Westminster Abbey Hidden Highlights

The information page on the Galleries says a lift is available for those with limited mobility. Would that help?

https://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/plan-your-visit/the-queens-diamond-jubilee-galleries

Lola,

Yes I saw that I just wasn't sure if that was the only stepped area or if the HH tour covers other stepped areas without lift access?

Also, is this the Verger Tour just with a new name?

It doesn't appear so as "Hidden Highlights" shows as a pre-bookable option on the Westminster site but the Verger Tour does not; you can't join one of those tours until you've already arrived at the abbey, and if there's room for you. They also don't make mention of seeing the Jubilee Gallery on the Verger tour like they do for "Hidden Highlights" so they're different tours.

Hidden Highlights tour (and how to book):
https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-events/special-tours-and-events/2021/october/hidden-highlights-tour

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

It's been a few years since I've done the Verger's tour and this is definitely different. The only duplication seems to be the Shrine of Edward the Confessor which the Verger tour visits also. The floor there is apparently very weak and can't withstand a lot of traffic so regular visitors are not allowed in there.

I'd also recommend you download the official audio tour which you can go back and do after your other tour.

I'm also wondering if it's only offered in the off season? Looks really interesting. I'd like to see those nooks and crannies!

Pam and Kathy,

This is all super helpful!! So the HH tour is more in depth than the Verger Tour?

Does it cover everything that the Verger Tour covers?

Any idea if you would first Tour on your own and then join HH?

THANK YOU SO MUCH

It does not look like they cover the same things. To me (and this is just conjecture) the HH tour might be something a repeat visitor might go for. The verger tour just covers the main things on the Abbey main floor. The plus is you've got a live person you can ask questions and they tell great stories.

I had trouble locating a map (possibly user error, lol) but here is a link for a Self-led tour for groups. The only difference is the Verger tour starts at the North entrance, does the stops in the order of 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 5.5 which is the Tomb of Edward the Confessor that's not shown on here, then 6 and on around with the rest of the numbers.

https://www.westminster-abbey.org/media/4518/self-led-groups-map.pdf

On your own, be sure to go to the College Garden if it's open for visitors. The restaurant/cafe there used to be pretty good. Obviously haven't been since pre-Covid but I assume it's still a good place to have a seat, a bite of lunch and continue to see things afterward.

Editing to add: I found this floor plan on Wiki. It's not better than the PDF above but it does show the chapel of Edward the Confessor.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Layout_Of_Westminster_Abby.svg

Thanks Pam!

We've booked the HH tour! We'll do the audio tour on our own first, then stick around for Hidden Highlights afterwards.

So excited!!

That sounds like a great plan! I love Westminster Abbey!

Hello...we are planning to be in London the first week in May but I see that the HH tours are listed only through April. Any insight if these tours will extend beyond April? Any advice on a tour guide vs. self-guided tour? Thank you! Have found these posts to be very helpful--appreciate and have learned from reading everyone's comments.

Hi Susan,

No way to know if they will be extended, but I'd expect them to have updated by now for May.

You could always keep checking, or you could try to get on a Verger Tour which was our original plan. Things are always changing, but when I last checked they were doing 2 a day, at 11 and 1130. They ask you to book admission for 30 minutes before the timeslot and then you see if there is availability then and pay the extra fee.

Hope this helps,

PQ

It’s interesting that nothing has been updated beyond April, not even music and worship events. Will keep watch!

Hi to another planning Queen. When is your trip? I am hoping to go in September and even though I have been to the Abbey many, many times this looks like a fun tour. I have done the Verger tour back in 2011 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Please update this thread after your trip and let us know how you liked it.