedule that for 90 minutes past the entry time, assuming I do get a Verger?

And lastly - I've seen a lot of posts saying to go early in the morning, but others say it's far less crowded in the afternoons. Any tips? Any info is much appreciated!

Edit: I'm so sorry about the cryptic WA! I meant to put more in the title which would have made much more sense. Apologies.

Posted by
1306 posts

It took me a minute to work out the acronym I have to admit.
The question is about Westminster Abbey, just in case anyone out there is as slow as me :)

Posted by
9261 posts

Kinda figured WA was for Westminster Abbey cuz it made no sense as a yank they’d be asking about touring the state of Washington ( WA ) in the England forum.

OP why can’t you decipher what time the tours start?

Posted by
1102 posts

This post has helpful info and should clear your confusion.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/westminister-abbey-01227ae2-814f-4dcf-80cd-d9a6d2f9c660

One particular post from Kathy:

This from the Abbey's info on the Verger Tour:

https://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/guided-tours

"Prices and how to book
For a verger tour, you’ll pay the Abbey entry price plus £10.
General admittance tickets to the Abbey can be purchased in advance online but a verger tour can only be booked when you arrive at the Abbey. When booking your tickets to the Abbey, please try to book your entry slot 30 minutes or so before the tour is due to start."

Posted by
169 posts

We visited WA in August. I found this somewhere on their website: "Verger tours can only be booked when you arrive at the Abbey. When booking your tickets to the Abbey, please try to book your entry slot 30 minutes or so before the tour is due to start.” The first tour starts at 10:30, but I don't know how many there are throughout the day.

I booked a 10 am entry slot, hoping for a 10:30 tour (which we got). When we entered the abbey and showed our tickets, I inquired about the Verger tour and it was there that we signed up. You get a little wrist band and are told where in the Cathedral to assemble (close to the entrance). There are no signs or advertisements for the tour, that I saw; you just have to know about them and ask. I have been to WA many times but never took the tour. I'm glad I finally did because it's excellent. Plus, you get to sit in the choir!

Posted by
3 posts

Hi everyone - thank you for the help! I can see on the site about getting there 30 minutes prior, but what I don't see is how many tours are offered and when. So I want to get the right slot so I have at least 30 minutes to reserve a tour, but if I get a 9:30 ticket and the next one is at 2pm, that won't work as well. And I was also unclear about the Jubilee Galleries - if the timing works out for the Verger tour and that's 90 minutes or so, how much wiggle room would I have to make the Galleries time slot?

I don't mean to be dense, it just seems more confusing than I anticipated.

Posted by
556 posts

Gingergirl, when we were there in June and had tickets to the Diamond Jubilee Galleries, they were very lax about the time stamp. I don’t know if they even checked the time to be honest. We got there a bit early than the time stated and they just ushered us in. Maybe it was the personnel there that day, but it was my feeling that as long as you had a ticket, you could enter pretty easily.

It’s amazing! Have a great time!!

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