Westminster Abbey was hugely crowded and chaotic arriving around 1pm per our tickets. Luckily, I saw that there were still spaces on the verger's tour at 1:30. It cost an extra 10 pounds but was so worth it. We drew Ben as our verger tour guide and he gave a remarkable tour full of history, explanations of different aspects of the abbey and amusing anecdotes. The tour was 90 minutes. It also permits entry to the tomb of Edward the Confessor which the regular ticket does not. Ben had served as a verger at the coronation and the wedding of William and Kate and had stories to tell from those events.
All in all, given the huge milling crowds in the Abbey I don't think I would have enjoyed it at all without being on the verger's tour.
Posted by
Land of La
9261 posts
Might want to cut and paste and put in the England Trip Report Forum.
Posted by
Arlington TX
606 posts
Very interesting, thanks for posting, grogman. I’ll be in London in February, adding this to my list.
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3575 posts
We had Ben as our verger last fall. Agree, on all points.
Posted by
Phoenix🌵
3097 posts
Thank you grogman, interesting report. I’m starting to plan next June’s trip and will add the verger tour to my England list.
Posted by
Port Angeles
169 posts
Thanks for sharing! I had a similar experience last August. We arrived at opening and booked a 10:30 am Verger tour. I have visited the abbey on several occasions, but was a bit overwhelmed by the crowds; it was absolutely packed. I was thankful to be led expertly through the throng to each point on the tour, and it was such a treat to sit in the choir! This fall we plan to do the Hidden Highlights tour (hopefully).
Posted by
Louisiana, USA
370 posts
I've done a Verger tour and I agree they are wonderful. Highly recommend!
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2013 posts
I took the Verger tour a few years ago & loved it. In 2022 I took the Hidden Highlights tour and recommend that one also. I just love Westminster Abbey and when in London I try to go to Evensong as it is not crowded. You only see one part of the Abbey, where the service is held, but it is a great experience.
Posted by
OP
63 posts
I went for evensong a few years ago. They do not let evensong attendees wander around the Abbey during or after the service. So you can't see the chapels, tombs or poet's corner at the evensong service.