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Westminster Abbey Lines & Tour

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We are booked to go to Westminster Abbey in June, with 9:30am (opening time) entry tickets. I have 2 questions about this:

  1. How early do I get there? I read about the long lines to get in, especially in summer, but do our timed tickets let us skip the line? Or should we still arrive 30 min or so in advance?

  2. We want to do a Verger tour, and I know you have to buy tickets there and they are very limited… anyone know how that works? Should I arrive earlier? Is the ticket line for that separate? I can’t find this info online.

Thanks for any info you have!

Posted by
32795 posts

Do you know about the new (this week started) optional extension to tours to go up on the roof - a special for acknowledging the Platinum Jubilee?

Will you be here at the beginning of the month, during the Platinum Jubilee events?

Posted by
1222 posts

You just mention to the guy at the front of the line that you already have tickets, he'll do his security check and in you go. Then by your verger tickets and yes they go fast.

Nigel-my sister and I changed our last city after our RS tour to London for the World of Stonehenge exhibit which we have tickets for. We have other time to use however. Please tell me more about the roof tour. Are the dates for it on the website.?

Posted by
904 posts

I just booked tickets for my husband and me in June. You select tickets for the regular tour along with the number of people and day and time. Then, you select "Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries" which is an extra 4.5 pounds.

Posted by
32795 posts

I haven't looked at the website. It was a special on the morning news yesterday or the day before.

I'm sure they won't hide it under a bushel.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks for the tip about the front of the line- that helps!

For the roof tour, all the slots for that sold out within hours of them releasing tickets, and sadly, I didn’t see it soon enough. The website says “there are currently no plans to add more dates,” so I think we are out of luck on that.

We have tickets to the Diamond Jubilee Galleries at the Abbey in addition to the entrance- looking forward to seeing that too!

Posted by
904 posts

Aren't the Diamond Jubilee Galleries what Nigel is referring to as the "roof"? If so, since you have those tickets you will be in the "roof". This is what I found (pardon the caps since I copied and pasted)
"THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE GALLERIES, SET SOME 52 FEET ABOVE THE ABBEY’S FLOOR IN THE 13TH-CENTURY TRIFORIUM, HAS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 700 YEARS
The triforium, tucked beneath the vaults, was built by Henry III and was for centuries unused except by the abbey’s maintenance staff, and in the modern age, television cameramen, who benefited from the bird’s-eye view needed for royal weddings and coronations."

Posted by
347 posts

When you get your ticket, you will be told when to appear.

Posted by
32795 posts

No, the roof was extra. Actually climbing around on top of the roof, walking on it, up close up and personal with the gargoyles, including upside down lions.

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