Please sign in to post.

Tickets Needed for Evensong at Westminster Abbey?

Does anyone know whether we need tickets to attend Evensong at Westminster Abbey? I understand it is free, but I wonder whether, like at the Vatican, one needs tickets to be able to get in, and if so, where we would attain them.

And is this information below current, as far as days, times and such?:

"You can see inside Westminster Abbey for free. The Abbey never charges people who want to worship but they rely on admission fees from visitors to cover running costs. Evensong is the most beautiful of services where the Abbey choir sings. The Choristers of the Choir are educated at Westminster Abbey Choir School and are all extremely talented. Evensong is at 5 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and at 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays."

Posted by
7206 posts

No tickets needed. You just get in line and you will be let in beginning about 10 minutes prior to the service commencement. We just happened to be there in November and I got in line at about 4:30 while my wife was in the abbey store. We were 2nd in line. By the time the service started it got fairly crowded. No photos are allowed and no wandering around. We were seated literally beside the choir. The service lasted about 50 minutes. The times you stated are correct according to its website.

Posted by
2805 posts

You are able to go to Evensong wherever you want without needing a ticket. Evensong is so beautiful, we enjoyed Evensong at Canterbury Cathedral in September.

Posted by
7206 posts

Believe Robin meant to write “without” needing a ticket. We too went to the one in Canterbury.

Posted by
365 posts

Thanks for the great info!

Is it true, as stated above, that there is no Evensong on Wednesday evenings at Westminster Abbey, or is that a mistake? Another site claims Evensong is held 5 weeknights a week, but this one above omits Wednesday?

Posted by
16618 posts

Per Tom's post above, it's best to use the website of an institution or attraction itself for the most current/accurate information. There are some exceptions but they're the best places to start. Additionally, special services or events at almost ANY church can cause changes to a normal schedule, and those changes are often posted on "official" sites.

So use the link from the Westminster site (http://www.westminster-abbey.org/home) that jaimeelsabio provided. Regarding Wednesdays at the Abbey, this (from the website) explains why there's no Evensong:

http://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/wednesdays

The choir also has its own twitter page (open to non-twitter members to read) that notes their activity. For instance, they post that this week is half term for the school so services will be sung by the Lay Vicars, as the choristers are away.

https://twitter.com/WAbbeyChoir

Posted by
365 posts

Thanks for the info, Tom and Kathy. Fun to find out that tickets are half-price Wednesday afternoons.

Posted by
9261 posts

I'm curious, are you going to an Evensong for the music or for the location?

If it's the latter I must say Evensong at St. Brides in London is a wonderful experience. http://www.stbrides.com/calendar/

Just an FYI about Evensong at Westminster Abbey. Yes you get to see inside but you simply aren't allowed to wander around before or after the choral performance.

Posted by
365 posts

Thanks for the info, Claudia! I love to explore churches of all kinds. Which other churches in London would you recommend, for any reason? I love insider tips like this. I've never heard of St. Brides. Are there other interesting things to see near it? I mean, ALL of London is interesting, but I'm trying to lump as many interesting things together as possible, within vicinities.

We are also very interested in green spaces/parks/gardens/cemeteries in the London area. Any notable ones near St. Bride's?

Thanks for your help. I'd also love to dine at a café attached to a church. We don't have those here in the United States, that I know of, and I think they are a lovely idea!

Posted by
9261 posts

Thanks for thinking I'm an insider. Alas merely a Californian who has made many trips to London.

If you wanted to make a day to include St Brides you can add Temple church which is maybe 10 minutes away on foot. All of the below within walking and exploration distance.
St Olave's
Sir John Sloane's Museum
St Paul's
One New Change and the free POV of St Paul's from it's roof
Museum of London
Guildhall https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/visit-the-city/attractions/guildhall-galleries/Pages/guildhall.aspx
Leadenhall Market

As far as other churches there are many. This link provides a number of intriguing ones.
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/top-5-historical-churches-to-visit-in-london/

Personally I like St James of Piccadilly. Its where I buy Xmas cards if in London in November. I like the hidden small adjacent park where I can relax and sip my coffee from Cafe Nero.

Lastly I suggest you arrange a tour of Highgate Cemetary. One side is open to the public, the far more interesting side with Karl Marx's grave you must sign up for a tour these days.

Brompton Cemetary is intriguing.

And if you want a great park to explore, train out to Richmond Park. Could also check to see if Ham House would be open to visit. Its a National Trust property.

Enjoy your trip. Great city. Lots to see and do.

Posted by
33994 posts

yup, Claudia knows more about London than I do and I'm there a lot.

St Brides - where the steeple is where the wedding cake gets its shape.

Not far away is St James's Park where the wild bird collection is most interesting. Who'd have thought pelicans in London, for example?

Wild parrots in Hyde Park...

Posted by
9261 posts

I get whatever cards I find interesting. Nothing specifically about London to be honest. Each packet benefits different charities.

And thanks Nigel. Enjoy Dishoom next week!!!

Posted by
2805 posts

St. James of Piccadilly is very pretty inside. We were walking pass it everyday on the way to the tube, so we went in, glad we did.

Posted by
33994 posts

Many British churches sell Christmas cards for charity around Christmas. No fancy store, just a table with a few choices. Some do more. St James Piccadilly is particularly known for its year round work for charity, not only cards but used book sales and others.

Charities such as orphanages, childrens' aid, various disease charities like heart, cancer, diabetes, etc., rely on card sales and collection cans. If you walk past a collector at Christmas (or other times depending on the charity) consider dropping a few coins in the tin (now plastic with a slot in the top or a bucket) to help.