Best of England in 14 Day Tour - Must Choose Between Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral

You will notice that the tours that start on Tuesdays always visit St Pauls rather than Westminster Abbey. The visit to the church is on day 12 which happens to be a Saturday for the tours that start on Tuesday. Westminster Abbey is closes for visitors at 1pm (and groups at noon) on Saturday afternoon

CORRECTED from Sunday to Saturday.

I have been to both religious sites more than once. They are both beautiful with much to see. My personal favorite is Westminster Abbey because it has more historical monuments, IMHO. But you can't go wrong with either one. I particularly like the Verger tour and the new Queen's Gallery at the Abbey.

Both offer Evensong services late afternoons most days - they are free to attend. So choose the tour based on which site interests you most, and then attend the service for the other site - it's a way to get inside and appreciate the interior without a major time commitment. Just note that it's a religious service, so you're expected to sit for the service and then leave - no wandering around before or after.

If you can only see one the answer is Westminster Abbey.

I agree with gparvin. If you can only do one, Westminster Abbey with its almost thousand years of history.

I concur. St. Paul is wonderful but I would opt for Westminster Abbey first in a heartbeat. I love that place!

It's interesting because St Paul's isn't open for the main floor of the Cathedral on a Sunday either.

Rather it is July to end September only from 1230 to 1400 only (so in between the end of morning services, and Evensong while leaving good time to clear the sightseers out before Evensong) and only for the three galleries (not the main floor of the Cathedral)- The Whispering Gallery, Stone Gallery and Golden Gallery- all at a reduced price of £13.50 pre book only (no tickets on the door). The Crypt cafe is also open.

The pre-book only is presumably to avoid "money changing in the temple" on a Sunday, and the lack of access to the main floor to preserve the sanctity of the day in the main body of the Cathedral. There is clearly an uneasy compromise going on here between worship and sightseeing.

Hands down I'd choose Westminster for its looooong history.

It is quite rare that a RS tour doesn’t have independent sightseeing time built into it. Are you sure that you wouldn’t have an opportunity to do both?

For me it was Westminster Abbey, but simply because of Poets' Corner.

I just made correction to my earlier post based on isn31’s comment. The RS tour visits on day 12 (Saturday) and Westminster Abbey closes at noon for group entry on Saturday so that is why St Paul’s is substituted.

I’ve been to London twice, and missed out on WA the first time. So glad I got in the second trip. The history and wood crafting is amazing.