Hello, trying to buy online tickets to these two sights. Hoping someone will answer my question. Is the timed entry for Westminster denote a finite time to visit? i.e. 11:30 to 1:30 slot means we would have to exit at 1:30? And if so does the Queen's Jubilee Gallery have to be done within that 11:30 to 1:30 times slot?
Thank you.
Posted by
UK
1015 posts
Hello - this may seem picky but Westminster is actually the name of a big part of London that includes a number of attractions - Westminster Abbey, the Palace of Westminster (Parliament building) and Westminster Cathedral.
I assume you mean Westminster Abbey but I just wanted to warn you to be specific when you’re in London.
Posted by
USA
281 posts
Yes Cindy, that's been my understanding when I went to Buckingham Palace, it was a time slot to visit and was led by a personable guide as a group, so we all left at the same time. When we went to the Queen's Gallery first, I don't recall being asked to move along at a certain time, but there's only so much time I'd need to see a couple of rooms of art, so I didn't think about staying longer. There was a gift shop inside that area so we could meander there too. When I went to Westminster for the Sept 11th anniversary service, we were told we'd need to stay through the whole service (I guess some people go inside and just want to look around as tourists and not actually attend the worship service, kind of bad form I guess :) so I've never taken that tour.
If I wanted to stay longer at a sight with a timed entry, I would email them if possible and ask if I were allowed to linger or not. It might (maybe) vary with the time of year and size of the crowds as well.
Have fun!
-Alison
Posted by
OP
Langley, Wa, Usa
72 posts
Thank you. I did mean the Queen's Jubilee Gallery in Westminster Abbey. Another forum responder stated that the timed slot is for entry and one may stay as long as one wishes. With this information I booked our entrance tickets to Westminster and the Gallery with a time that works for also experiencing Evensong after the Abbey closes for visitors. BTW, online booking was very easy with an attachment for printing tickets. This was also true for the British Museum "Around the World in 90 Minutes" tour and the weekend tour of Parliament.
Posted by
New England
702 posts
I visited last September. The time slot on your ticket is for entry; you can stay inside as long as you wish. You will choose a time slot when booking the Abbey admission ticket and another time slot for the separate additional admission to the Queen's Jubilee Gallery. I think I spent about an hour or 90 min inside the Gallery. The bird's eye view of the sights below was a real treat.
This was not part of your question, but do take a Verger Tour of the Abbey if you can. It's an extra 5 pounds, and you sign up at a desk just inside the Abbey entrance once you arrive. These tours are led by staff, done in small groups, are wonderfully informative, and go inside the shrine of Edward the Confessor which is otherwise off limits to the public because it is so fragile. Information on the Verger Tours is on the Abbey website. I think they last about 90 minutes.
Have a lovely visit!