Has anyone taken a verger-guided tour at Westminster Abbey and can explain to me how you did it? According to the Abbey's website, "You can contact us 24 hours in advance to find out what times tours will take place". They also say, "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", "but a verger tour can only be booked when you arrive at the Abbey." So, will I be waiting in the ticket line regardless of whether I booked a general-admission ticket to buy a verger-guided tour? If so, what's the point of booking tickets early? The process is confusing me, so if anyone can clarify, I'd appreciate the insight.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8838 posts
Basically, you must buy your ticket to the Abbey first (either ahead of time or when you get there). Then once you enter the Abbey, you sign up for the verger tour. Tour times vary, but they want you to enter the Abbey and get in at least 30 minutes before the verger tour.
So for example, if you enter at 10 am, they want you to sign up for a verger tour that does not start until at least 10:30 am. If you want to find out when the tours are the day you go, just call them. Usually they are about every 30 minutes and the first one usually starts at 10 am.
ETA: This might help you understand it a bit better: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g186338-i17-k14755431-Verger_guided_tour_at_Westminster_Abbey-London_England.html
Posted by
West Coast
445 posts
If you ask when you get there for a ticket to the next verger tour, they’ll tell you what times are available. The meeting point is near that ticket entrance so if you’re permitted to get something that is sooner than a half hour wait, it’s not a problem to be on time. If you have time to wait before the tour, you’re permitted to walk around and see everything before the tour starts.
Posted by
2995 posts
We were told to sit in an area with folding chairs to wait. We waited maybe 15-20 minutes which I didn’t mind. It gave me a chance to take in the church.
Posted by
West Virginia
149 posts
Head to the desk as soon as you enter. The day I went (I had a 9:30 entry time), they didn't offer a tour at 10:30 so I had to wait for a bit before it started. I didn't mind at all. I had a walk around on my own and tea in the cafe. The tour was very informative. I especially enjoyed visiting the shrine of Edward the Confessor.
Enjoy the Abbey and Happy Travels!
Posted by
Chicago
79 posts
Lindsey,
I was just at the Abbey yesterday.
I booked a 9:30 entry time. I arrived at about 9:10 expecting to see a line to get in. Everyone was just hanging around. Suddenly the gate opened and people were rushing to get in line. I just followed the crowd. We waited about 5 min and they started sorting us into 2 lines, those with confirmed tickets and those who needed to purchase tickets. At 9:30 they let those of us with confirmed tickets inside.
Within 3 minutes I had booked the first Verger tour of the day at 10:30. The next tour was at 11am.
If you plan on taking the Verger tour, I would suggest you book the 9:30 Abbey admission, arrive about 20 minutes early to be one of the first inside. Then head straight to the booking desk for the first Verger tour. Most people just tour the Abbey with the audio guide.