Our itinerary got messed up because Westminster Abbey was only open from 12-3 on Friday. It appeared to be a regular hour, not a closed temporarily kind of thing. I went back to all of my guide books and no one mentioned that... Also, I don't think it was open as late on the other days as it was mentioned. The boys missed RAF and I missed tea with my daughter because Westminster was on the must do list... Oh well. I could have sworn I even looked on their website. We would have done it first thing if I had known... Christine
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2787 posts
If you were using a RS guide book and it was misleading, there is a place on this web site, maybe under guide books, to send in any corrections. His group does make mistakes or omissions occasionally.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14735 posts
You know, even the website for the Abbey says 9:30-4:30 on Fridays. So maybe there was a special event? http://www.westminster-abbey.org/visit-us/opening-times/general-opening-times Pam
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
The Abbey, and most other cathedrals in the UK, are active churches, in one fashion or another. It doesn't hurt to call to verify visiting hours. E.g, last time I was in York I heard visitors complaining that they could not tour York Minster on Sunday morning.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33829 posts
On the website it gives: To assist longer term planning - the general opening hours are: MAIN ABBEY CHURCH Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm (last admission 3.30pm) Wednesday 9.30am - 7.00pm (last general admission 6.00pm, last group admission 3.30 pm) Saturday 9.30am - 2.30pm (last admission 1.30pm) June - September last admission 3.30pm
Sunday Worship only - No Tourist Visiting It also says if you are concerned about a specific opening to telephone. There is an interactive calendar to plan specific days, too.
Posted by
OP
Kilgore, TX
107 posts
Yes, I checked all of that before I went. And those Friday hours looked permanent as they were on the regular sign of hours. I'm not sure when they changed that!! I did so much research and it was all for naught. I wish hubby had agreed to miss Westminster. I wanted my fancy tea with my daughter.
Posted by
Spring, Texas
635 posts
Westminster Abbey has an on line calendar. I noticed on one Friday there wasn't an evensong. Most of the others I checked had them. What day were they closed at 3? Is it shown on the calendar? That would be good to know if it was or wasn't. WA had strange hours during the run up to the recent royal wedding with decorating and rehearsals.
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
The Queen's Jubilee celebration is coming up next week. Don't know if the Abbey is involved, but if it is, rehearsals might be the culprit.
Posted by
OP
Kilgore, TX
107 posts
It was Friday, May 20th.
Posted by
Spring, Texas
635 posts
According to the Westminster Abbey schedule Friday, May 20 was a normal day for services with a 5 pm evensong on the schedule. Whatever happened couldn't have been predicted. The last tour entry is 3:30 because of the evensong. If you tried after that you wouldn't have been allowed in. That effectively "closes" Westminster Abbey except for the evensong service.
Posted by
OP
Kilgore, TX
107 posts
Ok, but it was weird because on official looking permanant sign on the outside had the hours on Fridays being 12-3. So I'm not sure if this is something new or not. Anyway, just wanted everyone to be aware. Chrisitne
Posted by
Cherry Hill, NJ, USA
74 posts
The Queen's Jubilee is 2012, not this year.